资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

The 18th session of the WMO Regional Association for North America, Central America and the Caribbean (RAIV) in February focused on how to improve service delivery, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in the context of the WMO Reform and the unprecedented situation with the COVID 19 pandemic.

Implementation of WMO Reform in the Region and major technical activities related to enhanced services, regional climate centres, observations and data exchange, hydrology and water resources, capacity development and research were among the key discussion and action items.

The RA IV Members decided on regional priorities, approved a new operating plan for 2021–2023 and created four new regional Committees –for infrastructure, hurricanes, hydrology and water resources, and services. Focal points were also established: (i) Capacity Development, (ii) Education and Training, (iii) Disaster Risk reduction, (iv) Research and Modelling and (v) Satellite Data Requirements.

Significant attention was given to regional engagement with the regional UN and inter-governmental system, as well as with development partners and public-private engagement.

A special Ocean side-event aimed to explore the needs, find the gaps and identify priorities in ocean matters. Key regional ocean priorities were discussed: Improved Coastal and Marine services, Coastal Hazards and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS), Research and Capacity Development, Maritime Safety, and Polar, International and Regional Cooperation. The side-event paved the way for RA IV to move forward with a clear vision and roadmap to address priority ocean actions in the upcoming Ocean Decade.

Mr Evan G. Thompson (left), Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the WMO, and Ms Luz Graciela Calzadilla (above), Permanent Representative of Panama to the WMO, were elected respectively president and vice-president at the meeting. This is the first time that Jamaica assumes the RA IV presidency and the second time that Panama is in the vice-presidency.

To follow-up the RA IV-18 several activities have been planned for April and early May: the 28th RA IV Management Group meeting, the Third RA IV Hydrological Advisors Forum to discuss the Regional Road Map on Hydrology and Water Resources and the Regional Workshop on Aircraft Based Observations.

One of the key outcomes of the session was an agreement to strengthen the integration of the English- and Spanish-speaking Members under one RA IV common vision and action plan to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the rich diversity across the region and to serve all Members better.