RA VI Hydrology Advisers Forum
The meeting aimed to inform participants about recent developments in the WMO framework, consult on various topics, and engage in ongoing programs and projects.
Key outcomes of the Hydrological Assembly included the re-election of Jan Danhelka (Czech Republic) as the Chair of the Assembly and the Hydrological Coordination Panel. Jan Danhelka was also elected as the Hydrological Advisor to the President of WMO.
Congress approved three resolutions proposed by the Assembly, supporting the Vision and Strategy for Hydrology and its Plan of Action. Regional plans for HydroSOS implementation were approved.
The meeting discussed the establishment of a HydroSOS task team, the upcoming Regional Association VI session, and the potential merger of the RA VI Scientific Forum with the Hydrological Forum. Discussions of the upcoming Regional Association VI session aimed to synchronize the Hydrology Assembly with the main event, planned for October 2026. This information is crucial to emphasize the importance of early preparation for the RA VI Hydrology Assembly.
The development of regional WIGOS centers, the EW4All initiative, and the state of global water resources report were also important topics. Updates were provided on the development of the RA VI (Regional Association VI) plan of action to implement the EW4All (Early Warning for All) initiative of WMO. The Management Group decided to prioritize ten Member States with the lowest GDP for the assessment process related to the early warning for all initiative. Additionally, the Regional Association VI was requested to define priority hazard events, and the Forum agreed to include droughts and floods in the list of important hazards. A collaborative workshop is scheduled to take place at WMO HQs, where participants from various sectors, including working groups and task teams, will work together on a preliminary draft. The aim is to develop a concrete action plan that garners support and commitment from countries, as their involvement is crucial for the success of the initiative.
Further discussions revolved around upcoming major events within the WMO, including the Service Commission and Infrastructure Commission meetings, the presentation of the state of global water resources report, and the coordination efforts to implement early warning systems for all people on Earth within the next five years.
SERCOM-3 will take place in Bali at the beginning of March 2024. Hydrological topics will be covered in various documents, especially those related to the EW4All initiative, and specific documents will focus on the list of hydrological and cryosphere-related milestones that SERCOM will tackle. This will be accompanied by an invitation to Members to nominate experts for contributing to specific activities leading to those milestones.
At INFCOM-3, in April 15-19 in Geneva, there will be decision level papers and discussions regarding the restructuring of hydrology within INFCOM and enhancing the engagement of hydrologists. A draft proposal will be shared, the agenda of INFCOM-3 must receive approval from the INFCOM management group. There will be decision on a report on hydrological data centers. The meeting will address the designation of new hydrological centers within the WIPPS framework; a call for the designation of new hydro centers was circulated in October. Currently at INFCOM level, there is one Vice President representing hydrology, Silvano Pecora (Italy). Elections at INFCOM-3 will take place, potentially impacting the officer positions.
The meeting was informed that while planning participation at SERCOM and INFCOM, it's crucial to ensure the inclusion of the hydrological advisors or other technical experts regarding hydrology in the country's official delegation.
The meeting touched upon the WMO state of global water resources report that observed a significant increase in engagement, with more contributing countries and stations. Furthermore, the peer review process witnessed greater participation and involvement, ensuring a robust and comprehensive assessment. The report describes the condition of the world's water resources, taking into account elements such as soil moisture, groundwater, evapotranspiration, and cryosphere components. It demands increased worldwide sharing and data accessibility. It employs novel techniques, such as remotely sensed products and modelled data, to fill in data gaps. Peer review participation rose along with the number of contributing Members and stations. The report uses historical data to compare variables, which could result in regional reports needing more information.