Training and Research Under the Typhoon Committee

Abstract

ABSTRACT The ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee Training and Research Coordination Group (TRCG), formerly known as the Typhoon Research Coordination Group, has served Members of the Typhoon Committee for more than 20 years. As evident from the change of its name, TRCG has since extended its scope of activities from research to training with a view to bridging the technological gap and enhancing forecasting capability among Members as the development of technology continues to gather pace in recent decades. While the Typhoon Committee right from its early days has been visionary in establishing the three components of meteorology, hydrology and disaster risk reduction (DRR) within its organizational structure, the need for closer collaboration and synergy among the three components has become even apparent and critical as we enter the age of Big Data and face up to the multi-faceted impacts and environmental issues brought about by climate change. As such, TRCG in recent years has also taken on the responsibility of promoting cross-cutting research and training activities in support of the Committee’s Strategic Plan. This paper summarizes the initiatives undertaken by TRCG and the challenges that lie ahead.