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Media advisories/Info notes

Media Advisory - African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology in Africa - Nairobi, Kenya, 12 to 16 April 2010

The African continent is especially vulnerable to climate change, which affects all sectors of activity, from agriculture to food security, public health and water resources management, and therefore poses serious threat to development. While it is up to African leaders to assess the situation and decide on ways to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the population, African National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are the major players to provide critical information to decision-makers and main users. >> full text

For background, see WMO Press Release No. 879: English French Arabic

No. 62— WMO Experts issue update on the impacts of climate change on tropical cyclones

GENEVA – 23 February 2010 (WMO) – The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Expert Team on Climate Change Impacts on Tropical Cyclones (i.e. hurricanes, typhoons) concluded that, if twenty-first century warming occurs as projected, there will likely be an increase, on average worldwide, in the maximum wind speed of tropical cyclones of +2 to +11 % and in rainfall rates of approximately 20% within 100 km of the storm centre. The experts concluded that the total number of tropical cyclones worldwide will likely either decrease or remain unchanged. However, a likely increase in tropical cyclone intensity means that the frequency of the strongest tropical cyclones will more likely than not increase under the projected warming scenarios. >> full text

No. 61— WMO research advances the prediction of winter weather through the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games

No. 60 — WMO and International Consortium to collaborate on Geospatial standards

Geneva, 27 January 2010 (WMO) - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC), to enhance the development and use of geospatial standards. It is anticipated that this collaboration will support the implementation of the WMO Information System which aims at providing a single coordinated global infrastructure for the collection and sharing of information in support of all WMO and related international programmes. >> full text

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No. 59— Global Cryosphere Watch to support needs for weather, climate and water information and services

Geneva, 20 January 2010 (WMO) - The international community is working within the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) towards the establishment of a Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) to serve societal needs for weather, climate and water and related environmental information and services. At its next quadrennial session in 2011, the World Meteorological Congress – WMO’s supreme governing body – is to consider ways and means of developing and implementing a GCW. >> full text

No. 58— World Record Wind Gust: 408 km/h

Geneva, 22 January 2010 (WMO) - According to a recent review conducted by a panel of experts in charge of global weather and climate extremes within the WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) the record of wind gusts not related to tornados registered to date is 408 km/h during Tropical Cyclone Olivia on 10 April 1996 at Barrow Island, Australia. The previous record was of 372 km/h, registered in April 1934 across the summit of Mount Washington, USA. >> full text

11-12 January 2010: Intergovernmental meeting on the GFCS high-level taskforce

From 11 to 12 January 2010, the Intergovernmental Meeting for the High-Level Taskforce on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) will take place at the Geneva International Conference Centre (CICG) in Switzerland. The meeting is convened in accordance with the Declaration adopted by World Climate Conference-3 (31 August to 4 September 2009). Its purpose is to approve the terms of reference and endorse the composition of a high-level taskforce of independent advisors, on the basis of proposals made by the WMO Secretary-General. This taskforce will follow up with recommendations for the development of the GFCS.

Media Advisory - 4 December 2009: WMO at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change - Copenhagen, Denmark - 7-18 December 2009

The World Meteorological Organization has been instrumental in facilitating and coordinating the contributions of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to assist Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to fulfil their obligations under the Convention. >> full text

No. 56 — Italian-language version of weather forecast website launched today

Geneva, 28 August 2009 (WMO) - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced today that the Italian-language version of the award-winning website for the WMO official city weather forecasts was launched in collaboration with the Servizio Meteorologico dell’Aeronautica Militare, the national weather service of Italy. >> full text

Media Advisory - 30 June 2009: Press Conferences announcing World Climate Conference-3

World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3) will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 31 August to 4 September 2009. A WCC-3 media kit will be launched in different countries. The main launch will take place on 30 June 2009 at 11:30 in Geneva, at the Palais des Nations, Room III. Speakers will be Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, Daniel K. Keuerleber-Burk, Director of MeteoSuisse, and José Romero (Federal Office of the Environment, Switzerland), Chairman of the WCC-3 High-Level Subcommittee.>> full text

