Kick-Off Meeting: RA II Pilot Project on Public-Private Engagement for Smart Meteorological Services in Mega-Cities (PPE-SMSC)
The WMO RA II Pilot Project on Public-Private Engagement for Smart Meteorological Services in Mega-Cities (PPE-SMSC) officially started with an online meeting on 25 February 2022. Attendees included representatives from Regional Association II (RA II), Technical Commissions, and project hosts who reviewed the project design, progress, governance structure, workplan, and timeline, marking a significant step in this innovative initiative.
Project Hosts and Goals
PPE-SMSC is jointly hosted by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG). The project responds to the 2019 Geneva Declaration “Building Community for Weather, Climate and Water Actions” by aiming to develop integrated urban meteorological, climate, and water services using the PPE model.
Project Significance and Duration
Approved at the Seventeenth Session of RA II in 2021 (RA II-17), PPE-SMSC is the first regional pilot project of its kind. It is designed to produce deliverables that can be replicated and expanded to other regions. The project is planned to run for four years following the RA II Operating Plan (2021–2024).
Opening Remarks
Dr Abdulla Al Mandous, president of RA II, and Dr Wenjian Zhang, Assistant Secretary-General of WMO, expressed sincere appreciation and strong expectations for the pilot project during the kick-off meeting.
Author's summary: The PPE-SMSC pilot initiative represents a groundbreaking regional effort to enhance urban meteorological services, aiming for scalable success across multiple regions over a four-year period.