Vietnam, RoK enhance strategic cooperation in meteorology

The Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (VNMHA) and the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) sought to enhance strategic cooperation between the two countries in meteorology during their 6th bilateral meeting held via videoconference on December 7.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)
Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

In his remark, KMA Administrator Dr. Park Kwang Suk highlighted the long-standing relations Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) in meteorology, saying the two administrations signed an agreement for cooperation in the field in 2009. Since then, they have strengthened exchanges and partnership in multiple areas, such as climate change, meteorological radar and storm forecast, among others, he said.

He expected through this meeting, the KMA and VNMHA can together explore new areas of cooperation and step up bilateral partnership to improve meteorological services in both countries.

It will provide an opportunity for both sides to grow further and take the bilateral relation to a new height, he added.

Prof., Dr. Tran Hong Thai, VNMHA Director-General, said the two administrations have maintained cooperation activities over the last two years despite impacts of COVID-19.

Since 2018, they have seen cooperation expanding in capacity building and technical support for radar operation, as well as between regional meteorological and hydrological centres in Vietnam and the RoK, Thai said, adding that the KMA has sent experts to consult Vietnam in developing the VNMHA.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed cooperation between 2018 and 2020 and chalked out plans for the 2021 - 2023 period. They also discussed their future cooperation 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 agreed to hold the 7th bilateral meeting in Vietnam in the next two years.