Possible El Niño in late-2009 closely monitored

Sea-surface temperature conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean along the equator are overall still considered to be near neutral at this point in time, with no El Niño or La Niña conditions. However, recent changes in the condition of the ocean and the atmosphere in that region coupled with an increasing number of computer models' projections are now suggesting the possible development of the onset of an El Niño event in the latter part of 2009. While not assured that this will occur, the current situation in the tropical Pacific warrants especially careful monitoring during the next couple of months to identify additional shifts that might favour more convincingly the development of an El Niño. As of now, the current assessment suggests that a La Niña event is very unlikely and there is an equal possibility of either neutral conditions continuing or an El Niño beginning to develop. This translates to a substantially elevated risk of an El Niño developing later this year. The next month or two are therefore critical for monitoring the situation.   For details, please see the attached WMO El Nino / La Niña Update

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For background, see WMO Press Release No. 840: http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/press_releases/pr_840_en.html

and WMO World Climate Programme website: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcasp/enso_update_latest.html

Media Advisory - 11 June 2009: WMO highlights at the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, Geneva, Switzerland, 16-19 June 2009

As a key actor in disaster risk reduction, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) will be actively involved in the second session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2009, convened by the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat (UN/ISDR) from 16 to 19 June 2009 at the Geneva International Conference Center (CICG). This event will bring together Heads of State and/or Government, other Senior government officials, representatives of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental, as well as non-governmental organizations. The 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, with major contributions by WMO, will be a key document for the Global Platform. (More information at: www.PreventionWeb.org). >> full text

No. 55— The Russian Hydrometeorological Service is marking its 175th anniversary in 2009. WMO Secretary-General M. Jarraud took part in events to celebrate the milestone

Geneva, 5 May 2009 (WMO) – The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Météo-France are sponsoring on 5-7 May 2009, the “Second Experts’ Symposium on Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems, with focus on the Role of National Hydrometeorological Services”, in Toulouse, France, to review for the first time lessons learnt and examples of good practices in early warning systems in different countries around the world. >> full text

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Media Advisory - 12 May: World Climate Conference-3, International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG), Geneva, Switzerland, 31 August to 4 September 2009

Representatives of the mass media — press, photo, radio and television — will need to be accredited for the coverage of the Conference. >> full text

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Request Form for accreditation (English and French)

No. 54— Top experts to review best practices in early warning systems

Geneva, 5 May 2009 (WMO) – The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Météo-France are sponsoring on 5-7 May 2009, the “Second Experts’ Symposium on Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems, with focus on the Role of National Hydrometeorological Services”, in Toulouse, France, to review for the first time lessons learnt and examples of good practices in early warning systems in different countries around the world. >> full text

No. 53 — Chilean Directorate of Meteorology founded 125 years ago

Santiago de Chile/Geneva, 26 March 2009 (WMO/DMC) - The Chilean Directorate of Meteorology (DMC) was founded 125 years ago. The event celebrated today in Santiago de Chile was attended by Mr Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), who highlighted the significant progress made in meteorological services. >> full text

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No. 52 — New radiosonde to shed light on climate change

Geneva – 9 February 2009 (WMO)- Radiosondes are critically important to measure climate. The positive response of the private sector to a call by scientists to develop a new radiosonde will help promote the establishment by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) of a Reference Upper-air Network (GRUAN). This new generation of radiosondes will allow more accurate measurements of temperature and humidity trends in the atmosphere, leading to better understanding and prediction of climate change. >> full text

Media Advisory - February 6th: Upcoming release of new evidence about change in the polar regions

Geneva, 24-25 February 2009 (ICSU / IPY / WMO): International Polar Year event: A milestone in our understanding of the Earth system is the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008, a joint initiative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the International Council for Science (ICSU). Thousands of scientists from over 60 countries have carried out over 160 research and outreach projects, which advance our understanding in many areas, including global climate change. New insights in polar knowledge resulting from this historical undertaking will be made public at a ceremony at WMO headquarters on 25 February 2009, where the “State of Polar Research”, a succinct report with preliminary findings of IPY will be released. This will be preceded by a press conference at the Palais des Nations. >> full text

