HMEI Report on the  60th Session of the WMO Executive Council (EC-LX)
Geneva, Switzerland, 18-27 June 2008

This report, by B. Sumner and C. Charstone, focuses on items the HMEI Secretariat believes to be of particular interest for HMEI Members and is not intended to be definitive.
All EC-LX documents are available from: ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/SESSIONS/EC/EC-LX/English/DOCs/pdf/. Documents deemed to be of particular interest for HMEI Members have direct links to the individual document included, in the report below.

Attendees From HMEI
Bruce Sumner - HMEI Executive Secretary
Christine Charstone, HMEI Administrator
Bryce Ford, HMEI Councillor, also attended as an advisor to the EC Member from the USA.

Opening of the WMO 60th Executive Council
The WMO President, Dr Bedritsky, opened the session at 10am on 18th June. He outlined the current "result-based" strategic plan, decided on at last year's WMO Congress, which has resulted in a restructure of the WMO Secretariat to meet the requirements of this plan. He emphasising the importance of the WMO role in Climate Studies, Climate Change issues and the emphasised the strong need for WMO interactions with Regional areas for good Disaster Management. The essential role of private industry was noted and the need for good interaction between private industry and WMO will a major discussion agenda item.

A brief statement was made by the WMO Secretary General (SG), Mr Jarraud. He noted that the EC this year was streamlined and thus of s shorter period than previous sessions.

Report of the President of WMO - Doc. 2.1 See document here
Points from this report:

• The President, Dr Bedritsky, welcomed the four new EC Members, just elected. Dr Bedritsky noted that the WMO Bureau met in Louisiana, USA, in January 2008. Resulting from this meeting were:
  -The new Strategic Plan currently being implemented;
  -The WMO Bureau sending a letter to the G8 countries urging them to strengthen their support for climate observations in the developing countries. particularly in Africa.
  -The recommendation that EC-LX discuss the question of the future of the (International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the possibility of awarding an attractive (possibly sponsored) prize in recognition of its outstanding contribution to climate science.
   
• This report outline various meetings of the Subsidiary bodies of the EC (items 9-14 of the report), as well as a summary of the WMO activates since the last session of EC.
   
• The first meeting of the International Organizing Committee of the 3rd, World Climate Conference, February 2008 in Geneva, saw 20 UN agencies and other
  organizations participating in the next World Climate Conference (WCC-3) . It was noted that WCC-3, to be held 31 August to 4 September 2009, should be considered as an important event as were the First and Second World Climate Conferences. The WCC-3 will be looking at the science and governmental support needed over the next 10 years to provide the seasonal predictions that can save people’s lives and livelihoods and support economic activities in various sectors.
   
• WMO has and will continue to improve its role in aiding developing countries, particularly Africa, by strengthening their climate observation, research, prediction and
  early warning systems.
   
• Enhanced liaison has been developed between WMO and The International Standards Organization (ISO). There is now a process of finalization of approval of the Working Arrangements between ISO and WMO underway^.

Report of the WMO Secretary General - Doc. 2.2 See document here.
Points from this report:

• The SG clarified the objectives of the Strategic Plan. The WMO Strategic Plan defines three top-level objectives:
  (1) To produce more accurate, timely and reliable forecasts and warnings of weather, climate, water and related environmental elements;
  (2) To improve the delivery of weather, climate, water and related environmental information and services to the public, governments and other users; and
  (3) To provide scientific and technical expertise and advice in support of policy and decision-making and implementation of the agreed international development goals
  and multilateral agreements.
   
• The Strategic Plan point (3) is divided into three sub points: (i) partnership; (ii) capacity building; and (iii) efficient management
  and good governance.
   
• The restructuring in the Secretariat [Strategic Plan point (3)(iii)] was outlined. It was noted that this restructuring was only within the Secretariat and did not affect the WMO Programmes. The Secretariat structure has thus changed from matrix management to strategic resource based management, with the goal of producing a more flexible management structure. The number of departments has been reduced to make them more responsive.
   
