The 17th session of the World Meteorological Congress will discuss the role of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the post-2015 development agenda and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
The Congress is also scheduled to help shape the WMO contribution to the climate change negotiations in the lead up to the Paris Climate Change Conference in December 2015, where a new climate agreement is expected to be adopted.
25 May 2015: The 17th session of the World Meteorological Congress will discuss the role of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the post-2015 development agenda and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). The Congress is also scheduled to help shape the WMO contribution to the climate change negotiations in the lead up to the Paris Climate Change Conference in December 2015, where a new climate agreement is expected to be adopted. In addition, the Congress will take decisions on the WMO’s Strategic Plan, budget and office holders for the next four years, including the appointment of a new WMO Secretary-General to replace Michel Jarraud, who will step down at the end of 2015 after serving for three terms.
The Congress is also expected to debate cross-cutting programmes to addressing the needs of the world’s expanding urban areas, which will be home to 70% of the world’s population by 2050 and will be increasingly vulnerable to weather and water-related hazards, and environmental stressors like pollution. It will review progress in implementing the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) to improve the supply and use of climate services to help adaptation efforts.
The Congress will address: the WMO global observing and information system; risk-based warnings and high impact forecasting systems; capacity development and education and training; research on high impact weather, seasonal to sub-seasonal prediction, and polar prediction; and services to the aviation industry.
The Congress opened with a statement from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who called for “bold climate action,” noting that the world is depending on meteorologists to provide the scientific knowledge needed by governments, business and civil society to make informed decisions. The meeting is taking place from 25 May to 12 June 2015, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Swiss Federal Councilor Alain Berset noted that the WMO and its members are on the “cutting edge” of DRR, pointed to the WMO as a “model” for other international organizations, and indicated that Switzerland is ready to increase its budgetary contributions to the WMO.
The Congress also opened with a ‘tweet’ from the International Space Station. [UN Press Release] [WMO Press Release] [Congress Website]