The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Directorate General of Meteorology (DGMET) in Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), is participating the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) celebration of the World Meteorological Day in commemoration of the entry into force in 1950. The event takes place on March 23 of each year in various countries around the world.

The theme of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) this year is to urge the global community to deal with weather by managing, preparing for its volatility and managing climate concerns to reduce the related catastrophic risks. The population growth in the world is facing numbers of weather and climate hazards and challenges, including tropical cyclones, high waves, heavy rains, heat waves, and droughts. Climate change also exacerbates weather, sea level rise, and ocean oxidation. The rapid urbanization of the world will undoubtedly raise the number of people exposed to these risks.

On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Nasser Al-Zaabi, the CEO of PACA said that the celebration of World Meteorological Day is an opportunity to highlight the efforts made by meteorology in facing the changes of weather and climate, which have become the most important global challenges which impact is increasing on the global movement of aviation as confirmed by scientific research recently. In addition, the continuous increase in heat waves according to the latest international reports.

In keeping with these trends, The Sultanate has been working in continuous and effective cooperation with it and its regional centers since it becomes the member of WMO in 1975. The cooperation includes the exchanging of information and initiating the development of their weather forecasting and monitoring systems, as one of the first countries The Middle East used numerical predictions in the forecasting process.

Meteorology in the Sultanate has been strengthened by several modern systems including weather radars, marine radars, and marine observation stations, as well as the expansion of the number of meteorological stations established in several regions of the Sultanate. Several meteorological stations have also been reinforced with modern instruments to withstand high wind speeds.

In the field of Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS), HE said that the DGMET has started to activate and apply the unified operating manual for the National Center for Multi-Hazard Early Warning, which will facilitate procedures and dealing methods with the risks facing the Sultanate. Besides, the DGMET heads the observation and Early Warning sector in the National Emergency and Management System.

In the field of training and qualification, the PACA has implemented several training programs and internal workshops in the meteorological sector aimed at developing the technical and administrative cadres. As a consequence, qualified cadres around the clock which can cope with the rapid developments in meteorology and climatology.

H.E added also that, the PACA has implemented several projects for the development of meteorology in the Sultanate and reinforced it by several modern tools to monitor various weather phenomena to address such risks. The PACA is continuing to complete and implement many plans and projects during this year and in the coming years. All aimed at improving the efficiency of weather forecasts, minimizing weather and climate risks and increasing investment in meteorological infrastructure. The meteorological sector receives great care from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the implementation of the Multi-Hazard Early Earning project was under his order. In 2015, NMHEWS in Oman was opened, as one of the achievements of the blessed renaissance of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and it reflects his high patronage for this important and vital sector, which has brought the qualitative transfer in terms of equipment and communication systems in the exchange of information and trained national cadres.

The CEO also thanked all Oman Meteorological Stuff as well as relevant partners in meteorology and Early Warning for their constructive cooperation and their distinguished and professional efforts and he congratulated them on World Meteorological Day.

It is noteworthy that the PACA represented by the DGMET conducts various awareness activities through organizing student visits in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, private schools, students of colleges and universities as well as relevant government agencies to learn more about the work and the role of meteorology in various areas of life. Additional to that, many lectures related to practical exercises on earthquakes and tsunamis were provided to community members and schools near the coast.