F. Report of the Coordinator of the Regional
Working Group in light of the recommendations of
the Regional Working Group at its seventh meeting
14. The Coordinator of the Regional
Working Group, hosted by the Forecast Bureau of
the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), reported
on the Working Group’s activities since the
previous meeting. His report briefed the meeting
on meteorological-satellite-based activities in
China, Hong Kong, China, India, Japan, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Republic
of Korea, the Russian Federation, Thailand and Viet
Nam.
15. The Meeting was briefed on
the recent meteorological satellite launches and
future ones, particularly from China, Japan and
the Republic of Korea. It was advised that the MTSAT-1R
is scheduled to be launched in the spring of 2004
to replace GMS-5, and MTSAT-2 in 2004 as an on-orbit
back-up. The meeting was informed the satisfactory
operations of the Chinese FY series, both geostationary
and polar orbiting meteorological satellites.
16. The meeting was advised that
the main mission objective of the new-generation
meteorological satellites to obtain global sounding
of three-dimensional atmospheric thermal and moisture
structures would contribute rainfall prediction
to support global numerical weather prediction.
This, in turn, would assist more efficient flood
management in the countries.
17. The meeting was informed that
India has been operationalizing the use of meteorological
and remote sensing data in GIS platforms for supporting
pre-disaster, during disaster and post-disaster
scenarios. The Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO), a partner in the International Charter on
Space and Disaster, might expand its long lasting
cooperation with ESCAP in promoting a regional mechanism
for disaster support system for the region.
18. The Meeting noticed with appreciation
that some members of the RWG has established Internet
websites, which, other than providing professional
services, also create public awareness of the meteorological
satellite data applications through free access
to meteorological products and services. Public
access for cloud images through the Internet to
acquire a broad view of the weather situation is
most frequently related to preparation for outdoor
activities.
19. The meeting was advised that,
by using AVHRR data, the National Remote Sensing
Centre (NRSC) of Mongolia has developed methodologies
for snow mapping, vegetation condition (drought)
monitoring, dust storm detection, and forest fire
detection and monitoring. The NRSC has research
programmes on land-cover/land-use change detection,
pasture monitoring, drought and desertification
monitoring.
20. The Department of Meteorology
and Hydrology (DMH) of Myanmar uses storm detection
radar for effective cyclone tracking, storm intensity
estimation and warning, and hydrological forecasting.
The Kyaukpyu Radar helped to detect several cyclonic
storms and assisted in the reduction of human life
loss since its operational use.
21. The meeting was informed that,
at the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and
Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), besides
operational use of satellite data in meteorology,
various research topics, including rainfall estimation
from satellite images and determination of sea surface
temperature (SST), were undertaken. PAGASA operates
two ground receiving stations for high-resolution
data from GMS-5 and the Cloud Map and Process-based
System (CMAPPS), from China, which has the capability
to receive, process and display S-VISSR digital
data from FY-2.
22. The Russian Federation is a
good source of remote sensing data and products
acquired from Russian satellites to countries in
the region. Such products are offered for the purpose
of hazards monitoring, disaster management and environment
monitoring.
23. The Thailand Meteorological
Department (TMD) currently operates one WEFAX and
five MDUS stations to receive GMS-5 and NOAA data.
The one at the TMD headquarters was recently refurbished
for receiving data from the MTSAT series of satellites.
24. The Hydro-Meteorological Service
(HMS) of Vietnam has implemented the reception of
GOES-9 IR1 data through File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) server.
The HMS is planning to upgrade the receiving system
to be compatible with the MTSAT series of satellites.
G. Progress in the implementation of the
Strategy and Action Plan
(a) Regional Report by ESCAP
25. The ESCAP secretariat presented
a report highlighting the main activities and achievements
accomplished at the regional level in the past year.
Three focus areas of ESCAP were particularly emphasized,
namely poverty alleviation; managing globalization,
including bridging the digital divide; and tackling
emerging social issues in the region. The meeting
was reminded that the Regional Space Applications
Program for Sustainable Development (RESAP) would
continue to pursue its mandate in contributing to
the region’s sustainable development and improved
quality of life by promoting the applications of
space-based information and communication technologies
through regional cooperation. One priority of RESAP
is to promote the establishment of regional cooperative
mechanisms on space applications for disaster management.
