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The Observatory supports UN’s “Early Warnings for All” Initiative and New International Technical Regulations

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The Observatory supports UN’s “Early Warnings for All” Initiative and New International Technical Regulations

Yeung Hon-yin

The Observatory is committed to supporting the “Early Warnings for All” Initiative of the United Nations (UN). In 2024, the World Meteorological Organization appointed Mr Yeung Hon-yin, Senior Scientific Officer of the Observatory, as the vice chair of the new Expert Team on Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Service Delivery Technical Guidance. Mr Yeung plays a leading role in drafting the new technical regulations for early warning services (TR-EWS).

Mr Lai Sau-tak, former Assistant Director of the Observatory, temporarily came out of retirement to join forces with Mr Yeung and support the drafting work. With his rich experience, he contributed many insightful ideas and pivotal input. The new expert team aims to promote the new international technical regulations, ensuring that all humanity is protected by early warnings and thus safeguarded from the impacts of weather disasters. The new technical regulations for early warning services should be ready for implementation from 2027.

First meeting of the TR-EWS Drafting Team, 23–27 September 2024, Geneva, Switzerland (back row, third from left: Yeung Hon-yin; second from right: Lai Sau-tak)

First meeting of the TR-EWS Drafting Team, 23–27 September 2024, Geneva, Switzerland. (back row, third from left: Yeung Hon-yin; second from right: Lai Sau-tak)