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Media Advisory - December 4th: Polar day focusing above the polar regions

Geneva, 4 December 2008 (ICSU / IPY / WMO) - The International Polar Year 2007-8 (IPY) will launch its seventh International Polar Day focusing on research Above the Polar Regions, including meteorology, atmospheric science, astronomy and the view of the polar regions from space. This event coincides with the start of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA). >> full text

No. 51 - WMO presents 2008 VÄISÄLÄ AWARDS to eight Scientists for their research, and development on instruments and methods of observation

Geneva, 27 November 2008 (WMO) – New methods to observe wind from Doppler radar and to evaluate rain intensity gauges received top honors today at a ceremony in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. The ceremony to present the two Professor Dr Vilho Väisälä Awards took place in conjunction with TECO-2008 and METEOREX-2008. >> full text

No. 50 - WMO brings together manufacturers and users of meteorological instruments and observing systems

Geneva, 27 November 2008 (WMO) – Reliable, accurate and stable instrumentation for observing and monitoring the atmosphere, land and seas is a prerequisite for the provision of weather, climate and water forecasts. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) facilitates global cooperation on setting standards for high-quality data collection. To that end, it is hosting a Technical Conference on Meteorological and Environmental Instruments and Methods of Observation (TECO-2008) from 27 to 29 November 2008 in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. TECO-2008 is being held concurrently with the Exhibition of Meteorological Instruments, Related Equipment and Services (METEOREX-2008), which will showcase advances in meteorological instruments and observing systems. >> full text

No. 49 -A better understanding of the effects of Global Aerosol Pollution on rain and snow would significantly improve weather and climate prediction

Geneva, 28 November 2008 (WMO) – Countries need more accurate predictions of rain and snowfall: to improve forecasts for severe events such as flooding and drought; to manage water resources for agriculture, energy and the drinking supply; and to enable the tourism and other economic sectors to adapt to local changes, among a host of other uses. Air pollutants, particularly tiny particles called aerosols, play a very significant role in how rain, snow and hail form in the atmosphere.  The new international scientific review Aerosol Pollution Impact on Precipitation, released today by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and published jointly with the International Union for Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), examines what scientists know and don’t know about how aerosols affect global weather and climate patterns. >> full text

No. 48 - Strengthening hydro- meteorological services in least developed countries for enhancing socio-economic development

Geneva, 6 October 2008 (WMO) –The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has brought together from 6 to 10 October 2008, in Port Vila, Vanuatu, development partners, Senior government officials in charge of development policy and Heads of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services of 15 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Asia and the Pacific to forge new partnerships for achieving national and regional development goals.>> full text

Media Advisory - Polar Day Focusing on People

On September 24th, 2008, the International Polar Year 2007-8 (IPY) will launch its sixth ‘International Polar Day' focusing on People in Polar Regions, especially on community and cultural well-being, health issues, and the role of the Arctic in the global economy. This Polar Day occurs at the time when combined effects of modern climatic, environmental, economic, and social change challenge the resilience of many Arctic communities and when polar residents, IPY researchers, and public at large address the future of the polar regions from new societal, humanistic, and environmental perspectives. >> full text

No. 47 — WMO and ISO strengthen partnership on international standardization

Geneva, 16 September 2008 – WMO/ISO : 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 today signed an agreement on Working arrangements in Geneva, Switzerland, to formalize the partnership. >> full text

No. 46 — WMO World Weather Information Service wins Stockholm Challenge Award 2008

Geneva/Hong Kong, 13 June 2008 (WMO) – The WMO World Weather Information Service (WWIS) Website has won the Stockholm Challenge Award 2008 in the Environment category. This global website, at worldweather.wmo.int, offers access by all to the latest weather forecasts of selected cities worldwide issued by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of WMO Member States and Territories. To date, 118 Members supply official weather forecasts for 1270 cities. 1272 cities from 161 WMO Members also have their climatological data presented in this web site. >> full text

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No. 45 — Rural communities in West Africa to benefit from education in use of climate information

