WMO Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with Regional UN System promotes partnerships to address climate change, extreme events and disaster risk reduction towards SDGs
Weather, climate and water extremes are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change. More people are exposed than ever before to multiple hazards. Forecasts of what the weather will be are no longer enough. Impact-based forecasts on what the weather will do and what people should do are vital to save lives and livelihoods. Yet one in three people are still not adequately covered by early warning systems. And, all too often, the warnings do not reach those who need them most. World Meteorological Day on 23 March 2022 therefore had the theme "Early Warning and Early Action", to spotlight the vital importance of hydrological, meteorological and climate information for disaster risk reduction. Collaboration and partnership are crucial for a great uptake of the weather, water and climate information and for disaster risk reduction.
On this occasion and taking the opportunity of the 2022 UN Economic Commission for Europe Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, WMO Regional Office for Europe, in co-leadership with UNDRR Regional Office for Europe and Central Assia and in collaboration with regional offices of UNICEF, UNDP, UNECE, UNESCO and other sister UN Agencies, organized a side event on Partnerships to address climate change, extreme events and disaster risk reduction towards SDGs.
High-level representatives of the public, private and academic sector representing the SEE MHEWS-A Strategic Alliance, CADRI partnership, Resilience Hub City of the MCR 2030 Network, the Joint Expert Group on Water and Industrial Accidents and International Commission for the Protection of Danube River showcased successful partnerships in Europe and Central Asia aimed at building resilience against climate related disaster risk in support of the sustainable development.
Dr Kornelia Radics, President of the WMO Regional Association VI (Europe) and Chair of the Regional High-Level Task Team on Inter-and Intra-Regional Cooperation, Collaboration and Development Partnerships provided highlights on the existing partnership in SEE for the establishment of a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System-Advisory, called for its replication in the other sub-regions, such as Central Asia and South Caucasus as well as for transformation of the existing collaborations into strategic partnerships to ensure the sustainability of efforts.
The event was held online and brought the attention of UN Agencies, UN Resident Coordinators, UN Country Teams in addition to the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, Universities and Disaster Management Authorities. We hope that through the representatives of the participating institutions we can pass important messages to the governments so that DRR related issues are brought high on the national agendas.
Click HERE to watch the event, learn more and get insights.