World Meteorological Organization

The 19th session of WMO's Regional Association VI (RA VI), held virtually on 15-16 October 2024, brought forward key policy instruments to strengthen Meteorological and Hydrological Services, with a focus on enhancing collaboration and preparedness. Dr. Elena Mateescu, RA VI president, welcomed participants by emphasizing the importance of maintaining the region's collaborative spirit in addressing pressing scientific and technical challenges.

WMO Secretary-General, Prof. Celeste Saulo, underscored in her opening remarks the critical role that regional associations play in supporting the global agenda of the WMO. She stressed the importance of collaboration in advancing RA VI’s contributions, remarking, “Regional association sessions are the building blocks of the Organization." Prof. Saulo commended the participants for their engagement in shaping the priorities of RA VI, particularly in aligning with global initiatives like disaster risk reduction and early warning systems.

Mr. Eoin Moran, Second Vice-President of WMO, also highlighted RA VI’s pivotal role in enhancing Meteorological and Hydrological Services across Europe. He pointed to the challenges posed by climate-related hazards and stressed the importance of humility in facing these technical and social challenges. He praised the association’s efforts in supporting global initiatives such as Early Warnings for All (EW4All), stating, “We cannot do it alone; we can only achieve this through consensus. This is the strength of our scientific and technical community.”

The session approved key policy instruments, including a Regional Programme and Mechanisms to improve cooperation among national Meteorological and Hydrological Services and formalized the Scientific Forum, which will advance research and innovation in the field. The establishment of the Regional Open Consultative Platform was another significant achievement, designed to enhance stakeholder dialogue and knowledge-sharing.

The EW4All initiative, which aims to ensure all communities, especially the most vulnerable, are protected by effective early warning systems, was a key part of the session’s agenda. While its roadmap was approved, more focused planning and strategic alignment are expected in Phase II of the session, scheduled for October 2026.

In the closing remarks, Dr. Mateescu and Dr. Filipe Lucio, Director of WMO’s Member Services Department, reinforced the importance of understanding regional needs and ensuring that discussions contribute to the broader strategic and operational plans of the WMO. They expressed anticipation for continued progress in Phase II, with particular emphasis on advancing the EW4All initiative.

The second phase of the session, scheduled for 2026, will focus on strategic planning and elections, building on the outcomes of this initial phase, and is tentatively set to take place in Bucharest, Romania, from September 28 to October 2, 2026.