Asia (WMO Region II) covers a vast expanse of the Indian Ocean and part of the Pacific Ocean and contains a large and diverse range of ecosystems, including deserts, forests, rivers, lakes and seas. It has two of the world's most populated countries: China and India. It also includes eight Least Developed Countries. Compared to other WMO Regions, Region II includes the highest mountains, the rainiest areas and the driest deserts, with their associated variation in culture and biodiversity. It is also the fastest growing economic region in the world. The Region faces many major weather, climate and water-related challenges: the mitigation of "natural" and environmental disasters, climate change and variability, water resources management, land use and land degradation, energy availability, poverty alleviation and conservation of biodiversity.
The South-West Pacific (Region V) covers the vast expanse of the South-West Pacific Ocean but also includes adjacent oceanic areas north of the equator as well as eastern parts of the Indian Ocean. Its Members are diverse in many respects: culturally, economically, biologically, geographically and climatologically. The climate and weather-related hazards that most frequently occur in the region are tropical cyclones and associated storm surges, floods, landslides, severe thunderstorms, wildfires and drought. Few countries in the region are immune from tropical cyclone impact. Almost all of the Pacific Island countries have a national meteorological service that collects meteorological data primarily for forecast and warning services, but also the basic data for climate monitoring.
The Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific:
- Promotes and coordinates the implementation of high-priority WMO programmes and projects to enhance capacity of Members, with a special focus on Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States
- Fosters cooperation between the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in developed and developing States and Territories for capacity development
- Enhances collaboration with relevant regional partners and funding agencies
- Promotes interregional coordination between Regional Associations II and V as well as with other Regional Associations
