AKP Phnom Penh, April 24, 2025 --

Cambodian Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology H.E. Thor Chetha presided over the opening ceremony of the 24th ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF-24), which included training sessions and technical meetings on climate science, with a focus on heatwaves and health.

The event took place this morning at the Sun & Moon Hotel in Phnom Penh  

The ASEANCOF-24, hosted by Cambodia, saw the participation of delegates from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), the UK Met Office (UKMO), as well as representatives from all ASEAN member states, both in person and via video conference. 

On this occasion, H.E. Minister highlighted the importance of climate research and studying weather phenomena to identify root causes and address long-term climate change challenges and natural disaster risks, such as tropical storms, tornadoes, thunderstorms, floods, droughts, and rising sea levels. 

He also emphasised the necessity of regional cooperation, data sharing, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange to enhance climate forecasting accuracy, deepen understanding of climate variability, and improve responses to natural phenomena—both in the present and future. 

Furthermore, H.E. Thor Chetha stressed that climate change remains a major concern, directly impacting urban development, economic growth, and social progress. He noted that climate disruptions hinder multi-sectoral development efforts but expressed strong confidence that ASEANCOF-24 would yield significant outcomes.

These results will serve as a foundation for developing concrete strategic plans across relevant sectors and among stakeholders, ultimately advancing expertise in climate science, climate change adaptation, and resilience.  

By K. Rithy Reak