2 September 2008: Addressing the World Water Congress, which
is taking place from 1-4 September 2008, in Montpellier, France, Michel
Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),
noted that agriculture, energy, tourism and health will be among the sectors
most affected by the impacts of climate change on water resources.

Recalling
that six of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) relate to water
resources management, he said that the anticipated increase in climate
variability due to climate change was likely to result in severe floods,
droughts and cyclones, thereby having an adverse effect on the global efforts
being made to meet the MDGs by 2015.
He highlighted water resources managers’
need for accurate and reliable climate information, and said WMO has launched a
funding appeal to set up hydrological information systems that can provide this
kind information, in particular in developing countries. Among future
challenges, he mentioned: access to water and increasing demands; development
and optimization of the use of irrigation in food production; and competition
for water resources between food production and other agricultural sectors, including
biofuels production and hydroelectricity.
He also outlined the upcoming World
Climate Conference-3, scheduled to convene in Geneva, Switzerland, from 31
August to 4 September 2009, under the theme of climate prediction and
information for decision-making. [WMO press release, 2 September 2008]