Macao Hosts High-Level Typhoon Forum as Asia-Pacific Unites on Cyclone Resilience

Held in parallel, the Integrated Workshop carried the theme: “Shaping the Future: Applying Innovation to Actions Addressing Typhoon Challenges and Opportunities.”

For four days in early December, the city of Macao, China, became a centre of scientific exchange, strategic thinking and regional solidarity as it hosted the 20th Integrated Workshop and High-Level Forum of the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. What began as a technical meeting evolved into a powerful collective vision: safeguarding millions of people across the Asia–Pacific region from the escalating dangers of tropical cyclones in a warming world.

From 2 to 5 December 2025, representatives from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Typhoon Committee Secretariat, and experts in meteorology, hydrology, disaster risk reduction and climate science gathered to confront increasingly complex weather challenges.

A Future Strategy for Typhoon Resilience

The forum centred on the theme: “Closing Gaps and Creating Opportunities Together: Developing the Typhoon Committee’s Future Strategy.”

Delegates discussed:

• The next generation of forecasting systems

• Strengthening multi-hazard early warnings

• Improving disaster management readiness

• Enhancing regional data sharing

• Increasing community resilience amid rapidly evolving climate risks

Their insights will feed directly into the Typhoon Committee Strategic Plan 2027–2031, setting the direction for cooperation for the next five years.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, in a video address, underscored the urgency:

“The Asia-Pacific faces the most intense typhoon activity in the world. Record rainfall, storm surges and floods cause vast displacement and economic devastation. Yet we have also seen how early warnings and collaboration save lives.”

She highlighted three core pillars for the Committee’s future: integration, inclusion and innovation.

Joint Statement Reinforces Regional Commitments

The High-Level Forum concluded with a Joint Statement reaffirming a shared vision to:

• Strengthen regional cooperation

• Expand collaborative research

• Promote open exchange of data and knowledge

• Enhance joint training and capacity-building

• Translate scientific advances into life-saving action for communities

Macao, China, as host, expressed its commitment to supporting regional resilience, strengthening its own capabilities, and sharing technical expertise with neighbouring Members.

Innovation at the Heart of the 20th Integrated Workshop

Held in parallel, the Integrated Workshop carried the theme: “Shaping the Future: Applying Innovation to Actions Addressing Typhoon Challenges and Opportunities.”

Participants explored emerging technologies transforming typhoon forecasting, including:

• Artificial intelligence tools for prediction

• High-resolution climate and weather modelling

• Satellite-based observation platforms

• Integrated data systems for real-time monitoring

• New governance frameworks and community-based approaches

Saulo emphasized that innovation must extend beyond technology to include partnerships, policy reforms and public engagement, ensuring scientific advances translate to safer communities.

A Record-Breaking 2025 Typhoon Season

The 2025 season was exceptionally active, with 26 typhoons forming in the Western North Pacific and the South China Sea—more than 2.7 above the annual average.

WMO’s RSMC Tokyo played a central role in delivering high-quality analysis and best-track data, anchoring the regional early warning system.

Across the region, multiple success stories illustrated how cooperation, capacity-building and innovation are saving lives:

• Stronger early warning and hydrological systems

• Improved disaster preparedness and response

• Advanced airborne reconnaissance and 3D radar wind retrieval

• A regional AI data exchange portal enhancing collaborative forecasting

China’s 2025 Typhoon Response: A Case Study in Early Action

China experienced 10 landfalling typhoons in 2025, impacting 9.4 million people across 12 provinces and prompting 3.5 million evacuations. Despite the scale of the disasters, there were just 10 fatalities—a testament to early warnings, swift emergency response and coordinated disaster management.

Super Typhoon Ragasa, the strongest storm of the year at 125 knots, broke records in Hong Kong, China, becoming the furthest cyclone ever to trigger Hurricane Signal No. 10. It caused widespread damage and major travel disruptions, including over 700 flight cancellations. Yet no lives were lost, reinforced by timely warnings and effective early action.

Looking Ahead: A Shared Commitment to Protect Communities

The Typhoon Committee’s 20th anniversary events highlighted the progress made—and the challenges that remain—as climate change intensifies tropical cyclone behaviour. The region remains united in strengthening preparedness, advancing science and technology, and building resilient communities.

More detailed experiences and best practices can be found in China’s early warning practice | Proactive services and response to enhance typhoon defence capabilities in China.