Side events

A number of side events will support deliberations and discussions at the Congress.

Side events will comprise meetings of the Congress committees and sub-committees as well as information meetings on WMO priorities and various programmes.

Side events will be announced in the daily Journal.

Presentations related to side events can be found on the WMO FTP server.

Congress Working Bodies

FINAC (WMO HQ)

2011 meeting of Presidents of Regional Associations (WMO HQ)

Bureau meeting (WMO HQ)

Several Coordination Committee meetings (closed)

Several Meetings of the Nomination Committee (closed)

Several Meetings of the Credentials Committee (closed)

GFCS Subcommittee(s) - If established by Congress
The side events will be organized as a series of six interconnected events and will be closely aligned with the five components of the GFCS as recommended by the High-level Taskforce (HLT) in its report.

Several meetings of the Sub-Committee on the Budget for the 16th Financial Period - If established by Congress

Several Regional Association consultative meetings

Briefing on Congress procedures and working methods

Meetings of the Sub-Committee on Amendments to the General Regulations

Presentation of the Electronic Voting System

Meeting of the Bureau-elect

Meeting of the EC-elect

Meeting of President of Regional Associations on WIGOS/WIS

2011 Joint meeting of the Presidents of Technical Commissions and Regional Associations

Daily schedule of Congress Bodies and Information Meetings
Saturday 14 May
10h00	FINAC (WMO HQ)
Sunday 15 May
08h30-10h00	2011 Meeting of Presidents of Regional Associations (WMO HQ)
10h00-13h00	FINAC cont'd (WMO HQ)
14h30-16h30	Bureau meeting (WMO HQ)
16h30-17h00	2011 Meeting of Presidents of Regional Associations (WMO HQ), if necessary
16h30-17h30	Briefing for Chairs
Tuesday 17 May
08h30-09h30	Agrometeorological Advisory Services in the Developing World This side event, organized by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) of Government of India will provide information on the progress being made in the development of the weather information based farm advisory service in India. The service emphasize to collect and organize climate/weather, soil and crop information, and to amalgamate them with weather forecast to assist farmers in taking management decisions. Click here to download the flyer.
12h30-14h30	Briefing on Congress procedures and working methods
13h00-14h30	Space Weather Space Weather, the phenomenon which encompasses the conditions on the Sun — like solar eruptions and sunspot activity — the winds and magnetic field around the Sun, and the ionosphere, can influence the performance and reliability of space- and ground-based systems, causing disruptions to aviation, global navigation systems, electrical supply networks, and radio communications. This Side Event will explore the impacts of Space Weather on the activities of National Meteorological Services (NMSs), and the role that WMO and its partners can play in improving Global Preparedness for Space Weather Hazards. Click here to download the flyer.
14h00-14h30	1st meeting of the Nomination Committee
17h30-18h30	Meeting of the Credentials Committee
17h30-18h30	RA I Consultation Meeting
Wednesday 18 May
08h30-09h30	1st Coordination Committee
08h30-09h30	Preparations for JCOMM-IV
09h00-10h00	GFCS II - Coordination meeting
12h30-13h30	GFCS I - Role of NMSs in GFCS Introduction of the series of side events (as listed in the proposal below) through “Panel presentations” by the coordinators of the series’ other five side events, and providing links to related side events that serve the objectives of GFCS. The session will address the following questions: What are climate services? What role can be played by NMHSs in delivering these services? What mechanism within the national context can be used to position NMHSs? How will the Framework be implemented?
13h30-14h30	League of Arab States (LAS)
13h30-14h30	RA II Consulatation meeting
13h30-15h00	Developing a Space-based Architecture for Climate Monitoring Satellites are playing an increasingly important role in monitoring climate and climate change, yet there currently exists no international agreement for a space-based architecture for climate monitoring. This Side Event will explore challenges and opportunities for developing such an architecture. Invited speakers will present perspectives from NMHSs, Space Agencies, WMO Constituent Bodies and WMO Programmes and/or Co-Sponsored Programmes. Click here to download the flyer.
