|Recognizing the crucial importance of radio-frequency spectrum and radio-based remote sensing systems and applications for meteorological and environmental observations for climate monitoring, disaster risk reduction, adaptation and mitigation of negative effects of climate change, WMO and ITU organized this seminar as an open forum for exchange of views and information between representatives of meteorological and radiocommunication communities.
The seminar shared information on WMO´s Integrated Global Observing System and ITU´s role in using Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), in general, and radio technologies in particular, as the main means and tools for environmental observations and climate monitoring on the global scale. Discussions focused on the use of radio spectrum, space orbits and radio-based meteorological tools and systems for monitoring, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
The open forum centred on the following key areas:
1. The role of information communication technologies (ICTs), particularly radio-based technologies for monitoring Earth weather, climate and water.
2. The effective operation of systems and applications for monitoring the natural environment, prediction, detection and warning of dangerous weather events and natural disasters agravated by climate change, and mitigation of their negative effects.
3. Current status and development of radio-based Earth observation and meteorological systems and applications for weather, water and climate monitoring, prediction and warning.
4. Operation of space-based and surface-based meteorological systems relying on radio technology and the quality of meteorological measurements.
5. Activities of national and international organizations in climate monitoring and disaster prediction, detection and mitigation of the effects of natural disasters and dangerous weather events.
6. The use of different radiocommunication services for dissemination of meteorological and environmental information to all people on the Earth, with a special attention to warnings and alerts.
The participants of the first ITU/WMO seminar noted:
- the importance, timeliness and benefits of this Seminar;
- the high scientific and technical level of presentations;
- the effective long time cooperation between WMO and ITU in development and use of the global weather and climate monitoring and prediction systems that will help in preparation of international programmes and National adaptation/mitigation Plans.
The participants also expressed the view that:
The financial assistance provided by ITU and WMO to participants from developing countries was very appreciated and welcomed in the future.
- taking into account the increasing importance of weather, climate and water monitoring systems in predicting of climate change WMO and ITU should continue and even further strengthen their cooperation;
- ITU should actively participate in the development and implementation of a new WMO Global Framework for Climate Services as decided by the World Climate Conference 3;
- representatives of meteorological and telecommunication communities should intensify their efforts in developing awareness of their communities and general public about the use of telecommunications/ICTs and essential role of radio-frequency spectrum for activities related to climate, weather and water information, warnings and prediction services.
It was also proposed to organize similar ITU/WMO seminars regularly, in particular before WRCs.