• A new approach and working methods for constituent bodies, in view of the WMO Strategic Plan was also previewed, with the organization of constituent body sessions to be oriented towards greater efficiencies and cost effectiveness, to discuss challenges and priority development requirements and action plans for implementation.
   
• The report outlined the aim of enhanced partnership with other International Organizations [Strategic Plan point (3)(i)]. This includes naturally the UN agencies, but also with other agencies such as the Red Cross. This is particularly targeted to enhance work in regard to Disaster Management, Climate Change and the Food Crisis. 

REPORTS BY THE PRESIDENTS OF REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS - Doc. 2.4 See document here.
Some points from these summary reports regarding initiation of and ongoing projects:

Regional Association 1 (Africa) (RA-I)
One priority for the region is the improvement of participation of NMHSs in Climate Matters in particular IPCC, UNFCCC and UNCCD as well as participation in the proposed regional programmes such as AMESD and CLIMDev projects.

Following the results of the Las Palmas action plan (led by the Spanish cooperation), support is being provided within the framework of the initiative to enhance of marine meteorology in the West Africa Region, with emphasis on the social benefits for mariners and users in the coastal zone.

Following WMO recommendations that world-wide implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) for aeronautical meteorological services. It has been decided to do a demonstration project on QMS in one of the Least Developed Countries (LCD), Tanzania, later this year, with the hope that the entire East African Region will benefit from it.

The Hydrology and Water Resources Programme, in cooperation with the River and Lake Basins organization and other international financial and technical partners has been implementing HYCOS projects in the Region. More than 11 million Euros has been secured for the implementation of three HYCOS components (Niger, Volta and SADC II) involving 25 countries, 14 of whom are LDCs.

An African THORPEX Regional Committee has been formed. The efforts include capacity building, infrastructure development, societal and economic application and research demonstration projects and predictability research to improve warnings, advisories and outlooks.

Regional Association 2 (Asia) (RA-II)
The 14th session of Regional Association II (XIV-RA II) is planned to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 5 to 11 December 2008.

There was noted a need for the maintenance and further development of existing observing systems and telecommunication systems and data processing facilities in the Region.

Two pilot projects of RA II will be further implemented to assist NMHSs in developing countries, in particular LDCs, in enhancing their capacities as part of the WMO Programme for the LDCs.

With the objective of establishing a regional flood information system in the Mekong basin, the MEKONG-HYCOS project – funded by France – is progressing well and the first batch of instruments will be installed before mid-July 2008 in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Thailand. Other important HYCOS projects in the region, including ARAL-Sea HYCOS and Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) HYCOS are still awaiting adequate donor support.

Regional Association 3 (South America) (RA-III)
RA-3 is looking to upgrade, Telecommunications, Upper-air networks, with a continuing need also for training and capacity building. This report stressed the importance that is being placed on promoting co-operation between RA-3 members, Disaster Management (including acquiring technologies for disaster warning) and Climate Change preparedness in the region.

The importance of ozone and UV GAW activities was recognized in RA III, as data from stations in South America and Antarctica constitute important contributions to the WMO  and general surveillance of the development of the Antarctic ozone hole from one year to the next. RA III members should continue to enhance their measurements and to apply the IGACO-Ozone/UV Implementation Plan.

It is proposed to implement a regional Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project, in southern South America (RA III).

to promote and support the adoption of the Integrated Flood Management (IFM) by its members, WMO has developed a series of training activities aimed at the professionals directly involved at national level with flood management responsibilities, adapted to the specific local conditions prevailing in the country where the course is being held. The first was held in Cochabamba, Bolivia, in March 2008. It is planned to hold a training of trainers on IFM in October 2008 in Lima, Peru.

Regional Association 4 (North America) (RA-IV)
The EC requested that WMO support and improve opportunities for regional training in the region for the RA IV Members.

EC requested the WMO to look at the possible creation of a Regional Center for Tsunamis in the Caribbean and adjacent regions. As Haiti is the only LDC in RA-IV, the EC requested that it be given a high priority in the implementation of scientific and technical programmes, especially in infrastructure and human resources development.