26. The ESCAP secretariat organized
and serviced the meetings of four Regional Working
Groups and the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee
under the regional cooperation network on space
technology applications; developed and initiated
the implementation of three projects with the financial
and in-kind support from China, France and India;
organized two regional workshops to stimulate the
preparation of the region for the cooperative mechanisms;
continued the regional information service through
its two publications and website; conducted a study
on policy issues relevant to integration of space
technology applications with the information superhighway;
organized the fourth meeting of the Dialogue Forum
on Harmonization of Regional Initiatives for Space
Cooperation; and provided 39 fellowships to support
the training and education activities hosted by
China, India and Indonesia on a technical cooperation
among developing countries (TCDC) basis.
(b) Country reports by national contact
points
27. The meeting noted with satisfaction
that appreciable progress had been accomplished
at the national level, as summarized below by the
national contact points or representatives of member
countries.
China
28. The meteorological satellite
program of China consists of both geostationary
and polar orbiting meteorological satellite systems.
FY-2A, a GMS, has been moved to 860E as a backup
system to FY-2B currently in operation. The FY-2B
transmission is open to international users and
it transmits Visible and Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer
(VISSR) data every hour. The polar orbiting meteorological
satellite FY-1D was launched on 15 May 2002 and
all its subsystems are working well. As the primary
operational satellite, data from FY-1D have been
used in operational weather forecasting, land surface
monitoring, and global climate and environment monitoring.
The FY-3 series, the second generation of Chinese
polar orbiting meteorological satellites, is now
being manufactured and the subsystem is in the test
phase. It is expected that the first satellite of
the series will be launched in 2006.
29. The satellite data is operationally
utilized in meteorological applications such as
cloud parameters, cloud detection, snow cover monitoring,
and sea surface temperature; as well as in natural
disaster monitoring such as drought, flood and forest
fire monitoring. On top of these, QuickSCAT data
are used for weather forecasting and storm detection.
Japan
30. JMA implemented the backup
operation of GMS-5 with GOES-9 on 22 May 2003. Satellite
images for SDUS have been disseminated as before
the backup operation and high-resolution digital
data of S-VISSR are provided via the RSMC data server
of JMA.
31. The National Space Development
Agency (NASDA) successfully launched ADEOS-II in
December 2002, and plans to launch ALOS in the summer
of 2004 to monitor natural disasters as well as
the Earth’s surface environment. JMA has started
to use QuickSCAT sea surface wind data for monitoring
high-impact weather, including typhoons, and direct
assimilations of microwave sounders data from NOAA
15/16 in a global numerical weather prediction model,
and has obtained positive impacts in the forecast
performance.
32. Japan hosted the Third International
Seminar on MTSAT/LRIT Data Utilization held in Tokyo
12-14 February 2003 and plans two seminars on monitoring
and forecasting for typhoon disaster prevention
in Japanese fiscal year 2003 and 2004.
Hong Kong, China
33. The meeting was informed that
the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) operates ground
stations to receive images from GMS-5 and FY-2 geostationary
meteorological satellites in support of its weather
forecasting and natural hazard warning services.
In preparing for the transition from GMS-5 to GOES-9
in early 2003, HKO implemented special reception
facilities to receive images from GOES-9.
34. Starting from late 2003, the
Observatory conducted training courses for the public
and government officers on the basic principles
of remote sensing and on interpretation of satellite
and radar images. These courses received a very
good response.
Malaysia
35. The Malaysian Meteorological
Service (MMS) presented a study on the relationship
between sea surface temperature in the South China
Sea and ENSO using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data as
well as data from JMA. The study highlighted the
strong positive correlation of South China Sea SST
with the Eastern Pacific Equatorial SST.
36. Relating to the theme of this
Working Group Meeting, MMS presented to the working
group a study of the provision of products and services
for disaster management and the expectations from
the viewpoint of disaster management requirement.
