Opening Session

Main session objectives:

• Welcome the participants to the MHEWC-II, introduce to the Conference programme, refer to expected outcomes and how these are linked to the 2019 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2019) and inform future priority setting for the International Network for MHEWS (IN-MHEWS).
• Highlight the relevance of the topics discussed during the conference towards the implementation of the Global Target G of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. In this context, highlight the progress made by various actors.
• Provide first-hand insights in the forecasting, warning, and impacts of the tropical cyclones (among the most deadly and damaging hazards worldwide) Idai and Kenneth that recently hit Mozambique

Moderators:

• Mr Xu Tang, Director,  Weather and Disaster Risk Reduction Services (WDS) Department, WMO Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland
• Mr Juan Carlos Villagran de Leon, Head, UN-SPIDER Bonn Office, UN-SPIDER Programme, UNOOSA, Bonn, Germany

Speakers:

• Ms Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), Geneva, Switzerland
• Mr Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General (SG) of WMO, Geneva, Switzerland
• Mr Ricardo Mena, Chief, Supporting and Monitoring Sendai Framework Implementation Branch, UNDRR, Geneva, Switzerland
• Mr Mussa Mustafa, Deputy Director-General, National Institute of Meteorology, Maputo, Mozambique