17h30-19h30	GFCS II - Role of NMSs in strengthening observations and monitoring in support of climate services This side event will explore challenges and emerging opportunities for strengthening observations and monitoring for climate services and elevating the awareness of the role of NMHSs in strengthening observation networks. Integration of observation networks is being addressed by the evolving WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), which includes surface-based, airborne and space-based observations including the development of a space-based architecture for climate monitoring. It will also discuss the composition and scope of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) noting that many of its contributing systems are part of the WIGOS and implemented by NMHSs, and address the critical climate data aspects, including the role of NMHSs in developing and making available high-quality climate data sets for improving global and national climate system monitoring, accelerating climate data rescue and modernizing climate data management systems including climate data exchange. Participants will be encouraged to provide suggestions for identifying gaps, challenges and mechanisms to improve the current status of climate data availability and exchange. The side event will conclude with an exchange of views about collaboration mechanisms and partnerships on strengthening observations and monitoring, given the fact that the resources are limited, and more needs to be done to communicate the importance of national, regional and global observing systems to those who fund these systems. The following key questions will be addressed: What are the challenges and impediments facing NMHSs in sustaining and strengthening national observing systems for climate services? How would the development of an integrated observing system at national level help climate services? What are the main challenges or obstacles in using satellite data for climate applications? How would the climate data sets be improved and strengthened for global climate monitoring? How would the regional/sub-regional initiatives like MEDARE be up-scaled and implemented to support the development of high quality long term climate data sets? How would the developing and least developed countries be supported for the development and maintenance of Climate Data Management Systems (CDMS)? What institutional mechanisms at the regional level would enable harmonized solutions? How would GCOS support observations for adaptation measures and impact assessments?
Thursday 19 May
08h30-09h30	1st meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Operating Plan and Budget for the 16th Financial Period
09h00-14h00	Consultating meeting on High-level policy on Satellite Matters
12h30-13h30	Replacement for WMO Publication 258 “Guidelines for the Education and Training of Personnel in Meteorology and Operational Hydrology Under paper 6.2 Cg-XVI is invited to approve changes to the definition of a Meteorologist and Meteorological Technician and their associated Basic Instruction Programmes. The proposed changes remove ambiguity about what was meant by "or equivalent" in the current definition of meteorologist. The requirement is now based solely around successful completion of the Basic Instruction Package - Meteorologist and the content of this package is set at degree level. Permanent Representatives will be able to set the entry level academic requirements for someone to undertake BIP-M courses in their country. The Basic Instruction Packages are rewritten in terms of learning outcomes rather than syllabus. This meeting will provide an opportunity for Members to ask questions of members of the EC Panel of Experts on Education and Training regarding the proposed definition and the contents and structure of the Basic Instruction Packages.
12h30-13h30	GFCS III - Developing the capacity of NMSs to deliver and make use of climate products and services This side event will provide an overview of the current status of the NMHSs in delivering and promoting the use of climate products and services, highlighting the relatively limited scope that these activities have in NMHS operations. It will consider possible approaches to mainstream operational climate products and services by the NMHSs, particularly in developing countries, and will emphasize the value of developing and adopting commonly agreed best practices both in delivering and in communicating climate information. The session will typically address the following questions: What is the current status of the provision of climate information within the operational activities of NMHSs vis-à-vis weather information? What is the operational infrastructure/coordination required (including links to global/regional sources)? What is the rationale for establishing National Climate Centres and National Climate Outlook Forums? What are the competencies and skills required for operational climate activities? What is the scope and content of a CLIPS Toolbox that can be developed and updated to promote best practices? What is the user liaison and communication strategy to be adopted at the national level to improve the use of climate information in decision-making for risk management and adaptation? How can the uncertainties in climate information be communicated?
