Vietnam, RoK bolster strategic cooperation in meteorology

As part of his address, Dr. Park Kwang Suk, administrator of the KMA, applauded long-standing relations between the nation and the Republic of Korea (RoK) in meteorology, noting that the two administrations first signed an agreement for co-operation in this field back in 2009.

Since then both sides have strived to strengthen exchanges and partnership in multiple areas, such as climate change, meteorological radars, and storm forecast, among others, he said.

He anticipates that through the meeting, the KMA and VNMHA can come together to explore fresh areas of co-operation and ramp up bilateral partnership to improve meteorological services in both countries.

This will serve to provide a greater opportunity for the two sides’ relations to grow and bring bilateral relations to  new heights, he added.

Prof., Dr. Tran Hong Thai, director-general of the VNMHA, said the two administrations have maintained co-operation activities over the last two years despite the negative impact of COVID-19.

Since 2018, they have seen co-operation expand in terms of capacity building and technical support for radar operations, as well as between regional meteorological and hydrological centres based in Vietnam and the RoK, Prof. Thai said, adding that the KMA has sent experts to consult Vietnam in developing the VNMHA.

During the duration of the meeting, both sides reviewed co-operation between 2018 and 2020 and worked out plans ahead for the 2021 to 2023 period. They also discussed their future co-operation in weather radar; weather forecast and satellites; climate disaster response; marine meteorological services and AI-based weather services.

They later renewed their Memorandum of Understanding and consented to hold the seventh bilateral meeting in Vietnam in in two years' time.