Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Petteri Taalas has proposed Vietnam soon appoint a permanent representative to the organisation. 

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (R) meets Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Petteri Taalas

At a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung in Hanoi on February 27, Taalas said Vietnam absolutely has the ability to play an important role in improving global capacity for warning and responding to climate change. 

Sharing devastating losses caused by natural disasters in Vietnam over the past years, the WMO Secretary General stressed that to effectively cope with natural disasters, Vietnam needs have trust-worthy early warning capacity and modern technologies. 

He suggested Vietnam continue to prioritise human resources for the hydro meteorological sector, and pour more investments in mobile and modern observatories. 

The WMO stands ready to help the country mobilise resources in this field, he said, suggesting the country soon complete a legal framework to mobilise more social resources.

At the meeting, Dung called for more assistance from the WMO to Vietnam in developing human resources and improving the country’s hydro meteorological forecasting and monitoring capacity. 

The Deputy PM also asked the organisation to help Vietnam access the global database and modern forecasting technologies, and improve its capacity to provide climate services, while supporting the country in international cooperation in hydro meteorology, climate change and other relevant spheres. 

Vietnam is one of the countries hardest hit by natural disasters, climate change and sea level rise, he said, adding that the country is always ready to fully implement international commitments to preventing and mitigating risks caused by natural disasters. 

Vietnam has prepared to become a flashflood warning guidance centre of Southeast Asia and actively participated in international cooperation and activities of the organisation, he said.-VNA