Held in the mountain resort of Laklouk, Lebanon, its object was to consider the impact of weather and climate on health problems and economic development in the Middle and Far East. The pattern was of discussion between scientists from these areas with an international team of nearly 50 invited consultants. In fact, almost all the "host" scientists were from the Lebanon, so problems of that country broadly formed the conference background.
Afier the opening plenary session, six working groups were formed, which concerned themselves with medical, veterinary, avian, agricultural and architectural biometeorology, and with crop protection. It quickly became evident that in some of the specialist studies the host scientists were as well informed as the visitors, and that some excellent research facilities existed.
In the Agricultural Working Group, the visiting meteorologists included Dr. R. W. Gloyne (Chairman) and Mr. G. W. Hurst of Great Britain, Dr. L. A. Ramdas of India, Professor H. Gaussen and Dr. P. Legris of France, and Mr. A. J. W. Borghorst of The Netherlands. Also present was Dr. G. A. de Veille, a W.M.O. agrometeorological specialist temporarily working in the Lebanon. One difficulty facing the provision of an efficient service for agriculture and allied interests was the existence of at least three different authorities interested in the maintenance of climatological stations, and the need clearly existed for fuller coordination. Standardisation was necessary with instruments, which were of many different marks, patterns and age. The group also considered that solar radiation instruments should be improved, that more soil temperature records should be maintained, and that simple dew gauges should be installed in a representative network of stations.
in the recommendations put forward at the closing plenary session on the evening of 6th, it seemed clear that in many disciplines, scientific background and potential application were at a high level, though the conference was able to put forward suggestions for further improvement. There was, however, some lack of comnmnication of scientific knowledge and experience to the user; this was especially so in the many small holdings, worked on a one-man, part-time basis.
The expenses of the conference were largely met by the Government and by various organisations in the Lebanon, including the Development Bank, and the visiting consultants were very appreciative of the hospitality provided from many sources during and after the conference.