Opening Remarks ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee 20th Integrated Workshop / High-Level Forum
Macao, China
Distinguished delegates,
Excellencies,
Colleagues and friends,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to join you at this 20th Integrated Workshop and High-Level Forum of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee.
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Macao, China, to ESCAP, and to the Typhoon Committee Secretariat, for organizing this important gathering. I also extend my thanks to all Members of the Typhoon Committee for their continued commitment and cooperation to saving lives and livelihoods, and fostering sustainable development.
A Region of Shared Challenges — and Shared Success
The Asia-Pacific region faces the most intense and frequent typhoon activity in the world. Record-breaking rainfall, storm surges and floods displace millions and cause billions of dollars in economic losses. Yet, amid these challenges, there are also inspiring stories of progress:
- Early warnings that reached the most vulnerable and led to early action;
- Regional data sharing and collaboration;
- And recovery efforts that built back stronger.
The Typhoon Committee has been at the centre of these achievements. The Integrated Workshops are more than meetings, they are milestones in our collective journey toward a safer, more resilient Asia-Pacific.
Shaping the Future through Innovation
The theme of this year’s workshop, “Shaping the Future: Applying Innovation to Actions Addressing Typhoon Challenges and Opportunities” is very timely.
We live in an era of rapid technological change. Artificial intelligence, satellite observations, high-resolution modelling, and data integration are reshaping how we predict and respond to weather extremes. Innovation is not only about technology, but also about partnerships, governance, and community engagement.
In this context, WMO is working to ensure that innovation serves everyone, not just those with the most resources.
Through the Early Warnings for All Initiative, launched by the United Nations Secretary-General and implemented by WMO and its partners, we are striving to ensure that every person on Earth is protected.
This global effort aligns perfectly with the mission of the Typhoon Committee. You are proof of how regional collaboration supports global goals.
Closing Gaps and Creating Opportunities Together
The second theme of this meeting, “Closing Gaps and Creating Opportunities Together: Developing the Typhoon Committee’s Future Strategy” invites us to reflect on the next chapter of the Committee’s work.
Despite significant progress, gaps remain, in capacity, in data coverage, in the translation of forecasts into action, and in financing. Addressing these disparities is not only a matter of fairness, but also of collective strength. The safety of one nation often depends on the data and decisions of its neighbours.
Therefore, the future strategy of the Typhoon Committee must build on three pillars:
- Integration, strengthening the linkages among meteorology, hydrology, and disaster risk reduction under a unified operational and institutional framework.
- Inclusion, ensuring that no Member and community is left behind, by expanding technical support, training, and resource mobilization.
- Innovation, embracing emerging technologies and cross-sectoral partnerships to deliver services that are timely, targeted, actionable, and trusted.
WMO stands ready to work closely with ESCAP and all Committee Members to ensure that the new strategic plan reflects both regional priorities and global frameworks.
Partnerships for Resilience and Shared Vision
No single institution or country can tackle the challenges of typhoons and climate extremes alone. Regional mechanisms like the Typhoon Committee are proof that when we act together, we amplify our impact.
Finally, let us remember that this workshop is not only about science and policy; it is about people, the communities who stand in the path of storms, the farmers who depend on seasonal forecasts, and the young professionals who represent the next generation of meteorologists and disaster managers.
As we shape the future strategy of the Typhoon Committee, let us aim to build not just better systems, but stronger and more resilient communities. Let us commit to empowering youth, supporting women in science, and integrating local knowledge into our decision-making.
In doing so, we will create a Typhoon Committee that is not only technically excellent, but also inclusive, forward-looking, and prepared in every sense.
Thank you.
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