In the News

Taiwan gets set for inaugural APEC typhoon symposium

The first APEC typhoon symposium will bring tropical cyclone-related issues under the spotlight in Taipei, says Lily Hsu, director-general of MOFA’s Department of International Organizations. (CNA)

• Publication Date：04/08/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Kwangyin Liu

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Typhoon Symposium will see international experts descend on Taipei City April 11-13 to discuss scientific and socioeconomic dimensions of severe weather, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Examining the impact of typhoons and heavy rains on at-risk Asian societies is a priority at the event,” said Lily Hsu, director-general of MOFA’s Department of International Organizations, April 7.

The conference marks the first major international event for the APEC Research Center for Typhoon and Society (ACTS), established jointly by Taiwan and the Philippines, since its inauguration November 2010, Hsu added.

Topics to be covered during the three-day event include the prediction of heavy rains and landfall typhoons, post-disaster recovery, climate extremes and disaster management, according to ACTS.

Around 250 scholars and government officials from 15 APEC member states, including Australia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S. and Vietnam, are expected to participate, according to Hsu.

ACTS is headquartered in Taipei, with its branch office in Manila to be set up in May. (THN)

Write to Kwangyin Liu at kwangyin.liu@mail.gio.gov.tw