| Wani Roslan |
THE Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) of the Ministry of Communications (MinCom) yesterday celebrated the World Meteorological Day to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at the ministry’s Amar Pahlawan Hall.
The event commenced with a welcoming remark by Muhamad Husaini bin Aji, Acting Director of Meteorology and chairman of the event.
In his remark, Muhamad Husaini shared that since the establishment of BDMD in 2013, the department has strived to fulfil the duties and responsibilities that have been mandated to strengthen and improve services provided.
“Efforts to meet the needs of consumers is very challenging, in addition to operating in the environment based on international standards which control the provision of weather services including for flights designated by the WMO and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” he said.
He also shared on several initiatives that have been and are being conducted through several projects including Corporate Branding, Certification of Quality Management System, Introduction and Implementation of Competency Management System, Improve Cooperation with Stakeholders, Updating Manual Work Procedure (MPK) and Client’s Charters (TPOR) for Meteorological Department, and others.
The event then continued with the launching of the ‘National Weather Briefing’ by guest of honour Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof, Minister of Communications. The briefing aimed to provide opportunity for the different weather and climate user groups to interact directly with the BDMD and communicate their respective needs for information and services, while also facilitating end-users to be more weather-ready and have a better understanding of Brunei Darussalam’s climate.
The Minister of Communications stressed that Brunei is not spared from the impact of weather and climate change. He also highlighted the importance of weather with respect to air, land and sea communications, daily life, the safety of people and property as well as the country’s economic development.
He hoped that the National Weather Briefing would be a platform that will lead to a more holistic early weather warning system, and further align the present needs of our nation for weather information as well as for the future.
The guest of honour toured the World Meteorological Day 2018 exhibition that showcased educational information focussing on weather and climate. BDMD’s Colour-Coded Severe Weather Warnings, as one of the tools to better prepare for extreme weather and climate, was also part of the exhibition.
Other agencies such as the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Green Brunei, and Oil and Gas Discovery Centre (OGDC) also participated in the exhibition.
This year’s theme ‘Weather-Ready, Climate-Smart’ highlighted the importance of weather, climate and water to the public well-being, health and food security. However, these elements can be destructive as climate change is leading to an increase in the intensity and frequency of some high impact weather related events.
Environment related issues due to the changing climate have become one of the greatest concerns raised by global leaders, and with the theme this year, the WMO encourages its members to become “weather-ready” and “climate-smart” – and also water-wise – to support the international agenda on sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
Also in attendance were members of the Legislative Council, YB Khairunnisa binti Haji Ash’ari, YB Pengiran Haji Ali bin Pengiran Maon, YB Haji Tahamit bin Haji Nudin, YB Pengiran Haji Mohamed bin Pengiran Haji Osman @ Othman and YB Naim bin Haji Kamis; Haji Azhar bin Haji Ahmad, Permanent Secretary at the MinCom; Dr Haji Supry bin Haji Awang Ladi, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MinCom; directors; heads of departments; and senior officers of MinCom as well as guests.