Republic of Korea
37. Besides GOES-9 data, the Korea
Meteorological Administration (KMA) also receives
FY-2B and European Meteosat-5 data over Indian Ocean.
The data are used for the detection of dust sand,
fog, forest fires and other phenomena. KMA upgraded
its X-band receiving system for acquisition of direct
broadcast Aqua data in 2002 and has established
the Level 1B product generation system for Aqua/AMSR-E
in collaboration with NASDA. KMA will work on Level
2 geophysical parameter retrieval using Level 1B
data and will continue utilization of the data from
AIRS and AMSU sounding instruments.
38. The first and second COMeS
are scheduled for launch in 2008 and in 2014, respectively.
The first COMeS development program spans from 2003
to 2008. COMeS will be a three-axis stabilized spacecraft
and work a seven-year mission. Meteorological observation
data from COMeS will be distributed to worldwide
user stations, following HRIT/LRIT global specifications
defined as the standard data format.
39. Research activities in satellite
meteorology in KMA have continued to upgrade current
algorithms and develop new products. The improvement
of the current ATOVS algorithms for the retrieval
of vertical temperature and humidity profiles has
been done for both NOAA-16 and 17. Experimental
rain rate using AMSU data similar to the NESDIS
approach has been derived, especially for the type
of rain clouds associated with tropical cyclones
that approach the Korean Peninsula. For an efficient
operation of typhoon forecast, METRI/KMA has been
developing the Typhoon Analysis and Forecast System
(TAPS).
Thailand
40. Since the retirement of GMS-5
and because of a technical problem with compatibility,
GMS-5 satellite receiving stations in Thailand are
not receiving data from GOES-9. Presently, the stations
are acquiring the GOES-9 satellite images and other
relevant information from websites abroad.
H. Projects relevant to the Regional Working
Group
1. Monsoon monitoring and forecasting
41. The co-leader of the task force,
China, reported on recent research in China on analysing
the summer monsoon and ITCZ monitoring using GMS-5
TBB data at the onset of the monsoon in South-East
Asia. The results obtained so far are promising
and very good, when compared with conventional methods.
42. The meeting commended the work
of the task force and suggested that the task force
be continued and its work be reviewed at the next
meeting of the Regional Working Group.
2. Capacity-building for natural disaster
management
43. The secretariat briefed the
meeting on the activities of the Typhoon Committee
and the Panel on Tropical Cyclones in the past year.
The meeting was informed that both organizations
are willing to cooperate with this working group
regarding disaster management. The meeting was also
briefed on the preparations of a regional project
on a Drought Preparedness Network for Asia and the
Pacific. The proposed project aims to develop a
cooperation mechanism in the region to share information
and experiences in drought monitoring and an early
warning system in the countries involved. The initiation
of the network was endorsed by the United Nations
- International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
Expert Group Meeting in 2003. The member countries
were invited to participate in the proposed network.
44. The secretariat briefed the
meeting on the progress made in the implementation
of the project on capacity-building for disaster
management in Asia and the Pacific and the preparations
for its Second Phase. The meeting noted with appreciation
that the project aims at promoting operational use
of space technology to reduce damage due to natural
disasters and works towards establishing regional
cooperative mechanisms for strengthening national
capabilities for managing natural disasters more
efficiently – floods and drought in particular.
Towards these goals, the project involves space
agencies, information service providers and disaster
management authorities. The Regional Working Group
appreciated the support provided by China, France,
India and the European Space Agency supporting the
implementation of the project.
I. Special theme of the meeting: Natural
disaster management products and services
from meteorological satellite data
45. The last meeting of the RWG
agreed that regional cooperation on disaster management
should be enhanced to facilitate product development
and operational service provision, and agreed to
make the special theme for this meeting Natural
disaster management products and services from meteorological
satellite data. It was agreed that meteorological
services have benefited from existing standardized
products and services that should be easily accessed
and shared among countries. Because of the variety
of platforms, sensors, resolutions and processing
capabilities, a long-running issue for disaster
management authorities has been ways to obtain easy
access to consistent products and services from
all providers in the region.