GENEVA, 25 April 2008 (WMO) – Severe droughts, floods or temperature extremes impede sustainable farming development in the Sahelian countries of West Africa. Climate variability and change contribute to the vulnerability of individual farms, as well as entire rural communities, threatening food security in the region. Improving weather predictions and helping farmers reap the benefit for enhancing food security are a priority for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). >> full text

No. 44 — Temporary La Niña’s cooling effect does not stall global warming

GENEVA, 4 April 2008 (WMO) - The long-term upward trend of global warming, mostly driven by greenhouse gas emissions, is continuing.  Global temperatures in 2008 are expected to be above the long-term average. The decade from 1998 to 2007 has been the warmest on record, and the global average surface temperature has risen by 0.74C since the beginning of the 20th Century. >> full text

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No. 43 — Jagadish Shukla Wins International Meteorological Organization Prize

Geneva, 3 April 2008 (WMO) - Renowned scientist Professor Jagadish Shukla has been awarded the 52nd International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize for his contributions to meteorological and hydrological science. >> full text

No. 42 — WMO says communities need more sophisticated climate services

Cape Verde/Geneva, 4 March 2008 (WMO) – In order to better adapt to climate variability and change, and prepare against weather hazards, governments, businesses and the public require more sophisticated climate information from their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS), WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said yesterday.
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No. 41 — WMO and Asian Members tackle impacts of climate change on agriculture

Hanoi/Geneva, 19 December 2007 (WMO) – With climate change and drought threatening agriculture in Asia, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) met with regional members in Hanoi, Viet Nam, to promote sustainable farming practices to feed growing populations. The three-day meeting of WMO’s Regional Association Asia Working Group on Agricultural Meteorology ended today. >> full text

No. 40 — WMO Hosts First International Symposium on Public Weather Services

Geneva, 3 December 2007 (WMO) – The first international symposium on public weather services started in Geneva today, bringing world experts together to discuss how to improve meteorological and hydrological services to protect communities from natural disasters and their role in addressing the impacts of climate change. >> full text

No. 39 — Typhoon Prediction, Protection Key Topics at Typhoon Committee Meeting in Macao, China

Macao/Geneva 21 November 2007 (WMO) – How to better predict and mitigate against typhoon disasters will be key topics discussed during a high-level meeting in Macao, China, on 21-26 November. >> full text French Chinese

No. 38 — Space technology put into service for water resources management and disaster prevention

Geneva 14 November 2007 (WMO) – Hydrological information is critical for water management and forecasts for water-related disaster prevention. Water resources are currently not adequately monitored in many parts of the world, especially in the developing countries. To remedy this situation, experts meeting at WMO Headquarters have called for investments in dedicated hydrological satellite missions to improve timeliness and accuracy of space-based hydrological observations for water resources assessments and forecasting services. >> full text

No. 37 — More Needed to Protect Against Central/Eastern European Flash Flooding

Geneva/Krakow 30 October 2007 (WMO) – More must be done to protect against flash flooding in Central and Eastern Europe by improving early warning systems and strengthening local capacity to adequately respond to such extreme events, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said. >>full text

No. 36 — Action-oriented information is vital with respect to climate change

Paris/Geneva, 14 October 2007 (WMO) – “We need to invest more, not less, in climate data collection, modeling and research to be able to respond efficiently to climate change,” says Mr M. Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in comments to mark the 4th International Weather Forum 2007 (Paris, France, 12–14 October 2007). The Forum is devoted to the theme of global climate change and is organized by the French Meteorological Society and co-sponsored by WMO. “Climate information is key for an efficient response to climate change,” Mr Jarraud stresses. >> full text

No. 35 — European conference on the implications of climate change

Climate experts from all over Europe discuss regional consequences and impacts of climate change. The conference will provide decision making support tools to mitigate the societal and economic impact of high impact weather.

