Institutional support

Education and training activities in the field of hydrology and water have always been a priority for WMO. The Organization supports regular and ad hoc courses and seminars and also provides guidance for the development of education and training programmes. Without firm and well-balanced institutional arrangements, nations will have difficulty responding to the water problems that now pose a real threat to sustainable development, and in responding to the increasing concern over the environmental dimension of programmes are of great importance but, even with long-term funding, these will be of only limited benefit if they are not supported by suitable policy and legal frameworks.

WMO's contribution to the water sector therefore includes support for the development of water laws, and the improvement of infrastructure and facilities. A new challenge is being posed by policies on such issues as national cost recovery and commercialization. This calls for the reorganization of services and changes in administrative and legal frameworks. WMO is addressing this through cooperative activities involving both National Hydrological and Meteorological Services.