General Director of the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration Tran Hong Thai

This was the first time a permanent representative ofVietnam to the WMO assumed such a position. The WMO, formally designated as aspecialised agency of the United Nations in 1951, has 187 member states and sixmember territories.

On the occasion, WMO Secretary-General Petteri Talasscongratulated Vietnam and pledged to offer maximum assistance to the Vietnameserepresentative in his new post for mutual benefits of the members.

He described it as an opportunity for Vietnam’s meteorologicaland hydrological sector to boost its engagements in the WMO, improve itsposition in Asia, and enhance capacity in natural disasters prevention.

The 35-member Region II covers a vast expanse of the Indian Ocean and part of the Pacific Ocean. It is home to a large and diverse range ofecosystems, including deserts, forests, rivers, lakes and seas.

Major challenges to the development of the region includemitigation of natural and environmental disasters, climate change and variability,water management, water resources management, land use and land degradation,energy availability, poverty alleviation and conservation of biodiversity.

Weather, climate and water observations are required toaddress these issues, which are of relevance for the present social andeconomic development as well as for that of future generations./.VNA