Indonesian climate agency head explains strategy to face climate change before WMO representatives

Climate change mitigation and adaptation is one of the priority issues that should be the concern of all countries without exception.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Head of Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Dwikorita Karnawati, has emphasized that climate change issues would be one of her main focuses if she is assigned to be the President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for the 2023-2027 period.

“It is undeniable that the impact of climate change is a threat to the availability of water resources, food security, safety from hydro meteorological disasters and the welfare of all human beings in the world,” Dwikorita said during a diplomatic reception at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, recently.

Therefore, climate change mitigation and adaptation is one of the priority issues that should be the concern of all countries without exception, she said as quoted by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its official website on Tuesday.

“All WMO programs that have been running will continue to be implemented and further strengthened. However, breakthroughs and innovations are still needed so that people would be increasingly aware that the threat of climate change is very real and requires the cooperation of all parties,” she added.

Dwikorita Karnawati is nominated as President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for the 2023-2027 period.

The election for the President of the WMO for the 2023-2027 period will be held at the session of the nineteenth World Meteorological Congress (CG-19) which will take place on May 22 – June 2, 2023. The President of the WMO will be elected based on a majority vote by WMO members, consisting of 196 countries and six territories.

The diplomatic reception which was attended by around 30 representatives of WMO member countries in Singapore was opened by Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryo Pratomo.

At the event, Dwikorita explained the vision that she would carry out, namely ‘Realizing Weather-Climate and Ocean for Common Prosperity and Resilience of the World Community’.

To realize this vision, there are at least four missions she would carry out. The first is to continue to strengthen the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) by supporting the development of human resource capacity and infrastructure in member countries, especially for quality earth system observations, in order to improve the quality and accessibility of data and information on weather, climate, water, and other environmental services, which are delivered authoritatively (timely, reliably, and accurately), accessible, user-oriented, and in accordance with the goal.

The second is to continue to strengthen and/or accelerate the development of early warning for all.

The third is to continue to facilitate partnerships and collaboration to mobilize resources, in order to support the development of infrastructure and capacity of member countries, including by increasing the achievements of the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) Program.

The fourth is to continue to encourage the development of appropriate technology by taking into account local/customary knowledge, technology and/or wisdom to support ‘early warning and early action’ in Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Ambassador Suryo Pratomo emphasized Indonesia’s desire and commitment to continue strengthening WMO leadership in achieving the organization’s vision and mission, as well as developing international cooperation in exchange and utilization of weather, climate, water data and information, and other environmental issues to improve human welfare around the world.

“With her impressive credentials, integrity, experience, contribution and vision, the Indonesian government believes Dwikorita Karnawati would ensure Indonesia’s constructive and active role in WMO and respond current global challenges, and make a high contribution in achieving WMO’s vision and mission,” he said.

“As a women leader and scientist, the nomination of Dwikorita Karnawati as WMO president is expected to provide a new perspective on women’s empowerment, as well as inclusivity and gender equality within the WMO organization. We firmly believe that now is the right time for WMO to have its first female president,” the ambassador added.

Dwikorita Karnawati’s is the first female candidate for WMO president in history.

Reporting by Indonesia Window