WMO strengthens the development of the Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology of Panama,
Panama’s Minister of Environment, Milciades Concepción, together with the General Manager of the Electric Transmission Company S.A. (ETESA), Carlos Mosquera Castillo, the representative of the National Water Council (CONAGUA), Leonidas Rodríguez and Luz Graciela Calzadilla, Director of Hydrometeorology, receive the findings and recommendations made by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), under the auspices of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Panama’s Minister of Environment, Milciades Concepción, together with the General Manager of the Electric Transmission Company S.A. (ETESA), Carlos Mosquera Castillo, the representative of the National Water Council (CONAGUA), Leonidas Rodríguez and Luz Graciela Calzadilla, Director of Hydrometeorology, receive the findings and recommendations made by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), under the auspices of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The session served to discuss with representatives of the institutions that use the country's hydrometeological services to ensure that the proposals were in accordance with the needs and requirements of the various institutions.
"We feel like one of the parents of IMHPA," said Eng. Mosquera. ETESA is supporting the birth of this institution that must offer a service that supports the growth of strategic economic sectors of the country, such as aeronautics, navigation, electricity generation, agriculture, risk reduction, among many others.
"A country without hydrometeorological data and information does not progress, a country without reliable data cannot plan ahead," said Minister Concepción, as President of the Board of Directors of IMHPA. The Minister announced that the building where the IMPHA will be located in the Albrook area has already been permanently assigned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and its remodeling is already in the public procurement system.
The CONAGUA representative thanked the WMO and the IDB for their support to advance the 2020-2024 Sectoral Work Plan, in line with goal 3 of the National Water Safety Plan.
The IDB highlighted the importance of making investments in the hydrometeorological field and identified Panama as successful case study to be followed with potential of replication at the regional level. Likewise, the IDB indicated its willingness to support the implementation of the roadmap that identifies the priorities of attention.
On behalf of WMO, Rodney Martínez, WMO representative for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, highlighted the contribution of this consulting work to the regulatory process of the Ovigildo Herrera Marcucci Institute. Mr. Martinez mentioned that institutional integration should be encouraged, since a joint response by government institutions will strengthen the institute and its services.
For more information: