First Announcement of the Fifth Session of the Forum on Regional Climate Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction for Asia (FOCRAII)

Hangzhou, China, 6-8 April 2009

BACKGROUND &OBJECTIVES

Seasonal climate variations and changes have significant impacts on the welfare and sustainability of every society. This is particularly the case for the communities in RA II (Asia). The Asian region usually experiences high seasonal variability and change, including extreme events such as floods, typhoons, droughts, snow storms, etc. due to its geographic location relative to some of the key natural climate phenomena driving the climate of the region such as the monsoon and ENSO.

Almost 4 billion people, over 60% of the world’s population, live in this region and a large part live below the poverty line. Food and water security, poverty eradication, health, economic and development activities, all highly climate-dependent, are major challenges. These characteristics provide major challenges and opportunities for the scientific community to provide early warning of the onset of climate events, particularly extreme events, to prevent and minimize the impacts of climatic hazards and safeguard life and property of people and the environment in RA II.  

Major scientific advancements in understanding and predicting the onset of major climate events in recent years on seasonal to inter-annual timescales have provided the framework from which society can prevent or minimize the loss of life and property.

The FOCRAII held in China, cosponsored by CMA and WMO, was a response to address the needs of RA II for climate monitoring, assessment prediction and applications (CliMAP). From 2005 to 2008, four sessions of FOCRAII were successfully held, which provided a platform to share the experience of seasonal to inter-annual climate prediction methodologies and systems as well as prediction products for Asia. In addition, it is also one of the important activities of WMO East Asian Monsoon Activity Centre (EAMAC).

The main objectives of the Forum are:

1.         To review the progress made in CliMAP programmes and activities both regionally and globally with a specific focus on the challenges and opportunities in seasonal to inter-annual climate prediction methodologies and systems unique to RA II region.

2.         To provide a platform for the Members of RA II to share and exchange experience and knowledge on CliMAP.

3.         To build collaboration and partnerships among the Members of RA II in CliMAP programmes as well as other international partners and activities.

4.         To identify needs of end-users through a dialog among different groups. 

THEMES

Ÿ               Advances in seasonal to inter-annual climate prediction in Asia (including East Asian summer monsoon prediction);

Ÿ               Advances in East Asian monsoon studies;

Ÿ               Advances in climate system modeling in Asia;

Ÿ               Advances in climate monitoring and climate impact assessment;

Ÿ               Tailored climate products/climate information application and services;

Scientists, policy makers, forecasters and journalists will be invited to participate in this forum and to submit abstracts of presentations and posters related to one of the forum themes.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Chair: Dr. ZHENG Guoguang

XIAO Ziniu, ZHAI Panmao, LI Mingmei, CHAO Qingchen, LI Weijing, LUO Yong, ZHANG　Renhe,  ZHANG Xiaoye, HUANG Jianping, YANG Xiuqun, YAN Yuping, LI Qingquan

FOCRAII ORGANIZER

Beijing Climate Centre, CMA

Zhejiang Provincial Meteorological Bureau, CMA

WMO East Asian Monsoon Activity Centre

World Meteorological Organization

SPONSORS

The Forum is organized by the Beijing Climate Centre (BCC) and Zhejiang Provincial Meteorological Bureau of China Meteorological Administration (CMA), co-sponsored by WMO East Asian Monsoon Activity Centre (EAMAC) and WMO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology and State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs of PRC. The sponsors will cover meals and hotel costs for all participants during the session. There is no registration fee for the participants.

CONTACT PERSON

Mr. SUN Yuan

FOCRAII Secretariat

Beijing Climate Centre, CMA

46 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District

Beijing 100081, China

Telephone:     +86-10-68400093

Fax:              +86-10-62179859

Email:      sunyuan@cma.gov.cn 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Important Dates

1 March, 2009: Deadline for submission of nomination form

3 March, 2009: Issue the second circular

20 March, 2009: Deadline for submission of abstract

5 April, 2009: Registration in Hangzhou

6-8 April, 2009: FOCRAII

Venue

Hangzhou is the capital city of Zhejiang province, which is 180 kilometers to the southwest of Shanghai. As one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in China with a history of more than 1,000 years, Hangzhou is also well-known for its beautiful natural scenery, with the West Lake as the most well-known location. Further information about the meeting venue, hotels, visa application and local arrangements will be provided in the second circular and on the website.

Working Language

English

For more information, please visit the following website:

http://bcc.cma.gov.cn/en/FOCRAII2009/

Annex :

Fifth Session of the Forum on Regional Climate Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction for Asia (FOCRAII)

Hangzhou, China, 6-8 April 2009

PARTICIPANT NOMINATION FORM

The Government of                                            nominates the following candidate as a participant in the above mentioned meeting:

1.                  Family Name                                                                    

2.                  First Name                                                                      

3.                  Middle Name                                                                   

4.                  Gender (underline)        Male                    Female

5.                  Date and Place of Birth                                                           

6.                  Nationality                                                                      

7.                  Passport Number and Place and Date of Issue                                          

8.                  Passport Expiry Date                                                              

9.                  Place of the Chinese Embassy/Consulate/Visa Office where you wish to apply for the visa:

10.               Organization                                                                     

11.               Address of Organization:                                                          

Tel:                   Fax:                E-mail:                                                                           

12.               Present Position and brief description of duties                                                    

13.               Native Language:                                                                 

14.               English Level: Listening (Excellent/Good/Average )  Speaking(Excellent/Good/Average)

15.               Dietary instructions, if any                                                          

16.               Date of Arrival                                                                   

Flight Number                                                                   

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)                                                     

Date of Departure                                                                 

Flight Number                                                                   

ETD (Estimated Time of Departure)                                                  

17.               Name of Permanent Representative