WMO contributes to the Launch of the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2024
On April 2, 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched the "Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition in Europe and Central Asia 2024" in Geneva. This comprehensive report, developed in collaboration with seven UN agencies—including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)—focuses on "Managing Water Resources Sustainably for Improved Food Security and Nutrition."
WMO played a significant role in contributing to the report, particularly in analyzing the impacts of water resource management on food security in Europe and Central Asia. This work is part of WMO Regional Office for Europe’s engagement in the UN Issue-Based Coalition for Sustainable Food Systems for Europe and Central Asia, which fosters inter-agency collaboration to address food security challenges through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.
The Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2024 is a product of collaborative efforts among multiple UN agencies within the Issue-Based Coalition for Sustainable Food Systems. The participating agencies include:
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
These agencies work together to strengthen policy coherence, share expertise, and promote sustainable food systems, with WMO providing essential hydrological and climate-related insights.
During the launch event, Kornélia Radics, Director of WMO’s Regional Office for Europe, participated in the panel discussion, sharing insights on WMO’s efforts to strengthen water governance in transboundary river basins, including the Danube, Rhine, and Sava. These regions face increasing challenges such as flooding, droughts, and water scarcity, which necessitate coordinated, science-driven responses. WMO, in collaboration with International River Basin Commissions and National Hydrological and Meteorological Services, provides technical assistance, hydrological tools, and data-sharing platforms to enhance water resource management.
WMO’s Global Hydrological Status and Outlook System (HydroSOS) plays a pivotal role in providing real-time assessments of water availability, including surface water, groundwater, and soil moisture. HydroSOS is to designed to deliver essential forecasts on subseasonal to seasonal scales, equipping decision-makers with the data needed for proactive water management, agricultural planning, and food security enhancement.
Additionally, the WMO Hydrological Observing System (WHOS) facilitates international cooperation by enabling the seamless exchange of hydrological data and metadata across borders. This interoperability fosters improved collective water management efforts and directly supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 13 on Climate Action).
WMO’s contribution to the Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2024 underscores the organization’s commitment to bridging water data gaps, strengthening regional collaboration, and enhancing resilience to climate variability. By leveraging systems like HydroSOS and WHOS, WMO continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that sustainable water management strategies contribute to improved food security and nutrition in Europe and Central Asia.
Watch the launch via the UN Web TV.