ISTANBUL - Veysel Eroglu, Turkish Minister of Environment and Forestry, said Sunday Turkey contributes to global meteorological problems, such as climate change, desertification and destruction of ozone layer, by observation techniques and scientific efforts.
Eroglu participated in the inauguration of a new building of Meteorology Department in Kartal district of Istanbul on Sunday as part of the celebrations of "March 23 World Meteorological Day".
Speaking at the ceremony, Eroglu indicated that "humanity today pays more attention to air, climate and water issues and related natural disasters compared to past centuries."
"Statistics show that meteorological and hydrologic related disasters cause the deaths of hundreds of people and serious property loss. We need to work on minimizing the risks of natural disasters and establish early warning systems," Eroglu noted.
Each year, on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization, its 188 members and the worldwide meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day.
This day commemorates the entry into force, on that day in 1950, of the WMO Convention creating the Organization. Subsequently, in 1951, WMO was designated a specialized agency of the United Nations System.
(SOL-AY)