13h30-14h30	RA V Consultation meeting
13h30-14h30	RA VI Management Group
13h30-14h30	Formal Transfer of database management system MCH from Iberoamerican Cooperation Programme to WMO
13h30-14h30	Launch of the FMI-Uzhydromet Project Promoting Modernization of Meteorological and Hydrological Services in Central Asia
18h00-19h00	EUMETSAT and Africa
Friday 20 May
08h30-09h30	Sub-Committee on GFCS
08h30-09h30	Meeting of the Credentials Committee (if necessary)
08h30-09h30	Country Profile Data Base This side event will showcase progress to date on the development of a WMO Country Profile Data Base. Additional meeting will be held 2 June
12h30-13h30	GFCS IV - Integrating climate research to support the NMSs in operarational delivery of services This side event will showcase some of the research products and outcomes that are currently being developed by the science community and that could transition to operational climate information and prediction products in support of climate services. Feedback will be sought on what would be the most effective mechanism for expediting such a transition. The event aims to stimulate an exchange of views on how to develop and sustain partnerships at different levels for better integration of climate research in support of the efforts of NMHSs for producing operational products. Questions to be addressed: What are the climate research products/outcomes that are ready for operational implementation in support of climate services? What are the potential mechanisms to expedite transition of research advances into improved operational products? What are the major operational challenges currently faced by NMHSs that need concerted research efforts?
12h30-13h30	6th session of RA V Management Group
13h00-14h30	WIGOS - Our Planet's Future Hub for Weather, Climate and Water Observations Three presentations will be delivered: The first on WIGOS from a general perspective, by Prof A.D. Moura, Third Vice-President of WMO, Chair EC-WG/WIGOS-WIS and PR of Brazil; The second on WIGOS from a Member perspective, by Dr S.L. Barrell, Australia, Vice-President of CBS; The third on JCOMM WIGOS Pilot project, by a representative of JCOMM, on experiences gained, lessons learned and the legacy of this very successful project
13h30-14h00	Meeting of the Nomination Committee
13h30-14h30	International Advisers to PRs of RAVI Members with WMO (INTAD-6)
13h30-14h30	RA III Management Group meeting
13h30-14h30	JMA's emergency responses to the massive earthquake affecting Japan on the 11th of March 2011 The Japan Meteorological Agency will give a briefing on its responses to the earthquake , such as: the continuation of the operational services, the recovery of the observation networks, multi-hazard risk reduction and the special services needed to meet the requirements in the damaged areas. It is hoped that the experiences of the emergency responses of JMA will be shared with, and applied to the operations of, many other National Meteorological Services.
17h30-18h30	GFCS V - Facilitating the flow of climate information This session deals with organizing and moving operational climate information products required for the implementation of the GFCS. The overarching focus will be to go beyond developing the products, and develop an operational strategy to make the products routinely available to users across sectors, spatial domains and decision contexts. Some of the relevant questions will be: What is the Climate Services Information System, and what are its mechanisms for the generation and exchange of global-regional-national climate information? How do WMO Technical Regulations (through GDPFS) facilitate quality management and operational commitments in this regard? What is the existing WMO system for global (Global Producing Centres, Global Climate Data Centres, Global Climate Monitoring Centres) and regional centres (RCCs) producing and disseminating climate information? What are the consensuses approaches to facilitate common understanding of climate information? What are Regional Climate Outlook Forums? What is a Global Seasonal Climate Update? How do the WMO Information System (WIS), the Global Telecommunication System (GTS), the Internet, and other technologies help in the flow of climate information?
Saturday 21 May
08h30-09h30	Sub-Committee on GFCS
08h30-09h30	2nd meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Budget for the 16th Financial Period
12h30-13h30	WIS Centres Demonstration 1. A presentation by the Chairman of the Inter-commission Coordination Group on WIS on the progress of WIS implementation. 2. A live demonstration of the WIS new functionality by the WIS Centres endorsed at CBS-Ext (10). 3. A presentation by other candidate WIS Centres ready for pre-operation. 4. Q/A
12h30-13h30	RA IV Management Group meeting
