The Fourth Session of the Forum on Regional Climate Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction for Asia was held in Beijing from April 9th to 11th. On the opening ceremony, Xu Xiaofeng, deputy administrator of CMA, Leslie Malone from World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Xiao Ziniu, deputy director of National Climate Center gave welcome speeches respectively.

     Xu Xiaofeng extended a warm welcome to the delegates from different countries on behalf of hosts. He said the forum establishes a very timely platform for academic exchanges among meteorologists who are engaged in research and development and service of climate monitoring, prediction, and impact assessment from countries in the world, especially in Asia. The chilling damage occurred this January has made greater demands on short term climate forecasting, long term climate change forecasting, and reduction of damage caused by such natural disaster. The establishment of a comprehensive system of climate monitoring, prediction and impact assessment will offer a great opportunity for strengthening the ability of natural disaster prevention and mitigation in Asia or even around the world. The system is also of great importance for economic and social sustainable development of Asia and the world.   

    The Forum on Regional Climate Monitoring, Assessment and Prediction for Asia has been held annually since 2005. This session was co-organised by CMA and WMO. Meteorologists from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) from member countries of WMO, regional meteorological center of CMA, provincial meteorological bureaus, as well as experts from Chinese Academy of Sciences and concerned universities attended the forum.   

    In the next 3 days, near 100 delegates from WMO and other countries will discuss prediction of regional climatic trends, East Asia Summer Monsoon, and the draught and flood in 2008. They will also discuss the development of East Asia Monsoon. Meteorologists from NMHSs, regional meteorological center of CMA, and provincial meteorological administrations will also hold the operation and R&D training.（April 10）

By Ding Jiwu, Guo Zhanfeng, Sun Yuan

      Editor Xu Hui, LiXin