On September 3, Professor Paolo Laj, Head of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Programme at the Science and Innovation Department of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), visited the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (CESE) of Peking University (PKU). The exchange and discussion involved CESE Professor ZHU Tong, a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ms. LI Ke, Programme Officer of the International Relations Office of PKU, Associate Professors CHEN Qi, GONG Jicheng, YE Chunxiang, and Dr. WAN Wei, Member of the WMO-GAW ARCH Working Group.

During the visit, Professor Laj presented an overview of WMO GAW Programme, including its background, scientific aspects, and implementation plan, and outlined potential areas for the strategic partnership between WMO GAW and PKU. This included enhancing research collaboration and exchange activities, with a focus on the priorities and operating mechanisms of the WMO GAW Air Pollution, Climate Change, and Health Effects Nexus Working Group (ARCH WG).

In response, Prof. ZHU Tong extended a warm welcome to Professor Laj. He emphasized PKU's solid foundation in the field of environmental health research and expressed the expectation for close collaboration with WMO GAW in establishing the WMO-GAW ARCH International Coordination Office (ICO). This aims to deepen the comprehensive cooperation between PKU and WMO, promoting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, regional capacity-building, and international exchange cooperation in the field of air, climate and health.

Ms. Li Ke introduced PKU's international exchange and cooperation projects, expressing support for establishing the WMO-GAW ARCH ICO at PKU on behalf of the International Relations Office of PKU. Additionally, Prof. CHEN Qi provided an overview of the progress and highlights of international cooperation and exchange projects of CESE, while Dr. WAN Wei discussed the progress and next steps for the WMO-GAW ARCH WG. Prof. YE Chunxiang introduced and highlighted the recent achievements in high-altitude scientific research conducted by CESE in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.

During the meeting, discussions centered around the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WMO and PKU. Both parties agreed on the basic principles and exchanged views on the format and contents of the MOU. Discussions also revolved around the priority areas, operational mechanisms, and upcoming events of the WMO-GAW ARCH WG. Both parties expressed their anticipation of comprehensive cooperation in scientific research, education exchange, and capacity-building.

Ms. HUANG Xinhao, Head of the Secretariat of the AiR-Climate-Health Integrated Study and Exchange Platform at CESE accompanied the visit and participated in the discussion.