Climate scientists from around the world have been called together by Indonesian Minister for Research and Technology, Dr Habibie, to assess the el Niño Effect, as Indonesia suffers prolonged drought, and fires continue to burn in the tropical forests.

President Soeharto will open the three-day el Niño Conference in Jakarta on Monday. Australia's Minister for Science and Technology, the Hon. John Moore, will attend the opening.

A delegation of scientists from CSIRO Atmospheric Research and CSIRO Division of Marine Research will be led by Dr Nan Bray, Chief of Marine Research and an expert on ocean currents in the Indonesian region.

Dr Bray will investigate the possibility of developing a major research project on the study of climate change impacts between Indonesia and Australia, involving CSIRO, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, with the equivalent Indonesian institutions.

"Australia and Indonesia share a common regional concern about the effects of global climate change and the el Niño phenomenon," says CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Malcolm McIntosh.

"CSIRO scientists have been researching the el Niño effect for many years," says Dr McIntosh. "The Jakarta conference will enable scientists from all over the world to discuss the research which has already been undertaken on el Niño, and to plan for the future."

Dr McIntosh says that the CSIRO delegation includes international experts in vital areas of el Niño research.

"Dr Jorgen Jensen and Dr Bryan Ryan are doing significant work on the importance of aerosol particles on regulating climate change, particularly particles released by bushfires and forest fires," says Dr McIntosh.

"Dr George Cresswell of the Division of Marine Research has studied rainfall patterns in Indonesia and the region, and the influence of the Throughflow between the Indian and Pacific Oceans."

Dr Graham Harris, Chief of CSIRO Land and Water will be represented in Jakarta by Dr Trevor Readhead of the CSIRO's joint project with LIPI, the Indonesian state research institution.

Dr Harris will recommend the adoption of catchment management systems designed to cope with high population density, increased agricultural activity in upstream areas, and the need to protect natural resources and the ecosystem.

Dr McIntosh says that the CSIRO delegation to the Jakarta conference reflects the commitment of CSIRO to the issue of climate change, and the importance which CSIRO attaches to the conference.

More information from:

Paul Holper 03-9239 4661
0419 894 427
Craig Macaulay 03-6232 5219