A major priority of the region is maintenance and further development of the existing basic observing networks, meteorological telecommunications and data-processing facilities. A radar network is being developed through the Caribbean. Two radars have been installed and two more will be installed by early 2009.

Several projects related to Disaster Risk Reduction were initiated in 2007 with the various regional economic and technical organizations. The First Planning Meeting for Central American Project on Multi-Hazard Early Warning System was held in New Orleans, United States of America, on 18 January 2008, organized by WMO and with the participation of different regional and funding agencies. This is the first step to develop an end-to-end early warning system for Central America.

A project for the implementation of a Central American Regional Climate Center activity started in 2007 with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU).

Regional Association 5 (Pacific) (RA-V)
There are ongoing Strategic Plans for the Enhancement of both the National Meteorological Services (NMSs) and National Hydrological Services (NHSs) in the Region. The need for funding for regional training and funding for training was emphasised.

Some island states, particularly, in the region will need WMO support for capacity building and improvement of their technologies and training. WMO and its members were urged to help support the work of the Fiji RSMC, both with staff and financial contributions.

It was reported that Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) Jakarta was commissioned in January 2008.

The twelfth session of the Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean will be held in Niue, 11-17 July 2008. The session is expected to discuss the development of a regional subproject in RA V as a regional contribution to the Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project focusing on tropical cyclones.

The WMO Coordination and Capacity Building Workshop for LDCs/SIDS (Small Island Developing States) in Asia-Pacific is planned for Port Vila, Vanuatu, 6-10 October 2008.

The ADMAR Panel has identified a need for the development of a regional programme in the Western Pacific, where such data could usefully complement the sparse Radiosonde network.

The Hydrology and Water Resources Programme, in cooperation with the South Pacific Applied Geosciences Commission (SOPAC) and other International financial and technical partners has been implementing the Pacific-HYCOS (Hydrological Cycle Observing System) project in the Region.

Regional Association 6 (Europe) (RA-VI)
Priorities for the region includes: synergy resulting from partnerships and interactions with other sectors and disciplines; the need to for the regional NMHSs to work more closely together in order to bridge gaps and achieve a better equilibrium; optimization of the use of the available resources, including the services of WMO and regional organizations like EUMETSAT, ECMWF and EUMETNET; collaboration with development partners like the European Commission and the World Bank in the realization of the regional strategies.

There are various projects underway in this RA-VI, including the World Bank supported UN International Disaster Risk Management Initiative and the WMO supported development of the WHYCOS (The World Hydrological Cycle Observing System) component for the Sava River Basin, Development and Upgrading of Hydrometeorological Information and Flood Warning/Forecasting System in the Sava River Basin.

REPORT ON THE 2008 MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTS OF TECHNICAL COMMISSIONS AND REPORTS BY PRESIDENTS OF TECHNICAL COMMISSIONS Doc. 2.5 See this document here.
Points from this report:

• Cross cutting issues were a concern expressed in this report; what this really means for the Commissions and how this can be achieved. The Commissions requested guidelines from WMO as to how Commissions should implement cross cutting.
   
• Concern was expressed on the cost for both Commissions and Members of holding Technical Commissions sessions.
   
• In the light of the current WMO Strategic and Operation Plans, the Commissions asked for considerable clarification from EC as to how the Technical Commissions now work within this Strategic Plan.

Summary President's Report of the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS)
Some points from this summary:

• CBS-XIV 25 March to 2 April 2009, to be hosted by Croatia in Dubrovnik. Theme of this CBS will be the WMO Information System (WIS) and WMO Integrated Observing System (WIGOS).
   
• The work of the WIGOS, since last EC, was outlined.
   
• The requirement for a robust AWS particularly suitable for remote location noted.
   
• The work of the Information of Systems since last EC was outlined.
   
• Metadata was noted as crucial for interoperability of systems.
   
• The move to table driven codes for new observing instruments was noted.
   
• Interoperability of meteorological systems was strongly noted as an important issue.
   
• The importance of the work on protection Radio Frequency was noted.
   
• New Regional Climate Centers (RCCs) establishing in coordination with the Commission for Climatology.
   
• The work towards establishing WIS.
   
