World Meteorological Day: President, PM Issue Message

The World Meteorological Day 2024 is observing country wide today like in other countries of the world, to commemorate the emergence of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The theme of the day this year is 'At the frontline of climate action'. 

Every year on the 23rd March, the World Meteorological Organization commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization on 23 March in 1950, according to WMO website.

It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world, the website added.

For the day President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages wishing all programmes taken on the day a success.

Both the President the Prime Minister termed the theme of the day as timely and significant.

In his message, President Mohammed Shahabuddin said that Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) is implementing various projects with the aim of keeping the damage caused by weather, climate and water at minimum level.

Various technologies including advanced wind measuring and recording system, digital barometer and GPS radiosonde station have been added to the existing technology for better weather monitoring and data analysis, the head of the state added.

Through the use of these modern technologies, it will be possible to get more accurate and early predictions of natural disasters, which will play a helpful role in reducing the damage caused by disasters, he said.

He said Bangladesh government is working to deal with various natural disasters and the adverse effects of climate change to achieve sustainable development goals related to weather and climate declared by the United Nations.

The President hoped that through the use of modern scientific technology, it will be possible to quickly deliver weather and climate related services to people's doorsteps.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is one of the countries that are at risk of various natural disasters. 

The Awami League (AL) government is determined to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals announced by the United Nations, she said.

For this purpose, the government has taken various activities including 100-year delta plan, five-year plan with priority on climate change adaptation system, the premier said.

Through the implementation of all these plans in stages, Bangladesh will be able to achieve the status of an upper middle income country by 2030 and become a developed country in 2041, the premier hoped.

The AL government has introduced modern techniques and technology in the Bangladesh Meteorological Department in the past years to deal with natural disasters, she said.

 As a result, the overall capacity of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has increased and it is playing an important role in providing various forecasts and warnings of various natural disasters caused by climate change and other extreme weather conditions, she added.