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Observatory official elected president of the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology of the World Meteorological Organization

5 February 2010

The Assistant Director of Hong Kong Observatory (Aviation Weather Services), Mr C M Shun, was elected President of the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the 14th Session of the Commission held in Hong Kong today (5 February).

This is the highest position in the WMO that an official of the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has taken up in the history of the Observatory. Mr Shun had served as the Vice-president of the Commission since December 2006.

The CAeM is one of the WMO's eight technical commissions looking after the application of meteorology to aviation. The Commission's primary mission is to co-ordinate meteorological support to meet the requirements of aviation for safe, economical and efficient air navigation.

"It is my great honour to serve as the President of the Commission," Mr Shun said in addressing the 113 participants from 52 members and four international organisations after the election.

"Being a territorial member with seven million people where East meets West, Hong Kong, China is somewhere in the middle of the spectrum of all WMO members around the world.

"We are surely not the most advanced member, nor are we the least developed. Recognising where we are, we will apply available science and technologies to enable us to continuously improve our services, while at the same time, we will also bear in mind the needs of the developing world," Mr Shun said.

He also highlighted the importance of weather services in embracing changes, and becoming more versatile, more innovative and more cost-effective in responding to new challenges.

The Deputy Administrator of the Chinese Meteorological Administration and principal delegate of China attending the session, Ms Jiao Meiyan, said she regarded the HKO highly in taking the lead to enhance aviation weather services.

The principal delegate from South Africa, Ms Gaborekwe Khambule, said, "Today a vibrant young generation with drive and passion has been elected to the office. Change is always uncomfortable. However it is essential that the leadership of the Commission appointed today be accorded the support and the opportunity to serve for the betterment of the aviation weather services."

At the meeting, Mr Ian Lisk of the United Kingdom of Great Britainand Northern Ireland was elected Vice-president of the CAeM. Mr Shun and Mr Lisk will lead the work of the Commission in the coming four years.

The newly elected President of the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology and Assistant Director of Hong Kong Observatory, Mr C M Shun (second from right) pictured with the two former Presidents of the Commission, Mr Carr McLeod (second from left) and Dr Neil Gordon (left), as well as the newly elected Vice President, Mr Ian Lisk (right)
The newly elected President of the Commission for Aeronautical Meteorology and Assistant Director of Hong Kong Observatory, Mr C M Shun (second from right) pictured with the two former Presidents of the Commission, Mr Carr McLeod (second from left) and Dr Neil Gordon (left), as well as the newly elected Vice President, Mr Ian Lisk (right).

Mr Shun (fifth from left) with the Deputy Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration, Ms Jiao Meiyan (sixth from right); Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Dr B Y Lee (seventh from left); new Vice President of the Commission, Mr Ian Lisk (sixth from left), and delegates from China and Macao, China.
Mr Shun (fifth from left) with the Deputy Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration, Ms Jiao Meiyan (sixth from right); Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Dr B Y Lee (seventh from left); new Vice President of the Commission, Mr Ian Lisk (sixth from left), and delegates from China and Macao, China.