• The work since the last EC of the Public Weather Service included the WMO Forum and the training program "Learning through doing".

Comments of interest from the floor:
Suggestion for a stronger link between CBS and the LDCs, so that their communications and infrastructure can be improved in a manner to encourage close cooperation with World Weather Watch (WWW).

Summary President's Report of the Commission for Hydrology (CHy)
Some points from this summary:

• Standardization and integration of systems to achieve the Commission aims were seen as key issues.
   
• In Capacity Building  - WHYCOS programmes including training were established in several regions with help from donor countries.
   
• Regional input to CHy policy making has been initiated to inform CHy projects.
   
• Improved precipitation measurement is seen as vital to flood forecasting.
   
• Strong referencing between of Hydrological and Meteorological forecasts seen as vital in the future.
   
• Hydrological Intercomparison projects will be done in conjunction with CIMO.
   
• Climate Change will be a major focus of the work that CHy now undertakes.

• Adaptation to Climate Change now recognised as a crucial issue.
   
• It is currently seen there is insufficient monitoring and a lack of information for adaptation.
   
• More Regional Climate Centers will be established.
   
• There is a need for capacity building in NMHSs to cope with the new climate focus.
   
• World Climate Conference - 3 (WCC-3) - The objectives, planning and organization of the conference were outlined for the EC Members. Dates and location of the conference were given. HMEI Members have already been informed about this conference in the last HMEI Newsletter.
   
• Remarks about WCC-3 included suggestions that there should be a clear and highly relevant outcomes from this conference immediately stated; and that there should be a means for these outcomes to be transmitted to the quickly following United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen 2009 (COP 15), which will be held October/November 2009; and that funding is not sufficient yet for the WCC-3 with and that the WCC-3 needs high profile support to attract high level funding support.

Enhanced Climate, Weather, Water and Environmental Prediction Framework Doc.3.2 (3) See the document here
This item suggests a Coordinated Group of Experts Focused on Prediction Research. There was a request from JCOMM President that Ocean Prediction be included. The suggestion was made that initially this be a research only group.

ENHANCED CAPABILITIES OF MEMBERS TO PROVIDE BETTER HYDROLOGICAL FORECASTS AND ASSESSMENTS Doc. 3.3 See the document here
Report from Commission for Hydrology
Some points from this item:

• HMEI's involvement in flow measurement issues was noted.
   
• The Joint International Convention of the 8th IAHS Scientific Assembly / 37th IAH Congress was announced. It will be held 6-12 September 2009, in Hyderabad, India. There will be an exhibition with this event.

INTEGRATION OF WMO OBSERVING SYSTEMS Doc 3.4 See the document here
WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS)
Some points from this presentation:

• Primary aim  of WIGOS is to enhance integration of WMO Observing Systems carried out by WMO members.
   
• Proposed actions are to continue the work of and link the following systems:
  - African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (AMMA) legacy;
  - enhance AMDAR legacy;
  - support GRUAN;
  - include the Global Cryosphere watch;
  - ensure dedicated Ocean Observations;
  - evaluation and enhancement of Regional Instrument Centers (RICs) and Regional Radiation Centers (RRCs).
   
• EC requested CIMO to initiate actions for holding the WMO High Quality Radiosonde Regional Intercomparison in Region II, China, 3rd quarter of 2009.
   
• Proposed implementation plan:
  - WIGOS demonstration projects;
  - WIGOS pilot projects (CIMO. JCOMM, GAW, AMDAR and Global Hydrological Network).
  - WIGOS and WMO Technical Regulations;
  - WIGOS and WMO Technical Commissions;
  - Integration levels within WIGOS.

The WIGOS Concept of Operations (CONOPS), included as an appendix to Doc3.4, is a very important document for HMEI members. It is available from the link above to doc.3.4. It will also be  made available as a pdf document on the HMEI website under the Technical Information link.

