On May 22, local time, the 19th World Meteorological Congress opened in Geneva, Switzerland. Representatives from agencies and 160 members of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) , and relevant international organizations took part in the Congress. Dr. ZHANG Zuqiang, deputy administrator of China Meteorological Administration (CMA) attended the Congress.

The 19th World Meteorological Congress opened. Photoed by ZHANG Yong

In the opening ceremony, WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petri Talas reviewed WMO's achievements over the past four years. The Early Warnings for All initiative is one of the top strategic priorities at Congress. He called for further strengthening capacity development in terms of risk assessment, monitoring and forecasting, defense and response, information dissemination and others.

The High Level Dialogue on Early Warning for All was held that morning. Heads of United Nations agencies and representatives from countries in Africa, Americas and other regions gave speeches. In a video, Ambassador Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said that the Chinese government fully supports the Early Warning for All initiative launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Through years of practice, China has established a meteorological disaster prevention and mitigation mechanism which is featured by government-led, early warning first, departmental linkage, and social participation, with a 97.7% public coverage rate of meteorological warning information. China is willing to continue to share its practice and experience and contribute to the Early Warnings for All initiative.Ambassador Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, delivered a video speech at the National High-level Dialogue on Early Warning for All. Photoed by LI Zishuo

In his speech at the conference, Dr. ZHANG Zuqiang talked about China's recent successful launch of the precipitation measurement satellite, Fengyun-3G, whose data products will be shared globally. ZHANG Zuqiang expressed China's willingness to support WMO members through Fengyun meteorological satellites and the World Meteorological Centre Beijing，and to make full use of the multi-sectoral cooperation mechanism under the framework of South-South cooperation to help developing countries improve their early warning capabilities.

The World Meteorological Congress is the general assembly of delegates representing all Members (States and Territories) that meets in ordinary sessions once every four years. The conference will adopt the WMO 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, promote the implementation of the Early Warning for All initiative in the global meteorological field, and make a series of strategic arrangements in the areas of Earth system observation and forecasting, industry services, scientific research and capacity building. At the same time, the Congress will elect WMO President and Vice President, members of the Executive Council, appoint a new WMO Secretary-General of WMO, and adopt a budget for financial expenditures for the next four years.

The High Level Dialogue on Early Warning for All was held that morning. Photoed by LI Zishuo

Reporter: ZHANG Yong, LI Zishuo