WMO Coordination Mechanism (WCM): Co-designed solutions advancing preparedness and resilience in conflict-affected regions and vulnerable communities
The frequency and intensity of weather, climate and water-related extremes are rising, with devastating impacts on lives and livelihoods. Timely, accurate and actionable information is therefore essential for preparedness and effective crisis response.
The WMO Coordination Mechanism (WCM), a core element of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, supports crisis-prone and conflict-affected regions by providing expert advice and situational awareness to humanitarian and UN partners.
The WCM delivers tailored, co-designed solutions for UN and humanitarian agencies, curating authoritative weather, climate and water information from WMO Members and Centres. It also plays an important role in strengthening capacity—both within National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), WMO Centres and among humanitarian partners.
This event co-organised with Switzerland showcased how the WCM harnesses the collective expertise of the WMO community in partnership with UN and humanitarian agencies to save lives and protect livelihoods. It fosters collaboration between scientific and humanitarian communities, ensuring that early action and response efforts are supported by the most up-to-date and actionable hydrometeorological information.
High-level speakers shared how the co-design process fosters collaboration and how the WCM supports WMO Members and Centres in engaging with UN and humanitarian agencies, inspiring new partnerships for science-based decision-making at the national level. An exhibition of posters, “WMO Members and Centres and Humanitarian Partners: Science for Impact,” were displayed during the WCM high-level event in the WTO CR Lobby. After the event, the posters were relocated to the WMO Building (outside Salle Obasi) and remain on display for the duration of the Extraordinary Congress. The exhibition highlights collaboration opportunities, contributions from WMO Members and Centres, and capacity-building efforts, alongside testimonies from humanitarian partners demonstrating positive impacts in vulnerable communities.
WCM Concept Note
Agenda
12:35 – 12:40 CEST
Welcome Remarks
- Prof Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
12:40 – 12:55 CEST
Keynotes
- Andrew Harper, Special Advisor on Climate Action, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director-General, India Meteorological Department, Permanent Representative of India with WMO, and Third Vice-President of the WMO
- Dr Ousmane Ndiaye, Director General, African Center of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD)
- Prof. Dr Sarah Jones, President, Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Permanent Representative of Germany with WMO
12:55 – 13:00 CEST
Closing Remarks
- Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Federal Councilor, Switzerland