13h30-14h30	Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Amendments to the General Regulations
Monday 23 May
08h30	2nd Coordination Committee
08h30-09h30	RA II consultation meeting
12h30-13h30	3rd meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Budget or the 16th Financial Period
12h30-13h30	GFCS VI - Understanding user needs of climate services This side event will showcase some of the research products and outcomes that are currently being developed by the science community and that could transition to operational climate information and prediction products in support of climate services. Feedback will be sought on what would be the most effective mechanism for expediting such transition. This side event aims to stimulate exchange of views on how to develop and sustain partnerships at different levels for better integration of climate research in support of the efforts of NMHSs for producing operational products. Questions to be addressed: What are the climate research products/outcomes that are ready for operational implementation in support of climate services? What are the potential mechanisms to expedite transition of research advances into improved operational products? What are the major operational challenges currently faced by NMHSs that need concerted research efforts?
13h30-14h30	Sub-seasonal to seasonal prediction This side-meeting will focus on the establishment of a research project for sub-seasonal prediction (0 to 90 days) and the contribution that successful sub-seasonal predictions can make to the developing programme for Global Framework for Climate Services. Recent results suggest that there is potentially useful predictability at sub-seasonal timescales, intermediate between NWP and seasonal timescales and it is worthwhile developing a research strategy to explore and exploit this potential. The presentations and the subsequent panel discussions will focus on a review of the current capabilities, proposals for operational collaboration in sub-seasonal prediction and recommendations for the establishment of an international research project on sub-seasonal prediction. All countries would benefit from such a project but in developing plans priority should be given to the needs of climate-vulnerable least developed countries. All Members are welcome to attend."
13h30-14h30	Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Amendments to the General Regulations
13h30-14h30	Climate and Health in Africa - outcomes from Ethiopia Background: In April this year, a workshop on climate and health was held in Addis Ababa at which over 100 delegates from across Africa met to discuss the major issues that faced their communities. The delegates were from either the health sector or weather/climate prediction centres and the 4-day workshop was aimed at examining the key issues they had to deal with and to plan a 10-year roadmap to overcome some of the barriers to closer collaboration. In essence, the outcome was to make weather and climate science more relevant for the African health sector. Details about this side event: Chair: Wayne Elliott (UK Met Office) Speakers: Haleh Kootval (WMO) Judy Omumbo (International Research Institute for Climate and Society)
14h30-15h00	Meeting of the Nomination Committee (if necessary)
17h30	Polar issues, including Global Cryosphere Watch and Polar Prediction The session aims to increase Member awareness of past and future activities to build the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) and strengthen the community engaged in Polar activities. Polar areas are predicted to be the first to suffer major, irreversible impacts from climate change, and through global teleconnections of atmospheric and oceanic processes this will also affect nations beyond the poles through changes in sea level and extremes in weather and climate. Major changes in snow cover and mountain glaciers also show signs of climate stress affecting societies and economy worldwide. The presentations and subsequent panel discussions will help WMO focus on a series of actions to deliver science based services in this domain. Nearly one hundred Members have operational programmes designed to observe, monitor and understand changes taking place in the cryosphere, ranging from Members with Arctic and Antarctic interest (e.g. transportation safety/sea-ice) to Third Pole countries dealing with water management issues. All Members are welcome to attend.
17h30-18h30	Presentation of the Electronic Voting System
17h30-18h30	Meeting of RA VI Permanent Representatives
Tuesday 24 May
08h30	Meeting of the Nomination Committee (if necessary)
08h30-09h30	4th meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Budget for the 16th Financial Period
08h30-09h30	Meeting of the Credentials Committee (if necessary)
12h30-13h30	League of Arab States (LAS)
