WMO President to Attend 70th Caribbean Meteorological Council in Turks and Caicos Islands

COCKBURN TOWN, Turks and Caicos Islands – President of the Meteorological Organization (WMO), Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, will attend the 70th session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council that gets underway here on Thursday.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous (File Photo) “The participation of the President of the World Meteorological Organization at our 70th Council is a landmark occasion for the Caribbean Meteorological Organization(CMO) and its member states. Equally important is the opportunity for our directors of Meteorological Services to engage directly with him on the operational realities and challenges facing their national services,” said Dr. Arlene Laing, Coordinating Director of the CMO.

“The Caribbean experiences many weather, climate and water-related hazards, which is why strong meteorological services are vital for public safety and economic development. We look forward to meaningful engagement with the WMO President and other key partners to strengthen our collaboration and resilience,” she added.

The CMO said that this is the first time a sitting WMO President will participate in a session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council, marking a historic occasion for the CMO and its 16-member states. The Council session will also celebrate Grenada, a founding Member State of the CMO, as the newest Member of WMO.

The two-day meeting will also be attended by representatives from the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), The University of the West Indies (UWI), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

“CMC70 creates a valuable opportunity for engagement at technical and policy levels,” the CMO  said in a statement, adding that “the anticipated dialogue will help to ensure that international programmes and initiatives respond to the practical needs of national meteorological services and the communities they serve”.

The CMO said that the participation of the WMO President is opportune for the Caribbean, as countries work to strengthen their resilience to complex weather, climate, marine and water-related risks.

“ For Caribbean Small Island States, reliable National Meteorological and Hydrometeorological Services are vital for protecting lives and livelihoods, safeguarding critical infrastructure, supporting key economic sectors and advancing sustainable development.”

The meetings take place against the backdrop of the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative, the strengthening El Niño conditions and its ongoing and potential impacts for the Caribbean, and the continuing need to translate global commitments into practical improvements in national warning services and regional support arrangements.