46. Under this agenda item, preliminary
deliberations were conducted on current and planned
products and services of the RWG members; end-users’
requirements; the need for guidance on products
and services to reduce duplication; ways to provide
end-users with better awareness; and possible cooperation
activities on this topic.
47. The meeting agreed that the
experiences of meteorological services in standardized
products and services could be considered. Satellite
Earth observation information has been widely used
as an important tool for managing natural disasters
like flooding, drought and wildfire; however, for
operational services, there is a need for standardized,
relevant products and services.
48. The meeting agreed that a set
of generally agreed products and services should
be determined by the working group members with
disaster management authorities in the member countries.
To do so, a task force should be set up at the next
meeting. The meeting also agreed that China take
the initiative role to draft the concept of the
task force, including the terms of reference, work
plan and other relevant activities, to be considered
at the next meeting of the working group. A well-designed
questionnaire may be circulated among the disaster
managers to seek their opinions on the subject matter.
49. One of the major activities
of the task force might be to make initial investigations
on existing products and services. In the products
and services subject, the task force might concentrate
not only on products but also on effective communication
channels that could be established between providers
and the end-users. Timely delivery of the products
through broadband might be considered in the evolving
standardization of products for certain hazards
and disasters.
50. The meeting agreed that a clearinghouse
in each member country might be established for
standard products and services ready to be used
by the member countries. It was also noted that
language is a barrier that should be addressed when
making products available through the Internet.
51. The secretariat, in coordination
with the coordination office of the working group,
will inform member countries that were not present
at this meeting to invite their interest and possible
participation to the task force.
J. Tentative RESAP work plan for 2003-2004
52. The updated work plan for 2003
and the proposed tentative work plan for 2004 were
presented to the meeting. The meeting agreed on
the tentative work plan.
K. Venue and provisional agenda for the
ninth meeting
of the Regional Working Group
53. The meeting was informed by
the secretariat of the intention of India to host
the ninth meeting of the Regional Working Group
in India, subject to confirmation and approval by
the Government of India. The working group will
be informed of the exact venue and date in due course.
The meeting also noted that its next meeting and
the tenth meeting of the Regional Working Group
on Remote Sensing, GIS and Satellite-based Positioning
would be held back-to-back with the meeting of the
Intergovernmental Consultative Committee on RESAP.
54. The Regional Working Group
agreed that the provisional agenda of its next meeting
would include, besides exchange of information on
meteorological satellite applications and a review
of its programme of work and relevant cooperative
projects, a substantive item on the establishment
of a task force on natural disaster management products
and services using meteorological satellite data.
As the two-year term of the coordination office
will be expiring in 2004, the next meeting will
also decide on a coordination office for meteorological
satellite applications and natural hazards monitoring
to act as the nodal point for information flow to
and from the Regional Working Group.
L. Other matters
55. No other matter was discussed.
M. Adoption of the report
56. The report of the eighth meeting
of the Regional Working Group on Meteorological
Satellite Applications and Natural Hazards Monitoring
was adopted on 10 September 2003. The Regional Working
Group expressed its sincere appreciation to ESCAP
for organizing and providing the venue for the meeting
and for the friendly hospitality shown to participants.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
CHINA
Mr. Zhang Hongtao, Vice Director-General,
National Satellite Meteorological Centre, China
Meteorological Administration, 46 Zhong Guancun
South Avenue, Beijing 100081. Tel.: +86-10-6840-7250,
fax: +86-10-6217-2724, email: zhanght@nsmc.cma.gov.cn
Mr. Xu Zhe, Engineer, National
Satellite Meteorological Centre, China Meteorological
Administration, 46 Zhong Guancun South Avenue, Beijing
100081. Tel.: +86-10-6217-3894, fax: +86-10-6217-2724,
email: xu2j@nsmc.cma.gov.cn
JAPAN
Mr. Takuya Deshimaru, Assistant
Director. Office of International Affairs, Japan
Meteorological Agency, 1-3-4 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 100-8122. Tel.: +81-33-211-4966, fax: +81-33-211-2032,
email:
deshimaru@met.kishou.go.jp
MALAYSIA
Mr. Wong Kiat Kong, Director, Observation
Programme, Malaysian Meteorological Service, Jalan
Sultan, 46667 Petaling Jaya. Tel.: +60-3-7967-8086,
fax: +60-3-7958-8221, email: wkk@kjc.gov.my
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Mr. Kim Byung-Sun, Director, Remote
Sensing Division, Korean Meteorological Administration,
460-18 Shindaebang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-720.
