Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has readied all its resources in order to ensure the success of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on May 9-11, 2023.
"After the G20 Summit, Moto GP Mandalika, and F1 Powerboat, BMKG will also participate for the success of the 42nd ASEAN Summit. We continue our preparation to help the event run well and smoothly," Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati said in Jakarta on Sunday.
Karnawati revealed the agency's plans to ensure the success of the summit by continuously updating weather, climate, and earthquake information at all event locations.
To support this effort, the BMKG will place several tools to monitor and detect early potential earthquakes and tsunamis as well as early warning systems for potential forest and land fires, extreme weather, extreme waves, and potential tsunamis throughout the ASEAN Summit region, she said.
"In particular, the BMKG also provides strategic weather information to support the safety of the transportation of ASEAN heads of state and all state delegations present in Indonesia," Karnawati stated.
In addition, she noted that the BMKG has prepared 14 BMKG stations throughout NTT Province supported by systems from the center and 190 BMKG stations equipped with 40 radars spread throughout Indonesia.
"That way, the data and information generated will be faster, more precise, and more accurate," she said.
The BMKG along with other institutions, such as the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), National Police (Polri), Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), and the local government also readied an emergency response plan in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake and tsunami, Karnawati stated.
"Labuan Bajo is a tsunami-prone area and the venue for the ASEAN Summit is on the seafront and close to waters," she noted.
In 2023, Indonesia is holding the ASEAN chairmanship with the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" which means that the country is keen that the ASEAN remains important and relevant to all people and the world.
Karnawati also said that the BMKG, as an institution, has played quite a strategic role in the ASEAN region.
She noted that the BMKG has been appointed and played a role as the ASEAN Earthquake Information Center since 2000. In addition, the BMKG supports the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Center) as well as backs the mission of establishing the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Transboundary Haze and Pollution Control (ACC THPC).
Karnawati expressed her belief that her agency would be able to play more strategic roles in the ASEAN region in the future to bring benefits to the ASEAN community.
Related news: Police gauges disaster potential in NTT ahead of ASEAN Summit
Related news: Labuan Bajo will have special cardiology medical equipment: minister
