ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: The World Meteorological Organisation of the United Nations has unanimously re-elected Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry vice-president of WMO for Asian Region for four years.

Dr Qamar, adviser to the ministry of defence on climate affairs, was elected to the post during the 15th regional conference held in Qatar last week.

A well-reputed figure in the field of meteorology and climate sciences, Dr Qamar has been a member of the WMO’s executive council from 2003 to 2007 and WMO’s vice-president for Asia region from 2009 to 2012.

Interestingly, in spite of Dr Qamar’s candidature having been approved by the minister of foreign affairs, formal nomination for his election from the Foreign Office did not reach the WMO in time. Japan, China and South Korea jointly submitted his nomination and all other countries elected him unanimously.

Dr Qamar has served as director-general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department and contributed to its modernisation.

He received Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2011 and President’s Pride of Performance Award in 1999.