1. RA II Regional priorities 2020-2023
(RA II-16 Doc 5.2)
Preparatory Management Group Meeting for RA II-16 (MG-11)

2. Proposed RA II Regional Priorities 2020-2023
Technical Priorities
Risk information and seamless Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) for Disaster Risk Management (DRM)
Service Delivery (SD) as a Cross-Cutting Framework
Implementation of the results-based framework and mechanism for WMO contributions to the GFCS
Climate Services and Role of Regional Climate Centres (RCCs)
Implementation of WIGOS and WIS including information management practices
Aviation meteorological services
Fundamental Priorities to support the Technical Priorities
Capacity development with emphasis on Gender Equality
Scientific Research and Development
Partnerships

3. Technical Priorities

4. Risk information and seamless Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) for Disaster Risk Management (DRM):
Meet the increasing demands for timely, accurate understandable and actionable weather and climate information that enable key stakeholders to make critical weather related decisions, increase the access and ability to use multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments by communities, in particular, through the development of impact-based forecasts and risk based warnings, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
Comments /Clarifications:
Focusing on the development of hazard data and impact-based forecasts and warning on multiple timescales through the development of partnerships with other key organizations and entities, as well as user training and education programmes to enable the application and use of such forecasts.
This priority would be in line with the high level UN agenda including SDG, the Sendai Framework, and the UNFCCC Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage, ensuring consistency in the long term.
Floods are the most deadly and most costly disasters in the region, and it is important to retain the seamless reference in the MHEWS.

5. Service Delivery (SD) as a Cross-Cutting Framework:
Improve the capacity for the provision and delivery of meteorological, climatological and hydrological services in support of safety of life, livelihood and property as well as for economic prosperity and sustainable development.
Comments /Clarifications:
Implementation of the WMO Strategy for Service Delivery and continued development and implementation of the strategy for SD (Cg-17 Resolution 2)

6. Implementation of the results-based framework and mechanism for WMO contributions to the GFCS:
Identification of GFCS support needs in specific countries; Coordination of scientific and technical support; Sharing of results, lessons and tools across countries; Establishment of mechanisms for permanent dialogue involving key stakeholders in climate services development and application, e.g., National Climate Outlook Forum and National Framework for Climate Services at Services.
Comments /Clarifications:
EC-68 endorsed a results based framework and mechanism for WMO contributions to the GFCS. The decision assigns specific roles within the mechanism to Regional Associations, and specifically to the working groups on climate services and/or GFCS focal points within Regional Associations.

7. Climate Services and Role of Regional Climate Centres (RCCs):
Improve climate monitoring, prediction and climate data management, and promote the implementation of GFCS at national and regional levels in support of climate risk management, adaption to climate change and sustainable development of socio-economic sectors and support of decision making in climate-sensitive areas through partnerships.
Comments /Clarifications:
Stakeholders survey indicated the need for better climate data management systems.
GFCS Implementation Plan targets five priority areas - food security, water resources, public health, energy and DRR.

8. Implementation of WIGOS and WIS including information management practices:
Maintain and improve real-time observing systems including metadata, quality and quantity of observations, communication and information sharing, telecommunication and ICT infrastructures and database management; Complete the implementation of WIGOS and WIS, including ensuring Members’ staff are equipped with the full scope of necessary competencies as laid out in the Manuals on WIGOS and WIS with review of information management practices.
Comments /Clarifications:
Implementation of WIGOS and WIS should be maintained as fundamental priorities for implementation until operation system is stabilized.
Information management practices will need to be reviewed in line with new guidance from technical commissions under Resolution 33 (Cg-17).

9. Aviation meteorological services:
Address existing deficiencies in the provision of aeronautical meteorological services through focused assistance to Members in need of developing their capacity to achieve required service levels in terms of quality, reliability and sustainability of service; Promote cooperative regionalized service delivery models where needed to build collective capacity in an efficient and sustainable manner; Enhance the overall compliance with the ICAO and WMO requirements, in particular with respect to QMS, competency and qualification of personnel serving aviation; Facilitate the uptake of research and development achievements into operational practice of Members.
Comments /Clarifications:
The realization of the aeronautical MET priority goals should be through a detailed action plan including:
Identification of critical performance deficiency and providing focused assistance to Members concerned.
Working on sub-regional scale through projects (similar to the SIGCoord Project in RA V) on coordinated cross-border service delivery.
ETR and other capacity building activities to in particular support competency assessment, QMS and qualification requirements.
Cooperative arrangements such as twinning between developed and less developed Members to foster the transfer of skills, knowledge and technology leading to performance improvements at national and regional level.

10. Fundamental Priorities to support the Technical Priorities

11. Capacity development with emphasis on Gender Equality:
To support the implementation of regional priorities in terms of budget and staffing resource with gender balance, education and training needs, twinning of experts.
Comments /Clarifications:
Recall Resolution 59 (Cg-17) on Gender equality and empowerment of women and the WMO Gender Equality Policy and Decision 14/1 (EC-68) on WMO Gender Action Plan.

12. Scientific Research and Development:
Focusing on the innovation for Urban and high-dense populated regions including regional and urban air pollution, new tools for high impact weather forecast and communication, and research advancements in multi-early warning systems including biomass burning and impacts on air-quality and sand and dust storm.
Comments /Clarifications:
Secure resources for continuous research and development necessary to improve the operational services in cooperation with academic communities.
Stakeholders survey indicated the need for better mesoscale prediction systems.

13. Partnerships:
With national stakeholders, regional partners, bilateral donor agencies and private sectors to leverage the synergies and resources in the provision of meteorological and climate services, outreach to the community.
Comments /Clarifications:
Need resources to conduct and implement the priority programmes and activities.

14. Discussion
Separation of technical priorities and fundamental priorities
Refinement of the scope of the regional priorities for
Prioritize the regional priorities
Future procedure for approval