Self reliance of Developing Countries
In item 44 of the section of this document entitled "Integration of WMO Observing Systems, Progress/Activity Report",  it is noted that during the WMO/GCOS Training Workshop on GUAN Upper-Air Observations in Namibia in 2007, an evaluation test of the new InterMet Africa Upper-air sounding system was performed. Its BAT-16GP Radiosonde, which does not use a GPS engine on the Radiosonde but transmits the unprocessed GPS signal to the ground station where its processed (and is thus purportedly cheaper). This system is now in operation use at Windhoek, Namibia.

The above mentioned "Integration of WMO Observing Systems, Progress/Activity Report" contains useful information for HMEI Members on CIMO activities, particularly in regard to its extended role in the new WIGOS concept.

Some comments from the floor:
Africa - Upper-air Network needs support from donor countries, as Radiosonde are becoming increasingly more costly and yet national budgets for upper-air networks are decreasing. It was suggested that a RDF and GDS Radiosonde Intercomparison be held in Egypt in 2009. Egypt is also prepared to have training in standard meteorological instrumentation.

The CIMO President
- The report on the performance of the African Radiosonde is being finalized and will be released by the end of July.
-T here is a resources issue arising, as China has requested an Intercomparison in 2009, and now Egypt has also requested an Intercomparison in 2009. CIMO would try to accommodate both requests.
- There is a new Upper-air Training Workshop planned for RA-II (Asia), probably in India, in February 2009 (however the location is yet to be confirmed).

The Representative from Malaysia - Requested that CIMO work on developing interoperability of Radiosonde systems be continued, as a means of reducing costs of Radiosonde systems in developing countries.

The President of CBS
- Integration of the observing systems will take some considerable time.
- There is a WIGOS Technical Conference on 23-24 March 2009, it is a good opportunity for discussions on the WIGOS initiative. It is to be expected that there will be high calibre participants who will further contribute to the process of implementing WIGOS.

China - China confirmed their wish for a high quality Radiosonde Intercomparison in their country in 2009. They stated their intention to give all possible support to achieve this.

The Chairman of the AMDAR panel - Spoke about an issue with acquiring, a new water vapour sensor for aircraft, which the manufacturer  (SpectraSensors in Los Angeles) has had to redesign because of problems with quality of the data. The manufacture has had to redesign the sensor (now due to be delivered at the end of this year).

AMMA (African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses) - They are installing some upper-air stations in Africa. However as new funding is thus required for other upgrading, for instance for communications, so that data continues to be received from the stations.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM (WIS) Doc. 3.5 See document here
The presentation on the WIS gave details of how it will improve the collection and dissemination of data and products, such as forecasts and warnings. WIS will also improve the data exchange between WMO and external organizations.

Comments from the floor:
President of WMO - The report sates that Climat Temp messages will be deleted. However Dr Bedritsky suggested that deletion of these messages may not be useful as there could be other users besides GCOS and that the request to conserve these messages be included in the EC recommendations. Several other comments from the floor also supported that these messages continue.

ENHANCED CAPABILITIES OF NMHSs IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, TO FULFIL THEIR MANDATES - HUMAN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING EDUCATION AND TRAINING Doc.6.1
This document looked at Capacity Building in WMO particularly with regard to Regional Training Centers (RTCs).
Some points from this report:

• In the new restructuring of the WMO Secretariat the Education and Training Program is now joined with the Regional Cooperation program.
• There were revisions approved to the EC Criteria for the Recognition of WMO RTCs.
• The status of the WMO Regional Training Centres assessed in 2006–2007 was reconfirmed. These reconfirmed RTCs are: Angola; Brazil; the Islamic Republic of Iran; and Israel.
• With regard to the WMO Fellowships Program, WMO is intending to increase opportunities for fellowships and is looking for partnerships to offset costs for the Fellowships Program.

Comments from the floor:
The importance of remote training by use of the Internet, DVDs, etc, was mentioned by several delegates.
Egypt offered its national training center as a candidate for a new RTC.
China offered 13 fellowships for training for LDCs.

ENHANCED CAPABILITIES OF NMHSS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO FULFIL THEIR MANDATE - INFRASTRUCTURE AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TECHNICAL COOPERATION Doc. 6.2 See document here
The VCP(F) is the trust fund for the Voluntary Cooperation Program (VCP). Allocations from this trust fund of 1.5 million CHF (approx.) is allocated for 2008.

