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 GEO’s 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 GEO’s 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 GEO’s 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 Leader’s 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.