Geneva/Madrid/Berlin 1 October 2007: After the publication of the IPCC report in February, that reinforced concerns about the development of the climate, the question of how to mitigate and adapt to climate change has become a central issue for all societies. In October over 500 experts from all over Europe and America are expected to attend the Seventh Annual Meeting of the European Meteorological Society (EMS) in San Lorenzo de El Escorial (1-5 October). The Meeting is being run in parallel with the Eighth European Conference on Applications of Meteorology (ECAM), which is being hosted by the Government of Spain and organized by European Meteorological and Hydrological Services under the leadership of the Spanish Weather Service INM.>> full text

No. 34 — Key station for weather and climate information in the Pacific again operational

Geneva, 25 September 2007 (WMO) - The World Meteorological Organization today announced the re-entry into operation, after nine years, of the Honiara upper air station in the Solomon Islands.  This station provides crucial meteorological information required for aviation and daily weather forecasts, and is a key element of global climate observing. >> full textFrench version

No. 33 — Climate project launched to help farmers in Andean countries

Geneva 4 July 2007 (WMO) – The International Research Center for the El Niño Phenomenon (CIIFEN), established with the assistance of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), has launched a new project which will apply climate data and predictions to help farmers in the Andean countries make better agricultural decisions.  These decisions include planting different crops or varieties or managing reservoir levels in case of drought or extended wet spell.>> full text French version Spanish version

No. 32 — Asia strengthens cooperation in aeronautical meteorology

Geneva/Beijing - 30 March 2007, China has taken the lead within the framework of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to enhance the provision of aviation weather services in Asia, with a special emphasis on the least developed countries. An online Asian Aeronautical Meteorology Service is expected to become operational shortly. >> full text

No. 31 — International experts gather to advance tropical cyclone research and forecasting

San José/Geneva 21 November 2006, Over 130 experts have gathered in San José, Costa Rica to attend the Sixth WMO International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones organized by the World Weather Research Programme of the World Meteorological Organization (21-30 November 2006). >> full text

No. 30 — WMO Launches New Training Era in Satellite Meteorology

Geneva 16 October 2006 – WMO: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) today launches the new High Profile Training Event (HPTE) for satellite meteorology, providing for the first time, a wide range of WMO’s latest face-to-face training techniques in real-time via the Internet for the benefit of participants (some 150) around the world.  >> full text

No. 29 — Slovenia to host drought management centre for South-Eastern Europe within the context of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Geneva 29 September 2006 – WMO: Slovenia has been selected to host the new Drought Management Centre for South-Eastern Europe (DMCSEE). The decision was made on 26 September at a meeting hosted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva with the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). >> full text

No. 28 — International Conference Addresses Social and Economic Security Against Natural Disasters and Water Scarcity

Geneva/Moscow 26 September 2006 – WMO: Some 90% of all natural disasters are of hydrometeorological (water- and weather-related) origin and their frequencies and intensities are likely to increase under the influence of climate change. By 2025, an estimated 1.8 billion people will be living in regions of absolute water scarcity and almost two thirds of the world’s population could be suffering shortages. >> full text

No. 27 — European Meteorological Services Join Hands Ahead of Crucial IPCC Climate Assessment Report

Geneva/Ljubljana 4 September 2006 – WMO: Up to 500 experts from all over Europe are expected to attend the Sixth Annual Meeting of the European Meteorological Society (EMS), hosted by the Government of Slovenia (4-8 September) in Ljubljana. The event runs hand in hand with the Sixth European Conference on Applied Climatology (organized by the European Climate Support Network) with climate change and variability at the top of its agenda.>> full text

No. 26 — Drought Monitoring and Early Warning:WMO Launches New Brochure on Progress and Future Challenges

GENEVA 25 AUGUST 2006 – WMO: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched today its latest publication in the field of weather and climate information for sustainable agricultural development. The brochure: Drought Monitoring and Early Warning: Concepts, Progress and Future Challenges is aimed at encouraging countries to develop or enhance their drought monitoring and early warning capabilities.>> full text

No. 25 — Towards an Operational Satellite Inter-Calibration System

GENEVA, 13 July 2006 (WMO)— The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) have agreed to implement a Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS), which is intended to ensure the comparability of satellite measurements provided through different instruments and satellite programmes and to tie these measurements to absolute references. Accurate calibration of satellite instruments against common references will allow taking the best benefit of space-based observations, in particular for climate change detection and atmospheric modelling. GSICS operations are planned to start in the first half of 2007.>> full text

