On the morning of 15th October 2023, Professor Jürg Luterbacher, Chief Scientist and Director of the Department of Science and Innovation of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), visited the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Prof. Fahu Chen, Director of ITPCAS and Chair of ATES (Association for Trans-Eurasia Exchange and Silk Road Civilization Development), Prof. Xin Li, Director of the National Tibetan Plateau/Third Pole Environment Data Center, Prof. Ailikun, Executive Director of the ATES Secretariat, and other participants from the ANSO (Alliance of International Science Organizations) Secretariat and the Motuo Comprehensive Observation and Research Centre, attended the meeting.

Prof Jürg Luterbacher first visited the State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System Environment and Resources (TPESER) in ITPCAS by inquiring about field observation and data transmission issues. At the meeting in ITPCAS, he introduced the WMO research programs of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), World Weather Research Programme (WWRP), and Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) in detail, and discussed the possibility for future cooperation between WMO and ITPCAS. He emphasized that collaboration between WMO and ITPCAS has the potential to considerably improve observation and forecasting capacities not only for the Tibetan Plateau but also for other high mountains worldwide, which is critical for regional and global sustainable development. He also stated that climate change adaptation and social resilience are based on the transdisciplinary research in the natural and social sciences, and that by focusing on long-term climate change across Eurasia, ATES has a broad scope and potential collaboration with WMO programs via an interdisciplinary and cross-regional approach to recognize the intrinsic links between climate change and the socio-economic development along the Silk Road regions.