Three years into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and at the start of the UN decade “Water for Sustainable Development”, the state of our water resources is recognized as one of the greatest global challenges faced by our rapidly transforming world. Sustainability of water resources and reduction of the risks posed by water related disasters can only be achieved by addressing the full water data value chain from the collection of data to the production of efficient hydrological services that allow informed decision and policy making. Access to reliable hydrological information in a timely way is thus an imperative that requires immediate, coordinated action at national, regional and global levels, and is key to adapting our societies to climate change and improving quality of life.
The HydroConference that took place in the premises of the WMO in Geneva brought together 219 participants coming from 85 countries and 34 organizations, and comprising of representatives from Ministries responsible for water, meteorology, agriculture, energy, disaster risk reduction, economy, and development aid; hydrological and meteorological government agencies; environmental NGOs; academic and applied science research institutions; financing institutions; UN System agencies; and private sector entities.
The HydroConference recognized that a large body of valuable information on the benefits, gaps and challenges encountered by countries in producing and disseminating hydrological services in support of water management and disaster risk reduction was provided prior to and during the conference. In the context of these contributions, which will be disseminated on the conference website, the participants:
- Expressed their gratitude to WMO, UNESCO, GFDRR/WBG, FAO, GWP, ICHARM, UNECE, IAHS, USAID, SDC for having co-organized and supported the HydroConference to increase the visibility and to highlight the importance of hydrological services;
- Further expressed their gratitude to the dignitaries who delivered statements during the high-level segment of the HydroConference highlighting the need for scientists, operational agencies, river basin organizations, educators, policy makers, funders and investors to join forces in the development of hydrological services that support urgent water needs and kindly requested them to continue championing international cooperation and coordination in support of the delivery of hydrological services;
- Thanked and appreciated WMO for taking the initiative of hosting the HydroConference and recommended that its Commission for Hydrology takes a leading role in organizing the follow-up efforts to advance the complete hydrological value chain, in particular those related to operational hydrology;
- Stressed the importance of fora for intergovernmental cooperation in operational hydrology to support Member States in building and enhancing hydrological data, products and services, and recommended strengthening hydrological representation in WMO Constituent Bodies;
- Recognized the important role of the weather and climate communities in supporting the development of hydrological services and called for their increased cooperation with the hydrological community at the national, regional and global levels;
- Acknowledged the important role of multiple UN entities and partners in different parts of the value chain and called for greater alignment of initiatives in the area of hydrological services under the umbrella of UN-Water;
- Resolved to form a partnership and develop a framework and guidance for reinforcing hydrological services based on user needs in order to:
- Foster collaboration for sustainable, improved, tailored and affordable hydrological services;
- Strengthen the capacities of National Hydrological and Hydrometeorological Services;
- Support regional and transboundary initiatives and approaches that optimize basin-wide water management, including hydrologic data exchange;
- Improve understanding of the societal benefits of hydrological services;
- Assist in responding to requirements of international processes; and
- Develop and maintain an online Matrix of Engagements updated as necessary.
- Determined that World Water Day and World Meteorological Day 2020 offer excellent opportunities to take stock of progress made in the follow-up of the HydroConference.