Development needs analysis has been undertaken or is ongoing for regional groupings in South Eastern, Europe, the SADC (South African development community) Region, Latin America, West and North Africa and the Pacific to develop investment proposals. Projects are already underway or in preparation with financing partners in support of these proposals, including Spain, Finland, Italy, European Commission, USA and the World Bank.

There will continuing efforts to mobilize resources through such strategic partnerships and alliances, in particular with Aid Agencies of developed Member countries, funding institutions such as the World Bank, Regional Development Banks, and to place strong emphasis on increased integration with the UN system through the UN “Delivering as One” process and further explore opportunities in the Private Sector.

The need for NMHSs to have support to enhance their capacities was noted particularly, in order to:
(a) Educate NMHS managers in the tools of social-marketing and effective communication with government officials, politicians and decision-makers and development partners;
(b) Focus needs to address institutional areas including: Service Delivery; Technical Training (WIS and Internet); Professional Training and Development (WMO-No. 258 and NWP); Management Training (QMS and ISO 9000 according to the ISO 9000 family of standards (especially aviation)); Project development and Management and Team Building.

An International Conference on Technical Cooperation 2010 was requested by Congress last year. The EC noted that, in the interim, TECO-2008 and METEOREX-2008 to be held November 2008 in St Petersburg, is an opportunity to enhance relations between NMHS and equipment suppliers.

The importance of WCC-3 was again noted. The EC noted that WMO will need to help prepare NMHSs for participation in the Conference. WCC-3 will be a significant opportunity to highlight the WMO roles both in delivery of climate services and the capacity development, for example the role of the RTCs. The EC asked that WMO ensure that technical cooperation activities in 2008-9 support these preparations.

Programme Development Activities:
Some points of interest:

• Regional and sub-regional development projects such as the Spanish Programme of Development for the Ibero-American Countries and the West and North African Countries; the support of Finland to SADC Region and the Pacific Islands Region, and emerging collaboration with the European Commission DG-Enlargement for Programme of Development in South Eastern Europe and collaboration with the World Bank in South Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Regional Development agenda.
   
• The above projects are “seeding” major development programmes in these regions, however complimentary funding will be needed from additional sources.
   
• There is a development programme for the NMHSs in the South Eastern European region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Republic of Moldova and Serbia). The Directorate General Enlargement of the European Commission has indicated interest in funding initial activities for regional cooperation and data and information sharing and is considering the full proposal. Activities should start by the end of 2008.
   
• The desirability of Regional Centres for Drought Management, Climate, Marine Meteorology and others thematic areas, was noted and WMO will move as funding allows towards supporting such initiatives.

ENHANCED CAPABILITIES OF NMHSs IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, TO FULFIL THEIR MANDATES – REGIONAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK, INCLUDING REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLANS AND WMO COUNTRY PROFILE DATABASE Doc.6.3
Most regions have started their Regional Strategic Plans - which are aimed at providing a long term framework for regional capacity development, in concurrence with the WMO Strategic Plan.

The WMO Secretary- General was authorized to take immediate action to make operational a WMO Country Profile Database, which will consolidate information collected by individual WMO Programs and Departments , enabling more integrated use of the information. This database will provide the needs and status of WMO member projects. Phase one (a pilot project in one region) is due for completion end of 2009.

ENHANCED CAPABILITIES OF NMHSs IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, TO FULFIL THEIR MANDATES - CONTRIBUTION TO THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGS) AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LDCS (LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES) AND SIDS (SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES) Doc 6.4 See document here
Some points from this document:

