Brunei Darussalam, as a member of
the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and through the Brunei Darussalam
Meteorological Department (BDMD), Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications,
today celebrates World Meteorological Day 2021.
World Meteorological Day takes
place every year on 23rd March to celebrate the anniversary of the convention
establishing WMO on 23rd March 1950. This day also commemorates the essential
contribution of all the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
around the world to the safety and wellbeing of society.
Each year, the celebration
focuses on a theme of topical interest chosen especially by the WMO. “The
Ocean, Our Climate and Weather” is the theme of this year’s World
Meteorological Day. It highlights the central role of the ocean in influencing
the world’s weather and climate; as well as in climate change.
To celebrate this year’s World
Meteorological Day, BDMD held a ceremony at Dewan Amar Pahlawan, Ministry of
Transport and Infocommunications. The guest of honour was Yang Berhormat Dato
Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji
Awang Mohammad Yusof, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. Also
present were Members of the State Legislative Council, Yang Mulia Awang Haji
Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof,
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications,
Yang Mulia Awang Haji Hairul Mohd Daud bin Haji Abdul Karim, Deputy Permanent
Secretary (Infocommunications) of Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications,
Directors, Head of Departments, and senior officers from the Ministry of
Transport and Infocommunications, as well as special invited guests which
include representatives from different weather and climate services user
groups, higher institutions of learning and students.
The ceremony commenced with a
welcoming speech by Yang Mulia Awang Muhamad Husaini Bin Aji, Director of
Meteorology, as chairperson of the event. In commemorating the occasion, the
guest of honour officiated the launching of the “BDMD Weather Awareness
Campaign 2021” and the “Brunei Young Meteorologists Club (BYMC)”.
The awareness campaign encompasses
multiple activities planned throughout this year to highlight the importance of
weather and climate as well as about the products and services provided by
BDMD. The BYMC is an initiative driven by BDMD with students from the
University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD); with the aim to gather weather
enthusiasts from higher education institution to help raise public awareness in
weather and climate matters.
The event also included a
certificate presentation to Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department for achieving
the ISO 9001:2015 standards for the compliance of Quality Management System.
A forum session was also held
during the ceremony and discussed on topics related to the theme of the
celebration. The panel members were composed of invited experts from both local
and international agencies.
The guest of honour and invited
guests later toured the exhibition that showcased educational information
related to the World Meteorological Day 2021’s theme. The exhibition also
included participation from other agencies such as the National Disaster
Management Centre (NDMC), the National Seismic Centre (NSC), the Survey
Department, the Fisheries Department and the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat
(BCCS), as well as non-government organizations such as Muara Port Company
(MPC), Green Brunei, Poni Divers, Beach Bunch and Progresif Sdn Bhd.
Prepared by:
Brunei Darussalam Meteorological
Department
Ministry of Transport and
Infocommunications
Brunei Darussalam
