11th Meeting of RIMES Council 20-22 January 2020, AIT Conference Center Auditorium

AIT Campus, Pathumthani, Thailand

Day 1 Jan 20, 2020

08:45 – 09:30 Registration

09:30 – 10:00 Opening Session • Welcome • Participant introductions • Address by Chairman of RIMES Council • Overview of the agenda • Secretariat’s Report • Welcome to the new Member countries –Afghanistan, Nepal, and Somalia

10:00 – 10:30 Group photograph & Tea/Coffee break

10:30 – 12:00 Session 1: Portfolio of RIMES Services

The objective of this session is to take stock of RIMES delivery of value-added services and its future plans to meet existing and emerging demands of Countries. This will help setting the context of subsequent discussions.

• Evolution and future directions – an overview: Dr. G. Srinivasan, RIMES (10 min)

• Forecast integration platforms – Impact based Forecasting and DSS: Mr. Itesh Dash, RIMES (20 min)

• Flood forecasting services: Dr. Anshul Agarwal, RIMES (20 min)

• Longer term climate change: Dr. S. Jothiganesh, RIMES (15 min)

• Ocean and coastal services: Ms. J Elaine Layug, RIMES (15 min)

• Q and A (10 min)

Coordination/Participation: RIMES Program Unit

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch

13:00 – 15:00 Session 2: Institutional mechanism to leverage services

The session aims to share experiences of selected countries: RIMES Technical Support Unit within Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and Sri Lanka (Water Resources: Irrigation Department) and PNG (National Weather Service) that leveraged RIMES mechanism to establish impact based forecasting services and risk based

Coordination/Participation: BMD Bangladesh, DOI Sri Lanka, INAM Mozambique, NWS PNG, DGM Madagascar, Nepal , DG DHM and Pakistan , DG, PMD

early warning systems. The presentation in this session could help countries for establishing user interface institutional mechanisms with in NHMS or Disaster Management agencies by drawing experiences from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

1. Institutional innovations to leverage RIMES portfolio of Services: Ms. Carlyne Yu, RIMES (10 min) • National Climate Application Centers for Impact

based Forecasting and DSS o Sri Lanka: Mr. Mohanarajah Seenithamby,

Director General, Department of Irrigation, Sri Lanka (15 min)

o Bangladesh: Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed, Director General, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (5 min)

o Nepal : Mr. Saraju Baidya Director General, Department of Hydrology Meteorology ( 5 Min )

o Pakistan Dr.Muhammad Riaz, Director General Pakistan Meteorology Department ( 5 Min )

• Mozambique and India collaboration: Director General, Mozambique National Meteorological Institute, Mozambique (10 min)

2. Sub-regional Hubs /Centers: Status Reports [Annual Action plan for the Hubs and its operations (staffing and costs), requirements, mechanisms] (20 min)

Sri Lanka: Mr. Mohanarajah Seenithamby Director General, Department of Irrigation, Sri Lanka (5 min) PNG: Mr. Samuel Maiha/ Mr. Jimmy Gomoga, National Weather Service, PNG (5 min) Madagascar: Dr. Nirivololona Raholijao, Director General, Direction Générale de la Météorologie, Madagascar (5 min)

Open discussion

15:00 – 15:30 Tea/Coffee break

15:30 – 17:30 Session 3: Country Statements 4 minutes (maximum) each (oral statements only) on key expectations from RIMES for 2020 to establish National Climate Information Application Centers with in NHMS based on Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and PNG experiences. DGs and PRs with WMO of

1. Afghanistan, 2. Bangladesh, 3. Bhutan, 4.China, 5. Cambodia, 6. Comoros, 7. Djibouti, 8. Fiji, 9. India, 10. Kenya,11. Lao PDR, 12. Nepal, 13. Madagascar, 14.

Coordination/Participation: All DGs

Maldives, 15. Mauritius, 16. Mongolia, 17. Mozambique, 18. Myanmar,19. Pakistan, 20. Philippines, 21. Seychelles, 22. Sri Lanka, 23. Somalia, 24. Sudan, 25.Thailand, 26. Timor Leste, 27. Tonga, 28. Uzbekistan, 29. Vietnam, 30. Yemen

Discussions

17:30 – 17:35 Summary and Closure

18:30 Welcome Dinner

Day 2 Jan 21, 2020 09:00 – 10:00 Session 4: Evolving institutional partnerships

UNESCAP, WMO and World Bank and UKMO ARRCC evolved innovative instruments to leverage RIMES mechanism to deliver sustained Hydro-met services to RIMES Countries. This session will help countries and other Development Partners to reflect and replicate institutional best practices based on discussion.

