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The First Scientific Planning Group Meeting

1996 Kuala Lumpur

Outline of First APN Scientific Planning Group Meeting

1. The First APN Scientific Planning Group Meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 29-30 August 1996. It was attended by representatives of 11 countries and 5 relevant international organizations.
   
2. The participants discussed the following issues:
   1. APN support for GAME (GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment)
   2. APN/SASCOM/GCTE workshop on human dimensions issues
   3. APN/START-TEACOM joint workshop on LUCC
   4. APN/START Planning Meeting on the Regional Climate Model
   5. ENSO related study project
   6. APN Communication Issues
   7. APN Liaison Officers
   8. APN New Potential Activities for 1997
      
3. APN support for GAME (GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment) Several representatives reinforced the value of GAME for countries in the region, and the desirability of APN support. There was also agreement on the desirability of faster and wider dissemination of data generated by GAME.
   
   There were also several references to the need to link with other relevant activities, such as INDOEX in the southern Indian Ocean region, and the South China Sea Experiment (SCSMEX).
   
4. APN/SASCOM/GCTE workshop on human dimensions issues The organizing group was asked to continue its work, concentrating on making the event clearly relevant to the Asia-Pacific region, with specific and concrete components of potential benefit to the region. The outcomes of the workshop should be further proposals for action, some of which would be for APN consideration.
   
   The link between climate and agriculture was suggested as a topic where the APN may wish to focus on human dimensions issues.
   
5. APN/START-TEACOM joint workshop on LUCC It was confirmed that the success of this workshop would lead to land-use and land-cover change programmes which were designed specifically in and for the region. There was emphasis on the need to use LUCC outcomes better, both through their wider dissemination and in developing integrated studies.
   
6. APN/START Planning Meeting on the Regional Climate Model The meeting endorsed the proposed planning meeting, and continuing APN support. This could include encouragement of involvement by more countries in the region. It was noted that there is a strategic value in building the regional capacity to develop and particularly to use climate models.
   
7. ENSO related study project
   
   Participants mentioned the need for research on the recovery and analysis of climate data in the APN region. It was stated that important outcomes for any work on ENSO issues would include improved predictability, better understanding of the relationship between ENSO and the Asian monsoon, and a better understanding of their socio-economic impacts.
   
8. APN Communication Issues Participants endorsed the development of the APN homepage to be operational by the next APN Inter-Governmental Meeting, and recognized the role of APN in capacity building for communications, which could involve both hardware and training. They also saw merit in continuing attempts being made to develop and maintain an inventory of existing datasets in the APN countries.
   
9. APN Liaison Officers It was suggested that there would be advantages in getting these liaison arrangements under way as soon as possible, noting that they could provide a continuing link between regional START activities and the APN, assist in project development, coordination and information dissemination, and facilitate communication between countries.
   
10. APN New Potential Activities for 1997
    1. Freshwater Problems There was agreement that discussion with UNESCO in development of the APN freshwater-related programme would be beneficial.
    2. Aerosols and Acid Deposition Issues Several participants confirmed the significance of work on aerosols and acid deposition issues , both for pollution problems and climate related research.
    3. Possibility of co-operation with the Pacific Science Inter-Congress It was suggested that cooperation with the Pacific countries should be expanded, and there was support for the Interim Secretariat to continue developing possible ways in which the APN could be involved, including possible participation in the Pacific Science Inter-Congress being held on 13-19 July 1997 at the University of South Pacific, Fiji.
    4. Other issues Several participants raised points about the future development of APN activities, including building of review processes.