The World Meteorological Congress is held every four years to decide the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) future directions. Key discussion items include: strengthening the WMO’s disaster risk reduction program in the context of increased likelihood and impact of extreme weather, climate and water-related hazards and events in a warming world with a growing population; implementing integrated and improved observation and information systems to maximize the returns on investment on surface and space infrastructure in recent years; reinforcing the aeronautical meteorology programme in view of its importance to air traffic and the need for quality assurance of these services; and capacity building programmes in developing countries to help them fully participate in WMO activities and benefit from them. More than 600 delegates, including Heads of States and Governments, Ministers, senior government officials, heads of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, and representatives of WMO partner organizations will attend the three week meeting from 16 May-3 June. It will be officially opened 16 May by WMO President Alexander Bedritskiy and Secretary-General Michel Jarraud. There will be a High Level Segment for Ministers, including a speech from H.E Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheik Hasina.  

dates: 16 May – 3 June 2011   venue: International Conference Centre of Geneva, 15/17, rue de Varembé   location: Geneva, Switzerland   phone: +41-022-730-81-11   fax: + 41-022-730-81-81   www: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/lsp/congress/index_en.php