Technical Assistance to the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) - Building Regional Resilience through Strengthened Meteorological, Hydrological and Climate Services in the Indian Ocean Commission Member Countries
The IOC Hydromet project is a regional initiative for Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Member States aimed at strengthening meteorological, hydrological, and climate services to enhance resilience to climate variability and change. The region faces high exposure to hydrological, meteorological, and climatic hazards, including tropical cyclones, floods, storm surges, and extreme weather events, which are intensifying due to climate change, with tropical cyclones being the most frequent catastrophic hazards in the region and having been responsible for significant human and economic losses. Climate change is exacerbating these risks through:Rising sea levelsIncreasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather eventsChanging rainfall patternsAt the same time, countries face capacity constraints in observation systems, forecasting, data management, and institutional coordination, limiting their ability to anticipate and respond to these hazards effectively. The project therefore focuses on strengthening hydrological, meteorological and climatological services, early warning systems, and climate information services, enabling governments and communities to make informed decisions and adapt to climate risks.The project is financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by the IOC. The project has been under implementation since 2023, with WMO providing ongoing technical expertise to support its execution. In order to support the implementation of activities under Component 1, WMO signed an agreement with IOC on 22 August 2025, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) signed in September 2014 with the aim of collaborating on the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). While this agreement focuses on Component 1 of the project, WMO continues to provide advice on Components 2 and 3, including technical specifications and recommendations. The project is also closely aligned and implemented in synergy with other initiatives in the region such as CREWS SWIO, ClimSA, EW4All, Early Warning System for Flood (EWS-F) and World Bank programmes, ensuring coherence and maximizing impact.