First International Conference on Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change

SECOND CIRCULAR

First International Conference on Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones and Climate Change - An International Conference co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization (Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, 8-11 March 2009)

Extension of deadline: Short abstracts due 31 October 2008. Extended Abstracts (1 – 6 pages A4, due 30 December 2008)

In its latest report (2007), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights a high probability of major changes in tropical cyclone activity across the various ocean basins. The Indian Ocean including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are of particular concern because of the high population density along their coastlines. Because of the significance of these extreme climatic events to Oman, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Communication (Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation), the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, and the World Meteorological Organization took the initiative to organize this International Conference in order to shed light on the scientific basis of these extreme events and the complexities inherent in combating their hazardous impact.

The conference will bring together leading experts, both from research and operational meteorological environments. It is intended that this conference will be a first step towards an ongoing international focus on potential impact of climate change in the Indian Ocean. The proceedings will be published as a WMO Technical Document.

Submitted papers are encouraged on all aspects of global climate change impact on tropical cyclones. In particular, the organisers encourage contributions on best tracks of tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean, including documentation of past high impact events, and archival maintenance, reconstruction and quality of best track data sets. A Keynote address will be given on forecasting, emergency response and impact of Tropical Cyclone Gonu which made landfall in Oman in 2007. Papers are solicited on Tropical Cyclone NARGIS (Myanmar 2008) and Tropical Cyclone SIDR (Bangladesh 2007)

Through the WMO sponsorship, the conference will include the participation of representatives from the national Hydrometeorological services of India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Oman and Thailand, as well as representatives from the other Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (RSMC's) around the globe. It is anticipated that these scientists will make presentations on the availability and quality of best track data from their region, including historical data and landfall events.

1 CONFERENCE THEMES

The broad thematic areas of the conference are:

1. Operational Tropical Cyclone Forecasting and warning Systems (Keynote Speaker Dr Greg Holland, USA)

2. Progress on Tropical Cyclone Genesis (Keynote Speaker Prof Kerry Emanuel, USA)

3. Climate Change and Tropical Cyclone Activity (Keynote Speakers: Mr Tom Knutson, USA, Prof. Johnny Chan, Hong Kong, China)

4. Assessment of Risk and Vulnerability from tropical Cyclones, including construction, archival and retrieval of best-track and historic data sets (Keynote Speaker: TBA)

5. Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reduction (Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mostafa Mohaghegh, United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction).

6. Recent high impact tropical cyclone events in the Indian Ocean: NARGIS, SIDR, GONU and other events. (Keynote Speaker: A presentation on the tropical cyclone GONU: Director of the Oman Weather Bureau in collaboration with several Oman Government Agencies: Civil Defence, Ministry of the Environment)

Conference Language: English

Organization:

High Advisory Committee: chaired by His Excellency Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University

International Scientific Organizing Committee (ISOC):

Co-chair: Prof. Amer Ibn Ali Arraws ,Vice Deputy Chancellor Postgraduates Studies and Research, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman Co-chair: Dr. John McBride, Co-Chair of Expert Team on Climate Impacts on Tropical Cyclones, Tropical Cyclone Panel, World Meteorological Organization

Conference Duration: The conference will begin with an opening ceremony on the morning of Sunday, 8 March 2009, and conclude on the afternoon of Tuesday, 10 March 2009. Field excursions are scheduled for Wednesday, 11 March 2009. These excursions are optional.

Call for Papers: Participants interested in presenting papers should submit abstracts, not exceeding 300 words, on or before 31 October 2008.

2 Abstracts should be submitted in the enclosed form as a MS Word document with a clear title, name(s) of author(s), and affiliation(s). Abstracts should be sent via e-mail to [email protected] (Conference Secretariat) or to the attention of Dr. Salim Al Hatrushi (Chair of Local Organizing Committee) via fax +968 24413212 with a copy sent to WMO ([email protected]).

For all presentations, kindly indicate the thematic areas as first and second preference.

