GUANGZHOU, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The 51st session of the Typhoon Committee, an intergovernmental body under the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), opened in southern China's Guangzhou city on Tuesday.

During the four-day session, about 180 meteorologists from the committee's 14 members, government officials as well as representatives from international organizations will discuss how to improve typhoon monitoring and forecasting in the Asia-Pacific.

Petteri Taalas, secretary-general of WMO, said it was highly important for countries and regions to work together and share experiences with each other to face typhoon-related disasters.

"The Asia-Pacific region is one of the regions most affected by tropical cyclones. The committee's members have collaborated to mitigate the damages caused by typhoons," said Yu Yong, deputy director of China Meteorological Administration.

Yu added that China had played an important role in the region's typhoon forecasting and personnel training.

"China's Fengyun meteorological satellites now serve over 90 countries and regions," he said. "We have also provided training programs for more than 30 people from the committee's members."

Guangdong provincial meteorological bureau received the Dr. Kintanar Award from the committee at the opening ceremony for its outstanding work in typhoon forecasting and disaster mitigation. The coastal province is one of the most affected by typhoons in China.

Founded in 1968, the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee is dedicated to promoting regional cooperation to minimize the damages caused by typhoons in the Asia-Pacific region.