At the invitation of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mr LEUNG Wing-mo, Acting Assistant Director, delivered a series of lectures in Pretoria, South Africa, to meteorologists from 22 countries in Africa in early November 2007.   The lectures focused on the important role of the public weather service in natural disaster reduction, and formed a part of a workshop organized by WMO and the South African Weather Service.  

After the lectures, Mr Sihlongonyane from Swaziland commented that the experience of Hong Kong Observatory in improving communication and coordination for high-impact weather events was an "eye-opener" and would help to build capacity in this respect in his country.   Mr Beebeejaun of Mauritius complimented Mr Leung on the lecture on media interviewing techniques, saying that the information was extremely relevant.   The workshop stimulated enthusiastic response and exchange of experience among the workshop participants.

The presence of Observatory staff in international conferences and workshops as lecturers, invited experts, resource people etc. is a part of the continuing contribution of the Observatory to the meteorological community to improve weather service at the global level.

Mr LEUNG Wing-mo, Acting Assistant Director of the Observatory, giving lectures to African meteorologists