Meteorology is one of the most inherently international of all fields of science and human endeavour. Accordingly, international cooperation plays a vital role in the operation of the Bureau, enabling it to draw on, and benefit from, scientific, technological and operational developments and expertise in other countries while contributing, within its own capability, to the effectiveness of the total international effort from which all countries benefit. This helps to ensure that the Australian community receives the best services possible within the limitations of available resources and the international state of the art in meteorological science and technology.

International Meteorological Activities form one of the Bureau's eight major outputs as well as one of the four output groups, Output 1.4 - International Meteorological Activities. Outputs from this group typically include effective Australian participation in the various constituent bodies, programs and activities of the World Meteorological Organization including the provision of data, products and services to overseas NMHSs and overseas user communities; participation in the international meteorological and related programs of other international organisations; and bilateral cooperation with other advanced countries and bilateral cooperation with, and assistance to, developing country National Meteorological Services in the southwest Pacific and South-East Asia.

OUTPUT PERFORMANCE 2003-04 

Output performance is measured against a number of quantity, quality and price targets. The results achieved for 2003-04 are provided below along with a commentary on significant variations.

A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed in January with the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology of Peru, with a view to exploring the development of a new atmospheric oscillation index useful in forecasting future El Niño events in the Pacific. This increased the total number of bilateral protocols from 8 to 9.

Fifty-sixth Session of the WMO Executive Council, Geneva, Switzerland, 8-18 June.

Dr John Zillman ceased to be Permanent Representative of Australia with WMO on 8 June 2004. Dr Geoff Love, Director of Meteorology, replaced him as Permanent Representative and was elected the same day as an acting member of the Executive Council, maintaining the continuity of Australian representation on the Council.