2018 Annual Report : WMO for the Twenty-First Century

WEATHER CLIMATE WATER 2018 Annual Report WMO for the Twenty-first Century WMO-No. 1229 Cover photo credits: Aurora borealis dancing with the moon, Kilpisjarvi, Finland, © Lionel Peyraud/WMO WMO Secretary-General, Petteri Taalas, and United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, UN Photo/Loey Felipe A test model of the main imager for Europe’s forthcoming Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite, European Space Agency Desert rainbow, © William Hanlon Arctic summer 2018, © Karolin Eichler/WMO WMO-No. 1229 © World Meteorological Organization, 2019 The right of publication in print, electronic and any other form and in any language is reserved by WMO. Short extracts from WMO publications may be reproduced without authorization, provided that the complete source is clearly indicated. Editorial correspondence and requests to publish, reproduce or translate this publication in part or in whole should be addressed to: Chair, Publications Board World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 7 bis, avenue de la Paix P.O. Box 2300 CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Tel.: +41 (0) 22 730 84 03 Fax: +41 (0) 22 730 81 17 Email: [email protected] ISBN 978-92-63-11229-3 NOTE The designations employed in WMO publications and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WMO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WMO in preference to others of a similar nature which are not mentioned or advertised. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in WMO publications with named authors are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of WMO or its Members. WEATHER CLIMATE WATER 2018 Annual Report WMO for the Twenty-first Century WMO-No. 1229 i CONTENTS FOREWORD . v INTRODUCTION �� 1 I. BETTER SERVING SOCIETY �� 2 Information for decision-making �� 2 The WMO Statement on the State of the Global Climate . .2 A special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ��2 A new study assessing sea-level rise over the past 25 years . .3 Measuring greenhouse gases . .3 Assessment of ozone depletion and recovery . .3 Reducing greenhouse gases in Latin America ��4 Operational activities and services to the community . 5 Strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems . .5 The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems initiative . .5 A checklist for multi-hazard early warning systems to protect people . .5 2018 LUI Che Woo Prize for Welfare Betterment awarded to WMO . .6 WMO and the Hong Kong Observatory expand cooperation ��6 Water for sustainable development ��7 Twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System ��7 Forecasting services for the Arctic ��8 National Frameworks for Climate Services ��8 International cooperation �� 8 A global coalition on health, the environment and climate change ��8 Sharing information with the energy and aviation sectors ��10 II. BRIDGING THE CAPACITY GAP . .11 International collaboration and partnerships ��11 The Global Hydromet Compact . 11 WMO science, knowledge and expertise in support of development partners �� 11 ii CONTENTS Regional highlights �� 12 Investing in Africa . .12 Targeting early warning in the Americas ��13 Forecasting dengue outbreaks in the Caribbean ��13 Strengthening hydrometeorological and early warning services in the Caribbean ��13 Weather-ready nations ��14 Supporting climate services in the Andes . .14 Stepping up action in Asia and the Pacific . .14 The Central Asia Hydrometeorology Modernization Project . .14 Meteorological support to the Belt and Road Initiative . .14 Support to farmers and agribusiness in south-east Asia . .15 Strengthening hydrometeorological and early warning services in the Pacific ��15 Weather and climate early warning system in Papua New Guinea ��15 Developing climate information services in Vanuatu . .15 Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific . .15 Coastal flooding forecasting strengthened in Indonesia . .16 Afghanistan hails new, improved hydrometerological service . .17 Sharing information and resources across south-eastern Europe ��18 Developing and maintaining core competencies and expertise �� 18 Professional excellence improves service ��18 Leadership and management development ��18 Fellowships awarded in 2018 . .18 Training delivery in brief ��18 III. WMO GOVERNANCE, BUDGET AND STAFFING . 19 WMO governance �� 19 Budget, staffing and structure ....................................................20 Gender balance . .20 Results of the WMO UN-SWAP reporting: 2016–2017 ��21 WMO Strategic Plan 2020–2030 ��23 Alignment of WMO structure ��24 iii “A world where all nations, especially the most vulnerable, are more resilient to the socioeconomic impact of extreme weather, climate, water and other environmental events, and are empowered to boost their sustainable development through the best possible weather, climate and water services” (WMO vision 2030) This Annual Report does not aim to provide a comprehensive review of all that WMO achieved in the year – such details are available in the official documents posted on the WMO website. Instead, it provides a snapshot of progress on selected activities that have recently made a significant impact on people’s lives and well-being. iv FOREWORD Climate change is clearly visible. In 2018, the Congress. An extraordinary thematic Congress is foreseen Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special two years after every main session of Congress. There is a report, Global Warming of 1.5 °C, issued an “ear-splitting desire to get a considerably greater number of Members wake-up call to the world”, declared the United Nations and WMO partner organizations participating in the work Secretary-General António Guterres. The report stressed of the new constituent bodies. the obvious benefits to human welfare, ecosystems and sustainable economic development of keeping warming to There is also a desire to engage research and innovation 1.5 °C compared to 2 °C. According to the report, limiting partners, as well as the hydrological community, to become warming to 1.5 °C is technically possible within the laws an integral part of WMO, and to benefit from their expertise of physics, but would entail a 45% cut from 2010 levels in in science, observations and services. Engagement of the global emissions of carbon dioxide by 2030, then further private sector in the core activities of WMO has increased cuts to get down to zero by 2050. considerably in recent years. WMO is planning to interact with the private sector in a more coordinated way and to Three consecutive annual World Economic Forum (WEF) benefit from its expertise at global and national levels. Global Risks Reports have highlighted the urgency of addressing weather, climate and water extremes

Load more