1. Mechanisms to Forge Global Partnerships and Regional Cooperation Wolfgang E. Grabs Chief, Water Resources Division WMO

2. In North – South cooperative agreements, partnerships as twinning arrangements are an efficient way to improve and upgrade the performance of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services Partnerships can be understood as win-win arrangements between organizations and institutions that pursue common objectives Partnerships are a resource- and cost-efficient way to exchange knowledge and know-how, pooling resources and share ”Lessons-Learnt” Why Partnerships?

3. Entering Partnerships Define own areas of cooperative interests Search and contact partners with shared interests Arrange ”Match-Making” Define roles of the partners

4. Mechanisms WMO offers a wide range of arranged partnerships through: Expert meetings and workshops Technical Commisssions and Working Groups Regional Working Groups

5. (Global Water Partnership, Cooperative Partnership on Water and Climate...) Collaboration with Regional Organizations Regional Organization have a specialized mandate and in many cases are organized in either an intergovenmental framework or, in a more informal manner, as NGO’s. (Regional Economic Commissions, River Basin Organzations Networks of NGO’s ) Informal global and regional partnerships These are focused on a common theme with a joint working agenda where all collaborators are equal partners

6. One of the most intense and effective cooperative partnerships are forged through cooperation in joint (regional) and bilateral projects Regional cooperation can be facilitated through regional organizations and institutions, where the implementation of common interest areas is achieved through common projects and through bilateral projects Examples are the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System, NOAA, bilateral donors and the regional or globally agreed definition of ”outreach activities” and their implementation on the basis of an agreed action plan..

7. This workshop offers an excellent platform to agree on....the implementation of a web-based mechanism for the exchange of knowlege and know-how between experts....the forging of regional partnerships as a result of the regional break-out groups....the definition and joint promotion of demonstration projects...the forging of national cross-sectoral partnerships...the forging of improved collaboration between National Hydrological and Meteorological Services