17 September 2008: The World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have agreed
to increase their cooperation in the development of international standards
related to meteorological and hydrological data, products and services.

ISO
Secretary-General Alan Bryden and WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud signed
an agreement on Working Arrangements on 16 September 2008, in Geneva,
Switzerland, to formalize the partnership. The Working Arrangements between the
WMO and ISO aim to strengthen the development of International Standards and to
avoid duplication of work on standards related to meteorological,
climatological, hydrological, marine and related environmental data, products
and services. Procedures are now in place for the accelerated adoption by ISO
of WMO documents as ISO standards.
WMO and ISO will develop, approve and
publish common standards based on WMO technical regulations, manuals and
guides. Upon signing the arrangements, Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of
WMO, stated that the new procedures “would clarify the authority of WMO
documents and enhance their international recognition and dissemination.
This
will be of particular importance to the activities of National Hydrological and
Meteorological Services in addressing standard issues.” Alan Bryden, Secretary
General of ISO, underlined that the agreement was an illustration of the
increasing collaboration between the UN System and ISO, as well as of the
contribution of international standards to responding to the challenges of
climate change. [WMO
information note]