BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The ability to transform weather and climate information into timely and actionable decisions is not optional, it is essential. It is the key to safeguarding lives, protecting livelihoods, and building resilience across communities in the region.
The importance of transforming weather and climate information into timely and actionable decisions as Asean faces increasingly complex and intensifying disaster risks, amplified by climate change was highlighted by Permanent Secretary (Security and Welfare) at the Ministry of Home Affairs Salminan Burut at the opening ceremony of the Asean Cross-Sectoral Workshop on Enhancing Weather and Climate Information for Disaster Management and the 6th AHA Centre Information Management Network (AIM-NET) meeting.
He said, “In Brunei Darussalam, we recognise the importance of close coordination among disaster management authorities, meteorological services, and climate-related institutions.
We look forward to sharing our experiences and learning from the diverse practices of fellow Asean member states.”
The permanent secretary added, “This workshop, organised by the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) under the ASEANPRIME Project, builds on the outcomes of the Exchange Forum on Climate-Adaptive and Environmentally Sustainable Disaster Management held in Bogor, Indonesia in October 2024. That forum underscored the need to move beyond policy dialogue towards practical and operational approaches.
“In response, this workshop focuses on enhancing the usability of weather and climate information for disaster management. The strong participation of the National Disaster Management Organisations (NDMOs), Asean Sectoral Bodies, regional institutions, and development partners reflects Asean’s commitment to cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing climate-related risks.”
He shared, “Over the next two days, the workshop aims to strengthen shared understanding, facilitate knowledge exchange, identify operational gaps, and explore opportunities for co-developing user-driven weather and climate services, solutions that are both scientifically sound and operationally relevant.”
The Asean Cross-Sectoral Workshop on Enhancing Weather and Climate Information for Disaster Management and the 6th AHA Centre Information Management Network (AIM-NET) is co-organised by the National Disaster Management Centre with Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance in disaster management (AHAH Centre) from April 6 to 9.
Meanwhile, the 6th AHA Centre Information Management Network (AIM-NET) meeting which took place after the Asean Cross Sectoral Workshop aimed to strengthen cooperation among meteorology agencies in the Asean region to support the development of weather and climate change services are more united and effective.
High Commissioner of Canada to Brunei Darussalam Dr Tamer Mansy, Ambassador of France to Brunei Darussalam Eve Lubin, Executive Director of the AHA Centre Lee Yam Ming, and Team Leader and Counsellor of the United Kingdom Mission to Asean Anila Khan were in attendance. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
