The APEC Climate Center (APCC) and Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) virtually co-hosted the APEC Climate Symposium (APCS) 2021 on 13-14 July 2021 with the main theme of ‘Innovations in Climate Communication for Enhancing Human Security to Manage Risks of Climate Extremes’.

This virtual event provided a unique opportunity to engage in discussion with experts from governments, academia, private sector, and NGOs on utilizing climate information against the climate crisis and communicating climate information services effectively.

During the opening session of APCS 2021, the opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Won Tae Kwon, Executive Director of APCC and Mr. Jailan bin Simon, Director General of Met Malaysia.

The APEC Climate Symposium 2021 was composed of 2 panel discussion sessions. The main topic of the first panel discussion, held on 13 July 2021, was ‘Enhancing Climate Crisis Preparedness through Climate Service’. The participants of this session had the opportunity to explore effective ways to use climate information services in the era of climate crisis.

The main topic of the second panel discussion session, held on 14 July 2021, was ‘Exploring Innovative Communicating Strategies for Effective Climate Services’. The participants of this session discussed specific methods for enabling climate information to be utilized by various users to respond to climate disasters and extreme climates. In particular, they also explored the strategies and measures for climate communication to reduce the gap between climate information providers and users, and specific roles and efforts needed to facilitate communication of climate information.

APCC hosts the APCS annually to facilitate knowledge exchange on the latest climate prediction techniques in the region and beyond. APCS also builds capacity for climate adaptation and provides a venue for interaction amongst the world’s leading scientists, researchers, meteorological services, decision makers, and other stakeholders. Themes related to climate prediction and its applications are developed each year which guide the organized sessions and presentations.