JejakBD.web.id - A flashback story when carrying out an official duty in Singapore.

The Aseancof

Twice a year, the ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF) brings together climate forecasters from across Southeast Asia. The host rotates among ASEAN countries, and the forum is usually attended by experts not only from within the region but also from Europe, America, Australia, and other parts of the world.

In 2015, I was assigned to participate in ASEANCOF. The first session was held in Indonesia, while the second session took place in Singapore. I attended both meetings together with my colleague, Mr. Arif, a senior climatologist from Jambi.

With Mr. Arif, climate expert from Jambi

Because I departed from Lombok, we arrived on different flights and met at Changi Airport. From there, we took a shared taxi to Concorde Hotel, located at Orchard Road. The committee arranged our accommodation, along with that of all other participants, and Concorde Hotel became our home for the next four days.

Before diving into the story, here’s the Indonesian version if you prefer to read it in Bahasa:
Tugas Negara sambil Wisata di Singapura



Training, Meeting, and Presentation

ASEANCOF Singapore was divided into two major sessions. The first was a training on climate prediction modeling, held at the ERC Institute. Our instructors were climate experts from Korea and the United States. 

Training session. Photo credit to Oh-eh

Dr. Kim, the training instructor

I actually wrote a summary of Dr. Kim’s material in Bahasa. If you’re into atmospheric science, you can read it here
BSISO sebagai salah satu mode variabilitas iklim

After the first day of training, we decided to walk back to the hotel instead of taking the bus provided by the committee. We passed several iconic spots like The Istana, The Cathay, and Plaza Singapura.

Walking session :)

With the participant from Myanmar (left) and Laos (right) in front of Plaza Singapura


The Presentation Days

The second session was a two-day forum where each ASEAN country presented its climate outlook for the next 3–6 months. These speakers were called local experts. The session was held at CCRS (Centre for Climate Research Singapore).

With the local experts from some Asean Country in the lobby of CCRS

I presented on the third day and had prepared a detailed script. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my glasses, so the script became completely useless. 

My turn presentation on the third day

I delivered the presentation using a combination of English and what I call Tarzan language, and I hope the audience understood at least most of it.

Besides presentations from ASEAN experts, outlooks were also delivered by global climate agencies such as NOAA from the United States, KMA from Korea, JMA from Japan, BOM from Australia, IMD from India, and CMA from China. 

With the climate expert from IPB

Environmental practitioners and academics also attended the meeting. One of the representatives from Thailand came from the Thailand Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, while Indonesia was also represented by a climate expert from IPB.

Ms. Oh-eh, the expert from Thailand

As the host, Singapore was responsible for compiling the official ASEANCOF 2015 agreement. 

Funding for the event usually comes from USAID through NOAA, while participants are selected by their respective national meteorological services. The host also organized a formal dinner, which became one of the memorable moments of the event.

One moment in the formal dinner that arranged by the host

A Night Tour in Singapore

The city tour was not part of the official agenda. We arranged it ourselves after dinner, and sometimes we met other participants around the hotel area. On the last day, several of us agreed to visit Merlion Park by MRT. 

This was actually my second time meeting Ms. Chalalai from Thailand. We first met during NOAA training in Istanbul in 2014, and this time she brought me a Thailand T-shirt, which I wore for the trip to Merlion Park.

At MRT with Ms. Chalalai and Ms. Oh-eh.

Before walking around the area, Ms. Oh-eh suggested watching the nightly laser and light show near the waterfront. We enjoyed the show first, and then continued exploring the surroundings.

I have forgotten many small details from that night, including where we had dinner, but I clearly remember a delicious durian ice cream. I could not find its photo because it disappeared from my gallery, yet I still consider it a farewell ice cream to close the trip.

Nightly Laser & light show

Before all of that, Mr. Arif and I made a stop at Bugis Street to buy souvenirs for our colleagues back home. The full story of Bugis Street, along with its historical connection to Bugis sailors, is available here: Pusat Oleh-Oleh Bugis Street Singapura, Jejak Pelaut Bugis di Tanah Melayu.

The full story of Bugis Street, please check here:  Pusat Oleh-Oleh Bugis Street Singapura, Jejak Pelaut Bugis Di Tanah Melayu.

Bugis Street situation

Closing

That was the story of my official duty in Singapore, filled with scientific discussions, unexpected humor, enjoyable city walks, and simple moments that turned into special memories.

Some of the pictures came from the committee documentation, while others were taken from the Facebook accounts of Ms. Chalalai and Ms. Oh-eh. Thank you for reading.
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Diposting olehBang Day Sky adventurer with expertise in physics and atmospheric sciences, driven by a profound passion for history.
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