• The continuing assistance for LDCs, of whom there are 49 (of which 33 in Africa), was strongly encouraged.
• Ten (10) projects are underway for the 10 LDCs currently, supported by WMO funding..
• There will be a LDC workshop held in October 2008 in Vanuatu, to assist LDCs in Region II (Asia) and Region V (South West Pacific).
• The government of Finland is considering providing financial support to a SIDS Pacific Project to improve the capabilities of Pacific Islands in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and making progress towards achieving the MDGs.
• There was a new project launched September 2007 with the goal of contributing to the reduction of climate-related disaster risks in the Greater Horn of Africa region through the
  development/application of climate products and services. The project is funded by USAID/OFDA and is based at the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC),
  Nairobi, Kenya to support capacity building activities in seasonal forecasting for NMHSs of the 10 greater Horn of Africa (GHA) countries, 9 of which are LDCs.
• A second WMO Coordination and Capacity Building Workshop for LDCs in Africa (the first was in African in 2007) will be organized in October 2008 for the LDCs and SIDS in the Asia-Pacific region.

ENHANCED CAPABILITIES OF MEMBERS TO PROVIDE AND USE WEATHER AND CLIMATE, WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATIONS AND SERVICES Docs. 4.2 See Doc 4.2 here
Some points from the report:

• A National Agrometeorological Station Network (NASNET) will be established, thus bringing all the stations being operated by the different entities under one common umbrella.
• The work of JCOMM is evolving and expanding. However, due to reduced staff support from UNESCO/IOC and reduced budget supports, the future role and structure of JCOMM is to be reviewed. This subject will be discussed at the UNESCO/IOC Executive Council being held in Paris, June 2008.

Doc. 4.2 add1 (see here) has the Reports on JCOMM's future and the Aeronautical Meteorology Program activates. This document also notes there are amendments to the WMO Technical Regulations on Meteorological Services for Air Navigation, these are amendments concerned with Quality Management (QM). These amendments are detailed in Doc. 4.2 add 2 (see here).

New Zealand offered to host the XI^th WMO Education and Training Symposium to be held early 2010 in RA II. The suggested theme for the Symposium is "New Approaches to the Education and Training for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasters".

Update of WMO Weather Modification Statement and Guidelines- CAS (Commission for Atmospheric Sciences) Doc. 4.2(2) See this document here
This document reported on the CAS review of WMO weather modification statements and guidelines. The chair of the new CAS Expert Team on Weather Modification

FUTURE CHALLENGES: POTENTIAL ROLE OF WMO IN RELATION TO SPACE WEATHER Doc. 9.2 See document here
Space weather is seen as having not only a strong effect on communications, weather satellites and public health, but also as having potential impact on the Earth's climate. Therefore this document proposes WMO playing a greater role in Space Weather. To this end this document suggests WMO work to this aim in the following ways:

• Space weather items in WIGOS;
• Space weather data exchange through WIS;
• Issuing Space Weather warnings within a multi-hazard approach;
• Looking at the effect of Solar Weather on the Earth's climate;
• WMO to initiate Space Weather coordination activates.

Some comments from the floor:
Some WMO representatives questioned the usefulness of WMO involvement in this area.
The issue of limited resources within WMO was noted and comments made that external funding would be essential.
The USA representative offered USA contribution towards the costs of WMO involvement in Space Weather initiatives.
The President for the Commission for Aviation noted that his Commission could contribute, particularly in creating liaison with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
It was noted that although Space Weather is still mainly in the area of research the future, this could in the near future be seen as a timely initiative for an essential area.

COOPERATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR Doc 9.3 See document here
The document was brought to the attention of EC for discussion on the following main topics:
(a) Private sector service providers and users;
(b) Instrument and system development private sector;
(c) Observing networks of the private sector;
(d) Private sector sponsor- and partnerships;
(e) Private insurance and financial sector;
(f) The Madrid Action Plan.

Item 9.3.4
In this item the work of the Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI) with WMO, in particular CIMO, is noted.

Appendix Item 3.1
In this item there is a statement of interest:
"WMO Instrument Intercomparisons and tests may be seen as a “certification” of the successfully tested products suitable for WIGOS."

Discussion from the floor:
Much of the discussion was looking at the private sector involvement with weather forecasting, services providers and other roles that rival or complement those of the NMHSs, and  the issues of how to create a liaison with these commercial sectors.
It was noted that WMO needs to continue its work with HMEI in respect to standards for instruments, in order to create clarity for users (i.e. NMHSs) in instrument and equipment selection.

