The IGWCO Transition into GEO

1
The IGWCO Transition into GEO

• August 2007
• IGWCO Secretariat
• 7bis, avenue de la paix
• CH-1211 Geneva 2

2
The IGWCO

• The Integrated Global Observing Strategy
  Partnership (IGOS-P) launched the Integrated
  Water Cycle Observations (IGWCO) Theme in 2004.
• Main objectives
• address concerns regarding long-term
  sustainability of safe water provision for human
  activities globally
• detect and understand climate change through
  observation analysis of trends in atmospheric
  water vapor, precipitation, streamflow and other
  water cycle variables
• promote strategies facilitating acquisition,
  processing, and distribution of data products
  needed for effective management of the worlds
  water resources
• The IGWCO is a best efforts enterprise
• sets up strategies, identifies partners, and then
  attempts to foster collaboration between them

3
GEO

• The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) established
  at the time of the Earth Observation Summit in
  Washington DC (2003) in response to the World
  Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in
  Johannesburg (2000)
• Main objectives
• development of a Global Earth Observation System
  of Systems (GEOSS) over the next decade, which
  will
• achieve comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained
  observations of the Earth system, in order to
• improve monitoring of the state of the Earth,
  increase understanding of Earth processes, and
  enhance prediction of the Earth system
• 9 Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs) provide focus for
  GEOs activities
• water SBA aims to improve water resource
  management through better understanding of the
  water cycle

4
Transition from IGOS-P to GEO

• Third Plenary of the GEO (Bonn, November 2006)
  proposed individual Themes under IGOS-P be
  transitioned into GEO.
• intent is to streamline efforts and avoid
  redundancy
• 3rd Annual Planning Meeting of the IGWCO
  (Washington DC, March 2007)
• examined modalities/feasibility of merging the
  Water Cycle Theme into GEO within Executive
  Committee and Science Advisory Group
• initial response favorable
• 14th Session of the IGOS-P (Paris, May 2007)
• proposal further discussed among Theme chairs and
  ultimately accepted
• each Theme to negotiate terms of transition into
  GEO individually
• IGOS-P to be dissolved at the time of GEO
  Ministerial Meeting in November 2007

5
The IGWCO within GEO

• GEO recognizes and affirms the current objectives
  of the IGWCO as it seeks to provide guidance and
  strategy for maintenance/enhancement of
  hydrologic cycle observations.
• GEO political leverage seen as a bonus.
• The IGWCO will continue its best efforts
  approach and maintain its current structure,
  including
• Governance by Executive Committee and Science
  Advisory Group (SAG)
• Administration by Tri-partite Secretariat
• The IGWCO (and other former IGOS-P Themes) will
  present observational, end-user, and stakeholder
  strategy/issues to GEO via
• active role in GEO Communities of Practice (CoP)
• representation in GEO 4 Committees
• User Interface (UIC)
• Science and Technology (STC)
• Architecture and Data (ADC)
• Capacity Building (CBC)

6
The IGWCO within GEO (cont.)

• The IGWCO will continue to report on its
  activities, in line with GEOs Work Plan Task
  reporting framework.
• Additionally, the IGWCO will provide
• progress reports towards implementation of
  recommended actions/activities.
• annual updates to GEO Water Tasks where
  appropriate.
• reports documents for general viewing via the
  IGWCO website.
• Annual updates of the GEO Workplan will allow the
  IGWCO to modify existing Water Tasks, and
  introduce new ones.
• Across-Theme integration is key for laying
  foundation of GEOs Water Strategy.
• the IGWCO can play pivotal role through founding
  a Hydrology CoP
• GEO will help facilitate and promote IGWCO
  meetings/symposia.
• The IGWCO website is to be linked from GEO web
  portal.

7
Final Words

• The point of contact for the IGWCO within the GEO
  Secretariat is Michael Rast (and Douglas Cripe).
• Wolfgang Grabs acts as chair of the IGWCO
  Executive Committee.
• Rick Lawford acts a chair of the Sicence Advisory
  Group
• Stuart Marsh will remain chair of the IGWCO Theme
  Leaders Group.
• The IGWCO Secretariat is being supported by WMO
  and JAXA
• A dedicated meeting will be held before the GEO
  Ministerial Summit to iron out specific details.
• The GEO Ministerial Summit is slated for 30
  November 2007.