Tel.: +82-2-841-7042, fax: +82-2-841-7045, email:
kimbs@kma.go.kr
THAILAND
Mr. Songkran Agsorn, Director,
Meteorological Instruments Division, Thai Meteorological
Department, 4353 Sukhumvit Road, Bangna, Bangkok
10260. Tel.: +66-2-393-1681, fax: +66-2-366-9415,
email: agsorn@yahoo.com
Mr. Pitan Singhasaneh, Head, Marine
Research Section, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology
Development Agency, 196 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak,
Bangkok 10900. Tel.: +66-2-940-5515, fax: +66-2-561-3035,
email: pitan@gistda.or.th
Ms. Supapis Polngam, Scientist,
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development
Agency, 196 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok
10900. Tel.: +66-2-579-0116, fax: +66-2-579-0116,
email: supapis@gistda.or.th
Ms. Soontaree Srisuwan, International
Relations Officer, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology
Development Agency, 196 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak,
Bangkok 10900. Tel.: +66-2-940-5662, fax: +66-2-561-3035,
email:
soontree@gistda.or.th
UNITED NATIONS BODY
United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD)
Yang Youlin, Deputy Regional Coordinator
of the Asia Regional Coordinating Unit of UNCCD,
United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue,
Bangkok 10200. Tel.: +66-2-288-2559, fax: +66-2-288-3065,
email: youlin.unescap@un.org
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre
(ADPC)
Ms. Ambika Varma, Information Manager,
P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120. Tel.:
+66-2-516-5900, fax: +66-2-524-5360, email: ambika@adpc.net
OTHER ENTITIES
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Mr. Dushmanta Dutta, Associate
Professor, WEM Coordinator, Regional Network Office
for Urban Safety (RNUS), School of Civil Engineering,
P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120. Tel.:
+66-2-524-5794, fax: +66-2-524-6059, email: ddutta@ait.ac.th
SECRETARIAT
Mr. Xuan Zengpei, Chief, Information,
Communication and Space Technology Division, United
Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok
10200. Tel.: +66-2-288-1466, fax: +66-2-288-1085,
email: xuan@un.org
Mr. Wu Guoxiang, Chief, Space Technology
Applications Section, Information Communication
and Space Technology Division, United Nations Building,
Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200. Tel.: +66-2-288-1456,
fax: +66-2-288-3012, email: wugu@un.org
Mr. Nokeo Ratanavong, Scientific
Affairs Officer, Space Technology Applications Section,
Information Communication and Space Technology Division,
United Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue,
Bangkok 10200. Tel.: +66-2-288-1458, fax: +66-2-288-3012,
email: ratanavong.unescap@un.org
Mr. David Hastings, GIS Officer,
Space Technology Applications Section, Information
Communication and Space Technology Division, United
Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok
10200. Tel.: +66-2-288-1457, fax: +66-2-288-3012,
email: hastingsd@un.org
Mr. Cihat Basocak, GIS Officer,
Space Technology Applications Section, Information
Communication and Space Technology Division, United
Nations Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok
10200. Tel.: +66-2-288-1523, fax: +66-2-288-3012,
email:
basocak.unescap@un.org
Mr. Le Huu Ti, Economic Affairs
Officer, Water and Mineral Resources Section, Environment
and Sustainable Development Division, United Nations
Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200.
Tel.: +66-2-288-1450, fax: +66-2-288-1059, email:
ti.unescap@un.org
Mr. Pak Sum Low, Regional Advisor
on Environment and Sustainable Development, Environment
and Sustainable Development Division, United Nations
Building, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200.
Tel.: +66-2-288-1620, fax: +66-2-288-1025, email:
low@un.org