• UN ESCAP – South Asia forum on Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs) – Disaster and Climate Resilience theme linked with World Bank, WMO and RIMES South Asia Hydro-met Forum (SAHF): (10 min)

• World Meteorological Organization (WMO) World Bank South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) activities – WMO: Mr. Abdoulaye Harou, WMO (10 min)

• World Bank : Climate Adaptation and Resilience for South Asia ( CARE ) World Bank (tbd) /RIMES ( 10 Min)

• UKMO ARRCC: Dr. David Corbelli, UKMO (10 mts) • WFP, UNEP, and UNDP: TBD (10 min) • Discussions (10 min)

Coordination/Participation: UNESCAP, World Bank, WMO, UKMO

10:00 – 10:30 Tea/Coffee break

10:30 – 12:00 Session 5: Science & Technology Innovation

This session will deliberate on recent advances in forecasting and technologies to shape future regional cooperation to enhance NHMS capacities to provide value added services to risk management in user sectors. The potential support from leading global and regional centers will be presented and discussed.

• Recent advances and future strategies in forecasting by ECMWF: Dr. Fabio Venuti, ECMWF (20 min)

• Advances in cyclone/typhoon track and storm

Coordination/Participation: ECMWF, IMD, RIMES

surge prediction for the region by IMD: Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, IMD (20 min)

• Development of FOCUS Seasonal prediction tool: Mr. Itesh Dash / Mr. Jie Qiu, RIMES (15 min)

• Hydro-Met DSS and Climate services: Dr. Anshul Agarwal/ Mr. Uttam Ghimire, RIMES (15 min)

• Discussions (20 min)

12:00 – 13:00 Lunch

13:00 – 14:00 Session 6: Discussions in Breakout Groups

Regional cooperation promoted and supported by Development partners have demonstrated benefits to enhance capacities of NHMS’s to provide user-oriented services leading to resilient societies. The session would take note of ongoing collaborations and needs to further enhance them for supporting sub-regional activities of RIMES.

• Group discussion Breakout groups - Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, Pacific SIDS

Coordination/Participation: RIMES, WMO, World Bank

14:00 – 15:00 Breakout Groups presentations

• Africa • Central Asia • South Asia • South East Asia • Pacific SIDS

Open Discussions

Coordination/Participation: RIMES

15:00 – 15:30 Tea/Coffee break

15:30 – 17:00 Session 7: Future Plans, Road Map for 2020-2030 • Master Plan 2021-2025 and Annual Plan 2020: Ms.

Lolita Bildan, RIMES • 4th RIMES Minister’s Conference in Sri Lanka: Mr.

Mohanarajah Seenithamby, Director General, Department of Irrigation, Sri Lanka

• Open discussion • Resolutions

Coordination/Participation: RIMES, DoI Sri Lanka

17:00 Close for the day

Day 3 Jan 22, 2020 09:00 – 10:15 Session 8: Green Climate Fund (GCF) Initiatives

RIMES and UNEP signed Cooperation Agreement and applied in mobilizing Resources from GCF. This session will highlight salient features of UNEP and RIMES partnership process. The discussions in this session will help to mobilize GCF resources for GFCS and Multi–Hazard Early System focused priority areas through a tripartite institutional mechanism: UNEP, RIMES and NHMS/NDAs.

• Background: Ms. Carlyne Yu, RIMES (5 min) • UNEP collaborative proposals: Mr. Jochem

Zoetelief, UNEP (20 min) • Best practices: Ms. Hanan Magzoub Hag Ahmed Rabbah, Director General, Sudan Meteorological Authority; Mr. Terencio Fernandes Moniz, Director, NDMG, Timor Leste (10 min)

• Discussions for possible replication in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Lao PDR Madagascar, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, PNG, Uzbekistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka – Director General of NHMS (3 min each)

Coordination/Participation: UNEP, RIMES

10:15 – 10:30 Tea/Coffee break

10:30 – 12:00

(Parallel Session)

Visit to RIMES EWS Centre and Bilateral Meetings

10:30 – 11:30

(Parallel Session)

Meeting of the executive management group: South Asia Hydromet Forum on operational forecasting and service delivery

Coordination/ Participation: RIMES, World Bank, WMO, NHMSs of South Asia

11.30 – 12.00

(Parallel Session)

ARRCC project countries meeting Coordination/ Participation: RIMES, UKMO, ARRCC project countries

12:00 – 12:30 Summary and Close for the day

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch/Close for the day

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LOGISTICS NOTE FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. Immigration Requirements

Please check with the Thai Embassy in your respective countries for individual country visa requirements. If an additional letter issued by RIMES would be required, please let us know.