HMEI gave the following statement to the EC:
"The Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry, known by its acronym of HMEI, is the global association of the instrument and equipment manufacturers. This component of the private sector is an important partner with WMO. Without instruments and systems there would be no observing programs and networks, HMEI takes its consultative status with WMO very seriously, and as a global association of almost 100 equipment manufactures, we work closely and continually with WMO. We are involved with standards for instrumentation, and currently are working on a Lidar standard with ISO. We help with improving instrumentation through the WMO instrument Intercomparisons. There is currently one such Intercomparison underway in Italy, with more than 12, mainly HMEI, manufacturers participating in the Intercomparison. We also assist WMO with training workshops, and are active in WMO technical conferences and relevant exhibitions. Our expertise at the moment primarily assists the WMO Secretariat and the Expert Teams of the Technical Commissions. However we also are a resource for the NMHSs and HMSs, in being able to assist them in their collaborations with the instrument and systems development sectors.

Our successes and way of working with WMO over the past 6 years could serve as a model for implementing other cooperative ventures between WMO and other sections of the private sectors, such as the commercial service providers."

WMO AWARDS Doc. 10.1(1) and 10.1(2)
Fifty-third International Meteorological Organization (IMO) Prize
The IMO Prize was awarded to Dr Qin Dahe (China).

Professor Dr Vilho Väisälä Awards
The the twenty-first Professor Dr Vilho Väisälä Award for an Outstanding Research Paper on Instruments and Methods of Observation, was received by Messrs O. Bousquet, P. Tabary and J.P. du Châtelet (all from France) for the research paper entitled “On the value of operationally synthesized multiple-Doppler wind fields”.

The second Professor Dr Vilho Väisälä Award for the Development and Implementation of the Instruments and Methods of Observation was received by Messrs L. Lanza (Italy), M. Leroy (France), C. Alexandropoulos (France), L. Stagi (Italy) and W. Wauben (Netherlands) for the paper entitled "WMO Laboratory Intercomparison of Rainfall Intensity Gauges"

Norbert Gerbier-MUMM International Award
The 2009 award went to Drs K. Krishna Kumar, Balaji Rajagopalan, Martin Hoerling, Gary Bates and Mark Cane (from India) for their paper entitled “Unraveling the Mystery of Indian Monsoon Failure during El Niño”

WMO Research Awards for Young Scientists
For 2008 this went to Dr Sun Ying (Mrs) (China) for the paper entitled “How often does it rain?”; and Ms Mary-Jane Kgatuke (South Africa) for the paper “The internal variability of the RegCM3 over South Africa”.

DESIGNATION OF ACTING MEMBER(S) OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Doc. 10.3
There were Executive Council vacancies due to be filled as four members had left their posts in the National Meteorological Agencies. The vacancies were decided en camera on the first day of the session.

The Executive Council elected:
Dr A.C. Anuforom (Nigeria), Mr P. Taalas (Finland), Mr Soon Kab Chung (Republic of Korea) and Mr J. Hirst (UK) as acting members of the Executive Council.

SCIENTIFIC LECTURES AND DISCUSSIONS Doc.11
There were two lecturers on tow topics given to EC. The topics were:
(a) Hydrometeorological Security: realities and challenges for NMHSs by Dr A.D. Moura, (Permanent Representative of Brazil with WMO, and third
Vice-President of WMO);
and
(b) Climate change and fresh water resources by Dr F. Chung, (Principal Engineer, California Department of Water
Resources, USA).
Dr Chung's presentation included outlining the adaption strategies being undertaken in California, particularly those strategies and the, two yearly updated, modelling being undertaken by the Department of Water in that state. He noted that WMO can play a vital role in sharing experiences worldwide. Dr Chung called for a worldwide move from scientific knowledge to public policy implementation.

CLOSURE OF MEETING
The WMO EC-LX closed 5pm Friday 27 June 2008.

NOTE: For elucidation of any WMO acronyms, for which no expansion has been given, please go to: http://www.wmo.int/pages/themes/acronyms_en.html 

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