13h30-14h30	Presentation of AEMET/WMO Cooperation Programmes for NMHSs of West Africa and Iberoamerican countries
17h30	Meeting of the Presidents of Technical Commissions
17h30-18h30	Mumm Prize Award Ceremony
Wednesday 25 May
08h30	3rd Coordination Committee
12h30-14h30	Assoc. Hydro-meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI)
13h30-14h30	Sand and Dust Storm Research
13h30-14h30	WMO and International Polar Year Conference 2012: From Knowledge to Action The International Polar Year 2007 – 2008 (IPY) has been the largest campaign of interdisciplinary polar research ever undertaken. The “International Polar Year Conference 2012: From Knowledge to Action” (Montreal, Canada, 22-27 April 2012) is the final IPY event. The Conference will highlight the latest polar science findings and offer a platform for synthesizing the disciplinary knowledge into system-scale understanding, with a view to engage public and major stakeholders into informed action on most important polar issues. WMO has been a major sponsor of IPY, and the side event will address all dimensions of the WMO involvement in the Montreal Conference 2012.
17h30-18h00	Megacities and GURME Today over half the world’s population lives in urban areas, by 2050 this portion is expected to rise to 70 %. Cities will need improved climate, weather and environmental services to be resilient in withstanding environmental hazards. Megacities are often situated along coasts or near major rivers and deltas and face many challenges due to their locations as well as to high economic, population and building density. Climate information and services are needed for planning and long term infrastructure building, while weather and environmental information and services respond to the needs of the population in handling severe and high impact events. This side event presents 1) actions taken by GURME in assisting megacities 2) a specific sample presented by Shanghai 3) challenges of climate change and air pollution interactions, the EU MEGAPOLI project and 4) includes discussion on future needs. Members are very welcome to attend!
17h30-18h00	Arctic METAreas (announcement on Operational Capability)
17h30-18h00	WIND project
Thursday 26 May
08h30-09h30	5th meeting of the Sub-Committee on the Budget for the 16th Financial Period
08h30-09h30	Meeting of the Credentials Committee (if necessary)
12h30-13h30	League of Arab States (LAS)
Friday 27 May
08h30-09h30	Meeting on Pakistan Floods
12h30-13h30	Expo 2010 Meteoworld pavilion and MHEWS
13h30-14h30	Coastal Inundation Matters - Review of ongoing initiatives and applied projects
Monday 30 May
08h30	4th Coordination Committee
12h30-13h30
13h30-14h30	An emerging WMO challenge: Supporting Greenhouse Gas Management" WMO, through its Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), World Weather Research (WWR), and World Climate Research (WCRP) Programmes, houses key capabilities for understanding the Earth System and improving our ability to respond to a changing climate. These capabilities can also help extensively with climate mitigation. In managing atmospheric greenhouse gases, many nations will engage numerous approaches that affect several economic and social sectors. While some approaches will directly affect greenhouse gas emissions, others, such as improving efficiencies, altering transportation modes, and invoking offsets will be indirect and difficult to measure. These will be further complicated by Earth System responses, which could positively or negatively affect the mitigation efforts. How will we know what is working and what is not? How can we provide regional scale information to support nations in these efforts? This set of discussions addresses a unique role for WMO in ensuring the success of climate change mitigation by providing integrating mechanisms for observations, modeling, and information delivery.
13h30-14h30	IMO Selection Committee
Tuesday 31 May
08h30-09h30	Meeting of the Bureau-elect
12h30-13h30	3rd session of RA II Management Group
12h30-13h30	FINAC
Wednesday 1 June
12h30-13h30	League of Arab States (LAS)
17h30-18h30	Meeting of the EC-elect
17h30-18h30	Meeting of President of Regional Associations on WIGOS/WIS
Thursday 2 June
08h30	5th Coordination Committee
13h30-14h30	GCOS - Climate Observations for all Domains Many observation systems contribute to the GCOS network of global observation systems for climate. This side event will report on the progress and status of implementation in the three domains Atmosphere, Ocean and Land and how the GCOS Cooperation Mechanism works for developing countries in particular to improve atmospheric observations for climate.
12h30-13h30	League of Arab States (LAS)
13h30-14h30	Country Profil Database
14h30	IMO Prize Award Ceremony (in conjunction with a scientific lecture by the 55th IMO Prize Laureat)
17h30	2011 Joint meeting of the Presidents of Technical Commissions and Regional Associations