2. Arrival and Airport Transfer

On arrival at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Participant shall go through Immigration Check. Make sure that the arrival and departure cards, which were given as one set by the airline cabin crew, are properly filled-in. These, along with your passport, which is turned to the Thai visa page, shall be presented to the Immigration Officer. The Participant is advised to keep a printed copy of the invitation letter and the return ticket, in case the Immigration Officer requests for these.

The Participant shall then claim his luggage. Check from the electronic arrival board the baggage belt from which to collect the luggage.

The Participant shall then proceed to the Green lane of the Customs Check, and on to the Meeting Point near Exit No. 3, where our driver, bearing the RIMES placard, is waiting to meet and convey you to the accommodation arranged for you at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Distance from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to the AIT Campus, where RIMES is located, is approximately 65 km, with travel time of about 50 minutes (refer to map).

For your return journey, transfer from AIT to the airport is arranged in consideration of your time of departure.

3. Accommodation

Accommodation has been reserved for you at AIT Conference Center (AITCC, http://aitcc.ait.ac.th/), AIT Campus, Paholyothin Road, Klong Nung, Klong Luang, Pathumthani. The driver will assist you in the check-in procedure.

Check in date: 19 January 2020Check out date: 23 January 2020

Extended booking for participants who wish to arrive before 19 January 2020 and stay after 23 January 2020 for personal reasons could be arranged on participants’ personal account.

For the non-sponsor participants recommended to book in the AITCC or request RIMES to assist in booking the room in AITCC.

4. Meals

A la carte meals shall be provided at the Dining Room of AITCC during your stay. Please inform the Dining Room staff of your room number. Buffet lunches shall be served during 20-22 January 2020.

Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Program Unit/ Early Warning Facility 2nd Fl. Outreach Bldg., Asian Institute of Technology Campus, P.O. Box 4 Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand (t) +662 516 5900 to 01 (f) +662 516 5902 (e) rimes@rimes.int (w) http://www.rimes.int

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5. Per Diem

Incidental allowance of USD 80 per day in Thai Baht equivalent using UN exchange rate shall be provided.

6. Meeting Venue

The 11th Meeting of the RIMES Council shall be held at the AITCC Auditorium, located at the lobby of the AITCC.

7. Weather

Weather in January, daytime temperatures usually reach 32°C in Bangkok, Thailand in January with high heat and humidity, falling to 21°C at night.

8. AIT Campus Facilities and Services

AIT is a green residential campus, with conference, recreation, and living facilities. Access the interactive campus map at http://www.ait.ac.th/campusmap#.V2js81da4aU

Computer and Internet access. Participants can connect laptops to the network in the meeting room, accommodation room, or at the AITCC lobby.

Dining facilities on campus. AITCC Dining Room, open from 07.30 to 22.00, serves Thai and western food. The Student Cafeteria, open from 07.00 to 20.30, offers a variety of Thai, Indian and Western Food. A meal in the cafeteria costs about THB 60 (USD 1.8). The Student Union Snack Bar, located near the Student Cafeteria, is open from 07.00–22.00 and serves Muslim, Vegetarian, Indian and Fast Food. The Park Restaurant, located in the Golf Course area at the ground floor of the Golf Course Club House, is open from 09.30 to 24.00h and serves Thai and Western food.

Shops on campus. There are several small shops on campus where you can get basic supplies for daily use, but choice may be limited. The Lawson Shop is a 24/7 convenience store located near the Student Cafeteria. A grocery store, located near the Interlab and open from 10.00 to 23.00, sells fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as various canned products, spices, snacks, dry goods, and cleaning supplies. There are also several shops within the AITCC Arcade – bakery, grocery shop, clothing and shoe store, bookstore, tailor shop, hairdresser shop, computer shop, and a traditional massage parlor. The administrative block also has a coffee shop and travel agent. The bookstore is located next to the AITCC from where you can buy newspapers, magazines, books, city maps, stationery, cards, small gifts, etc.

Post and telecommunication services. There is a sub-post office in the AIT Administration Building behind the travel agency. Service hours are from 09.00 to 16.00 Monday to Friday. Telex and fax services are available at the Communication Centre, located in the Administration Building Lobby, from 07.30 to 22.00. Long distance or overseas telephone calls can be arranged through the AIT telephone operator at the Communication Centre, or through the AITCC (with a nominal service charge). International telephone cards are also available at the bookstore. These can be used for international calls near the AITCC Reception Counter.

