Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha in his message for World Meteorological Day 2024 to commemorate the emergence of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as one of the specialised agencies of the United Nations (UN) whose mandate covers weather, climate, and water resources, said, “The celebration is in acknowledgement of the significant contributions by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in ensuring the safety and well-being of the global community.”
Themed ‘At the Frontline of Climate Action’, this year’s celebration emphasises the crucial role of WMO members in leading efforts to address climate change by providing tools and knowledge to support mitigation and adaptation measures for climate change.
He added, “Climate change is a global phenomenon associated with the warming of air temperatures due to global-scale greenhouse effect. Temperature records have shown a significant increase since around the 1950s, coinciding with the industrial revolution.
“Climate change can lead to rising sea levels, altered weather patterns and increased occurrences of extreme weather events.
“According to the WMO, the global average temperature in 2023 is estimated to be 1.45 degrees Celsius (ºC) higher than the average temperature in 1850-1900, marking it as the hottest year on record. Last year saw the highest increase in sea levels since the beginning of satellite altimetry measurements in 1993.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC), through the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD), has been actively conducting climate science research for the Sultanate and studies have shown that our country has experienced an increasing trend in air temperature at a rate of 0.23ºC every 10 years, amounting to an average increase of about 1.15ºC over that past 50 years.
“The research also indicates that the trend in rainfall amounts has increased at a rate of 110 millimetres (mm) every 10 years. The increasing trends in temperature and rainfall amounts demonstrate that our country is no exception to the effects of climate change.
“In this regard, to contribute to the provision of climate science information for our country, BDMD is a key member of the Adaptation and Resilience Working Group (ARWG), under the Brunei Climate Change Secretariat.
“I fully support BDMD’s continuous efforts to further enhance the implementation of climate science research for Brunei, to assist relevant agencies in planning and taking action to ensure the country can implement mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as enhance the country’s resilience for the well-being of the people, economy and environment against the impacts of climate change.”
“I understand that BDMD has generated long-range climate projections spanning nearly a century based on international climate models to support the efforts of the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in planning and formulating policies, as well as managing the risks and opportunities arising from climate change.
“Considering the effects of climate change that have altered both the global and local weather patterns, weather observation and monitoring operations in our country are paramount, and the implementation of BDMD projects under the National Development Plan is aligned with the MTIC’s goal to ensure weather observation and monitoring to keep abreast with current technological advancements. This will enhance the accuracy of weather forecast, advisories and warnings for the well-being and safety of the people in our country.
“In the MTIC’s continuous efforts, through BDMD, to enhance the nation’s capacity in dealing with extreme weather events caused by climate variability, seasonal rainfall outlooks for the next three to five months along with early climate advisories have been issued regularly through press releases and mass media channels, including social media.
“The ministry will continue to support WMO’s efforts and ensure that meteorological and climatological services are continuously improved with the aim of ensuring the safety, development and prosperity of the nation.”
