The World Meteorological Congress, the supreme body of World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is currently holding its 19th session from 22 May to 2 June 2023. It assembles all 193 Member States and Territories of the WMO.
Congress will approve the Strategic Plan 2024-2027 to promote WMO’s vision that “by 2030, we see a world where all nations, especially the most vulnerable, are more resilient to the socioeconomic consequences of extreme weather, climate, water and other environmental events.” Congress will consider the WMO budget and approve maximum expenditure for 2024-2027 period.
One of WMO’s top strategic priorities – implementation of the UN Early Warnings for All Initiative – was the focus of the high-level dialogue on the opening day. The theme was Accelerating and Scaling up Action at the Country Level. (Watch the WEB CAST)
Services Day on 23 May considered services for societal needs, including the WMO Strategy for Service Delivery and a set of regulations for disaster alerts, aviation, maritime, floods, droughts, health and other services.
Infrastructure Day on 24 May focused on Earth system observations and predictions, including the evolution of global observing systems, the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) composition, climate observations and data management, WMO Integrated Processing and Predictions.
Science Day on 25 May looked at targeted research, including new implementation plans of the World Weather Research Programme and Global Atmosphere Watch Programme, as well as emerging scientific drivers and opportunities.
Capacity Day on 26 May considered the WMO Capacity Development Strategy, education and training and other capacity development activities.
A parallel session of the Hydrological Assembly, beginning on 26 May, set the scene for Water and Cryosphere Day, looked into updates to the WMO Vision and Strategy for Hydrology and its related Plan of Action and sustainable global water resource management.
On Gender Day, Congress apprised the progress and updated the WMO Gender Policy and Action Plan.
Congress also considered general, legal, oversight, financial and administrative matters and considered amendments to the General, Technical, Financial and Staff Regulations.
On June 1, Congress will elect the President and Vice-Presidents of the Organization and members of the Executive Council, and will appoint the Secretary-General.
The World Meteorological Congress is WMO’s top decision-making body. Its decisions are implemented by all WMO constituent bodies and the Secretariat; the Executive Council oversees the implementation of Congress decisions.
WMO Permanent Representatives, usually the heads of National and Meteorological Services, act as the focal points for the delegation. Online pre-registration through the WMO Online Registration System is required.