Banking. The Klong Luang branch of Kasikorn Bank is located in front of the AIT main gate. The bank is open from 08.30 to 15.30 (Monday to Friday). Currency exchange to Thai Baht are available from the Foreign Exchange Counter. An automated teller machine (ATM) of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is available between the travel agency and the coffee shop at the administrative block, for cash withdrawal in Thai Baht currency.

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Medical services. AIT has a well-equipped medical clinic, located in the South Annex of the AITCC. A medical doctor is on duty Mondays to Fridays at 08.00–11.30. Nursing staff is on duty 24/7. For medical assistance at night, please ring the doorbell at the entrance of the clinic. In case of emergency requiring hospitalization, an ambulance can be arranged by contacting the medical clinic. The Clinic Telephone number is 5286 (internal).

Laundry service. Laundry service is provided at the AITCC. Alternative services are offered on the ground floor of Dormitory D, open from Monday through Saturday at 11.30 to 16.30. Laundry charges are reasonable. The Laundry Office number is 084 0073 914.

Recreational facilities. On-campus recreational facilities include a swimming pool, 2 basketball courts, 2 badminton courts, 3 lawn tennis courts, a squash court, table tennis room, volleyball court, football field, cricket and hockey pitches, a running track, and a gym. The swimming pool is open between 06.00 to 18.00 when a trained lifeguard is on duty. Refer to the interactive map for their locations.

Prayer and worship. For Muslim participants, a prayer room at the Student Union building near the Cafeteria is a ten‐minute walk from the AITCC. There are two Christian congregations at AIT: the AIT Catholic Community (AITCC) and the AIT Christian Fellowship (AITCF). The AITCC holds its Sunday mass in the Korea House (in front of the Student Cafeteria). The AITCF holds its Sunday Worship service in Room E220 (SERD Building) at 09.30, and a prayer meeting in a room at the Student Union building near the Cafeteria on Tuesdays at 20.00. Friday Bible Study is held in Room E220 (SERD Building) at 20.00.

Local transportation. Air conditioned public bus No.29 operates from AIT and Bangkok every day. The bus fare to Bangkok is THB 24 (USD 0.85) one way. The bus stop is 100 meters from the AIT front gate towards Phaholyothin Highway.

Public Van Service (15-seater) is also a good option to go to the city. This van service starts from Thammasat University and has a pick up point at the bus stop located 100 meters from the AIT gate towards Phaholyothin Highway. The van connects to two important locations in Bangkok – Mochit BTS station and Victory Monument. The fare is fixed at THB 30 (USD 1). From Mochit/Victory Monument, one can travel to various locations in Bangkok by taking the sky train (http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/06-travel-art-03.aspx), or the underground rail system (http://www.bangkokmetro.co.th/mapPPL.aspx?Menu=185&Lang=En).

Metered taxis are available from the AIT entrance gate. You can take either one with a meter, or negotiate the price with the driver. Normally it costs about THB 300 (USD 10) to go by taxi to Bangkok. You can request the Receptionist at the AITCC to get a taxi.

Recreation outside AIT. The area of Bangkan, Pathumthani provides shopping facilities. This includes the Talat Thai (Thai Market) – the largest wholesale market of agricultural produce and fruits in Thailand. This is located on the opposite side of the Phaholyothin Highway. This is a good place to experience agri-business in Thailand. Close by are TESCO Lotus and Makro supermarkets.

Future Park Rangsit shopping complex is located about 15 km from AIT. This shopping center/ mall has branches of Robinson’s, Central, Home Pro and Office Depot, Big C (a supermarket), banks, etc., and the upscale Zpell department store. On the opposite side of this shopping complex is TESCO Lotus Superstore. Also close by at Rangsit are branches of Makro and Zeer.

9. Useful Telephone Numbers

AIT Conference Center: +66 (0) 2524 5250 RIMES Office: +66 (0) 2516 5900 to 01 Ms. Dusadee Moya, HRAF Manager, RIMES: +66 (0) 82 360 6100 Mr. Arjunapermal Subbiah: +66 (0) 81 935 1695

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Tourist Information: 1672 Tourist Police (in English, French & German): 1155 Immigration Office: 0 2141 9889 Suvanarbhumi International Airport (http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/main_en.php)

o Call Center: 0 2132 1888o Lost Property Counter: 0 2132 1880, 0 2132 1890

Lost Credit Cards o American Express: 0 2273 5544o Diners Club: 0 2238 3660o Master: 001 800 11 887 0663o Visa: 0 2256 7324 to 7

Emergency Telephone Numbers o Police: 191o Ambulance: 1554o Fire Brigades: 199o Highway Police: 1193o Crime Suppression: 195