The Hong Kong Observatory and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have signed an agreement to strengthen meteorological co-operation.

Observatory Director Shun Chi-ming and WMO Secretary-General Prof Petteri Taalas signed the memorandum of understanding today and officiated at the launch ceremony of the Severe Weather Information Centre website (SWIC 2.0).

Under the pact, the observatory will support the WMO's initiative in establishing the Global Multi-hazard Alert System.

The observatory has revamped the Severe Weather Information Centre website and is updating the World Weather Information Service website to aggregate authoritative warning signals related to high-impact weather, water and climate events issued by official weather service organisations around the world.

Members of the public and decision makers of various organisations, including international and humanitarian agencies, can make use of the information on the websites to have an overview of natural disasters on a global basis and take appropriate disaster risk reduction measures.

Mr Shun said as a member of the WMO, Hong Kong will play a more significant role in fostering regional and international meteorological co-operation to ensure public safety and reduce disaster risk.

Prof Taalas said the launch of the SWIC 2.0 website marks an important step in taking forward the Global Multi-hazard Alert System initiative, contributing to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Mr Shun and Prof Taalas also opened the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre for Nowcasting.

The observatory was designated as the centre for Asia at the 70th Session of the Executive Council of the WMO in June.

It will provide meteorological organisations in the region with products and techniques related to nowcasting of high-impact weather events.