No. 24 — WMO Workshop Will Seek to Enhance Climate Prediction in Africa (Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, 10-13 July 2006)

GENEVA, 10 July 2006 (WMO) – As part of its assistance to Africa, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is seeking to improve the continent’s capacity in climate prediction. In this context, WMO through its World Climate Programme and the World Climate Research Programme is holding a workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in long-range forecasting, both regional and national, and at fostering collaboration among climate-related research institutes in the region. >> full text

No. 23 — China’s First TV Weather Channel Launched

GENEVA 18 May 2006 – WMO: The Government of China today launched China Weather TV (CWTV), the country’s first TV station devoted exclusively to meteorological forecasts and information. Dr Qin Dahe, Administrator of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), and Permanent Representative to WMO said: “CWTV is aimed at providing relevant and useful meteorological services, responding to the demands of all customers in a timely manner, wherever they might be.” Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mr Michel Jarraud welcomed the launch: “In a country as vast as China, with its varied climates and frequent extreme weather conditions, rapid and reliable information is vital; CWTV is an invaluable addition to CMA’s services.” >> full text

No. 22 — Natural Disasters in South-West Pacific High on the Agenda at Regional Meteorological Meeting

Adelaide/Geneva 10 May 2006 – WMO: The vulnerability of the South-West Pacific region to natural disasters such as drought, tropical cyclones, tsunamis, floods and wildfires is one of the main topics under discussion at an international meteorological meeting in Australia this week. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 14th Session of Regional Association V (RA V) is hosting up to 70 participants from 21 Pacific region Member countries from 9 to 16 May in Adelaide. WMO Secretary-General MrMichelJarraud, and WMO President Dr Alexander Bedritsky, are attending the meeting, chaired by Acting RA V President, Mr Arona Ngari.  >> full text

No. 21 — WMO and Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department to Provide NMHSs with Cost-effective Software Solution

Geneva/Harare 21 April 2006 – WMO: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has signed an Agreement of Cooperation with the Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department (ZMSD) to help other National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) upgrade their software facilities. The Agreement was signed today by WMO Secretary-General Mr Michel Jarraud, and Mr Amos Makarau, Director of ZMSD and Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe with WMO. It aims to ensure implementation of the Climate Database Management System (CLIMSOFT) and its continuity of use in NMHSs. >> full text

No. 20 — WMO Sets Up Project Office in Mexico to Support National Water Commission

Geneva, 20 March 2006 (WMO) - The World Meteorological Organization is establishing a Project Office in Mexico to support the National Water Commission in its aim to achieve integrated, sustainable management of Mexican water resources. The Project Office is part of the Agreement of Cooperation signed between both parties on 2 September 2005. >> full text

No. 19 — First International Flash Floods Workshop Launches

Geneva/San José, Costa Rica, 10 March 2006 (WMO) – The first international workshop to address the threat of flash floods gets underway 13 March in Costa Rica. The event is hosted by Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute and organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Workshop: “Realizing Flash Flood and Disaster Resilience through New Partnerships and Technologies” will bring together around 100 experts from some 80 countries. >> full text

No. 18 — Greenhouse Gases in the Global Atmosphere: First WMO Annual Bulletin Imminent

Geneva, 17 February 2006 (WMO) – In March 2006, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) will publish its first annual bulletin detailing the composition of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. News of the landmark WMO Greenhouse Gas Bulletin has been announced at the 14th Session of the WMO Commission for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS) in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa, 16-24 February 2006.  >> full text

No. 17 — Climate as a Resource” Offers Way Forward for the Achievement of Sustainable Development

Geneva, 23 January 2006 (WMO) – At the opening of the Forum of the European Foundation for the Sustainable Development of the Regions (FEDRE), Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Mr Michel Jarraud, called for the constant exploration of “climate as a major resource” to meet the growing demands of society, within the context of achieving sustainable development. This year’s theme for the Forum is Climate Changes: Energy and Mobility. The event, which is co-sponsored by WMO ends on 26 January in Geneva. >> full text

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