4 November 2008: The 13th session of the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) Commission for Hydrology opened on 4 November
2008 at WMO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and will conclude on 12
November. The Commission for Hydrology shapes the water-related activities of
the WMO, and addresses issues related to the basic hydrological observation
network, water resources assessment, flood forecasting and management,
adaptabili

ty to climate variability and change, and promotes exchange of
technology and capacity building. The Commission meets every four years, the
twelfth session having been held at the same venue in October 2004. At its 13th
session, the Commission will review ongoing activities and make decisions on
issues including those related to climate change and water. In this regard, the
Commission will consider its role within a WMO initiative to support adaptation
to climate variability and change through strengthening the role and capacity
of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, particularly in
developing and Least Developed Countries.
It will also discuss its contribution
to the World Climate Conference in 2009 and to WMO activities on climate
science, assessment, monitoring and early warning as a crosscutting area within
the UN system. In addition to climate issues, the Commission will address the
WMO Flood Forecasting Initiative and the proposed HelpDesk for flood
management. [Meeting
Website]