Publication Plans

Submission of Extended abstract is on or before 31 December 2008. (Between one and six A4 pages in MS Word) The Extended Abstracts will appear in the Conference Proceedings to be published by the World Meteorological Organization. Authors are advised to follow the instructions on the preparation of Extended Abstracts found on the Conference website: http://www.squ.edu.om/tropical cyclones

Authors will also have the opportunity to prepare a full paper for submission to a special issue of the International Journal of Environmental Studies http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/journal.asp?issn=0020-7233&linktype=44. Details for preparation of the journal papers will be distributed during the Conference.

Registration Fee

The registration fee for a single participant is USD 100/- (or equivalent) in any acceptable foreign currency. Post-graduate student participants will have a reduced fee of USD 50/- (or equivalent). Participants should pay the registration fee during the Registration on the first day of the conference proper.

1. For general participants and students, the registration fee includes: - admission to all scientific sessions; - admission to all exhibitions; - one welcome reception; - all coffee breaks and lunches; - one field excursion; and - a hard copy or CD-ROM of the conference programme and pre- print of abstracts. 2. Post-graduate students should present the conference secretariat with a copy of their student’s ID and their supervisor’s recommendation with signature. 3. Accompanying persons may buy coupons on-site to attend lunches and coffee breaks.

As February and March in Oman is the peak tourist season and hotels are in great demand, early booking is necessary. Kindly note the deadlines

3 specified. As the Conference site is some distance from the city of Muscat, it is highly recommended that participants stay at either of the designated Conference hotels. The organisers can not provide transportation from alternative venues.

Conference Website

All relevant information needed are available in the conference website:

http://www.squ.edu.om/tropicalcyclones/

Abstract and registration forms can also be downloaded from this site.

Secretariat: Dr. Yassine CHARABI College of Arts & Social Sciences Department of Geography Sultan Qaboos University P.O. Box 42, PC 123 Muscat, Sultanate of Oman Tel: +(968) 2414 2003 Fax: +(968) 2441 3212 Email: [email protected]

DATES to REMEMBER

Submission of abstracts Last date, 31 October 2008 Submission of extended Abstracts Last date, 30 December 2008 Early registration Any time before 31 December 2008 Late registration Last date, 30 January 2009

Travel and accommodation

We would like to gather all participants in one accommodation to avoid snag of travelling from and to conference venue. Conference committee members and delegation from World Meteorology Organization (WMO) visited the various hotels in Muscat to insure the quality and its standard.

The Golden Tulip Hotel in Seeb Muscat has been chosen as participants' accommodation. We booked 50 rooms, 24 of standard rooms (single – 59.67 R.O= US$ 155.569, double – 78.39 R.O = US$ 204.375) 24 deluxe rooms (single – 93.60 R.O = US$ 244.030, double – 107.64 R.O = US$ 280.634) 2 suite rooms (152.100 R.O = US$ 369.548) including 17% tax, breakfast, transportation from and to Airport and Transportation from and to City Center. Please note that dinner is not included which may cost around 10 R.O = US$ 26.072. Booking of room/s should be done on or before 15 January 2009. Participants should directly book room/s to the hotels through online

4 reservation. Please visit http:// www.goldentulipseeb.com or send e-mail to: [email protected]. You may also contact Mr. Naji Abi Farah, Country Director of Sales & Marketing Telephone: +968 2451 0300 or Mobile: + 968 9986 3323.

A small block booking has also been made at a five star hotel in Muscat, the Crowne Plaza, PO Box 1455, Ruwi 112, Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24660660 ext. 6005, Fax: +968 24574462, E- mail: [email protected], Contact Person: Shadia Khattar Single & Double Rooms R.O 128; Deluxe room 149.76 R.O, (rates does not include breakfast). These rates will be available only until 15 December 2008.

Field Excursion

A Post – conference excursion on 11 March 2009 to Nizwa is planned. This will cover different areas in the Ad Dakhiliyah Region in Oman and was the capital of Oman proper about 140 km (1.5 hours) from the capital. One of the oldest cities in Oman, Nizwa was once a center of trade, religion, education and art. Its Jama (grand mosque) was formerly a center for Islamic learning. This excursion is provided at no cost to all conference participants by the Local Organizing Committee. The excursion will include a morning visit to the Nizwa market and the Nizwa fort. Other sites to be visited in the surrounding region will include the entrance to the Wadi Muaydin Oasis and the Buhla fort, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.