April 9, 2003	Wednesday	Safar 6, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, April 8: Pakistan is likely to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) for enhancing cooperation in research, education and training in the field of weather and climate forecast.

A senior official told Dawn on Tuesday that the decision on the issue was expected to be made in a meeting of the federal cabinet on Wednesday.

The MoU would be signed between Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Islamabad, and Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the official added.

He said the MoU would come into force from the date of its signature and would be valid for five years. It would be renewed automatically for similar periods unless terminated, he added.

Under the MoU, Numerical Weather Predication Models would be developed, tested and validated to improve the understanding of the natural topography and related terrain features.

The two institutions will enhance cooperation to investigate the role of Himalayas and Tibet Plateau in regional weather and climate variability and to assess the variability and predictability of monsoon system and its relationship with global warming.

The official said overall objective of the memorandum of understanding was to promote mutual cooperation in research among the scientists of participating institutions (PIs) and to launch a joint venture.