World Meteorological OrganizationEXECUTIVE COUNCILSeventieth SessionGeneva, 20 to 29 June 2018

EC-70/INF. 9Submitted by:

Secretary-General28.V.2018

POLAR AND HIGH MOUNTAIN REGIONS

This document provides background information supporting decisions, resolutions and recommendations proposed in EC-70/Doc. 9, as well as a summary of activities relevant to the WMO Polar and High-Mountain Regions WMO Priority activity.

The draft decisions, resolutions and recommendations from EC-70/Doc. 9 are the outcome of the Eighth Session of the Executive Council Panel of Experts on Polar and High-Mountain Observations, Research and Services (EC-PHORS-8), which took place in Levi, Finland, from 21 to 23 March 2018. The meeting also initiated the framing of WMO Polar and High Mountain Regions activities as part of the new draft Strategic Plan for 2020-2023 as described in this document, leading to proposed Recommendation 9/1 (EC-70), Key directions for the Polar and High-Mountain Agenda for the Next WMO Financial Period (2020-2023).

Content:

(a) Background Information supporting Draft Resolution 9/1 (EC-70), Terms of Reference of the Executive Council Panel of Experts on Polar and High-Mountain Observations, Research and Services (EC-PHORS)

(b) Background Information supporting Draft Resolution 9/2 (EC-70), Global Cryosphere Watch Observing Network (Establishment of the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) Observing Network, consisting of CryoNet and contributing stations), and Draft Recommendation 9/1 (EC-70), Pre-operational Phase of the Global Cryosphere Watch

(c) Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/1, Global High-Mountain Summit 2018 (Endorsing a plan for Global High-Mountain Summit, to be organized in Dec 2018)

(d) Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/2, Memorandum of Understanding Between WMO and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and the International Arctic Science committee

(e) Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/3, Polar Space Task Group (Endorsing an observations and capabilities gap analysis in polar and high mountain regions, in-situ and space based, with a focus on cryosphere, which to inform the updating of the terms of Reference of the Polar Space Task Group, with a potential extension in the high mountain areas)

(f) Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/4, Antarctic Observing Network (Updating the list of stations included in the Antarctic Observing Network (AntON))

(g) Background information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/5 Polar Regional Climate Centres (PRCCs) and Regional Climate Outlook Forums

(h) Background Information supporting Draft Recommendation 9/1 (EC-70), Key directions for the Polar and High-Mountain Agenda for the Next WMO Financial Period (2020-2023) (Recommending to Congress key directions for the Polar and high mountain agenda for the next WMO Financial Period (2020-2023), linking to societal benefits to be achieved

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(i) Background Information supporting Draft Recommendation 9/1 (EC-70), Pre-operational Phase of the Global Cryosphere Watch

(j) Polar Prediction Project (PPP) and Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP)

(k) WMO engagement with the Arctic Circle

(l) WMO engagement with the Arctic Council and its Working Groups

(m) WMO Engagement with the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and its Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP)

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Background Information supporting Draft Resolution 9/1 (EC-70), Terms of Reference of the Executive council Panel of Experts on Polar and High-Mountain Observations, Research and Services (EC-PHORS)The Eighth Session of EC-PHORS (Levi, Finland, 21-23 March 2018) reviewed the Terms of Reference of EC-PHORS, and agreed to recommend changes to be adopted by the Executive Council (see Annex of the final report of the meeting). The proposed changes are essentially to:

(a) Reflect engagement of WMO in the Arctic Council, and consideration of the requirements of indigenous people;

(b) Recognize that EC-PHORS operated under the general terms of reference of Regional Associations with regard to the WMO activities in Antarctica as spelled out in Annex II of Basic documents No. 1 (WMO No. 15);

(c) Be able to propose recommendations to the Parties of the Antarctic Treaty System and Members of the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty;

(d) To be able to promote WMO’s engagement with the Arctic Council and its Working Groups, in particular for providing appropriate observations and Earth system modelling frameworks in the Arctic region, supporting climate resilience and adaptation policies, advancing hydrology and water resources services, and understanding changes in the oceans;

(e) Task the Panel to continue supporting and guiding the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP); and

(f) Task the Panel to develop a strategy on WMO high mountain regions focused activities, including by considering an initiative similar to YOPP for the next financial period to be submitted to Congress at its eighteenth Session for its consideration.

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Background Information supporting Draft Resolution 9/2 (EC-70), Global Cryosphere Watch Observing Network, and Draft Recommendation 9/1 (EC-70), Pre-operational Phase of the Global Cryosphere WatchGlobal Cryosphere Watch Implementation and Preoperational PhaseRoad Map to an End to End Programme

OverviewResolution 43 (Cg-17) Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), decided to mainstream and implement GCW in WMO Programmes as a cross-cutting activity. It, also, decides that the implementation activities were to be undertaken during the seventeenth financial period as one of the major efforts of the Organization, with the goal that GCW should become operational. During the seventeen financial period, GCW has made substantial progress in key areas, as defined in the Implementation Plan approved by Cg-17. GCW contributes to WMO’s role as an Observer with the Arctic Council, and in the delivery of targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, related to climate, water, natural hazards, and of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (e.g. Priority 1: Understanding disaster risk, etc.).The 2017 Fairbanks Declaration of the Arctic Council noted that “the Council recognized […] the need for well-maintained and sustained observation networks and continuous monitoring in the Arctic, such as the World Meteorological Organization's Global Cryosphere Watch Program”.

GCW Implementation: Preoperational Road MapDuring the seventeenth financial period, GCW has made significant progress, on:

(a) establishing the observing component of GCW, and its regulatory aspects, within the WIGOS framework;

(b) establishing the GCW Data Portal;

(c) developing and brokering cryosphere related products;

(d) information dissemination and outreach, via the GCW website;

(e) developing partnerships with research and operational communities;

(f) regional engagements.

The implementation of the GCW framework is approaching a point of maturity, and GCW is now enabling the deployment of its observing components, and of the implementation of its cross-cutting, end-to-end contribution to WMO’s goals. With the key initial building blocks of the GCW framework in place, by Cg-18, the prerequisites will be available for a Preoperational Phase of GCW, during the eighteen financial period. This will ensure that GCW delivers to Members the full benefits of an end-to-end programme, by positioning GCW in the WMO information value chain. GCW is uniquely positioned to be the bridge between the scientific and the operational communities, acting as an agent of change in strengthening these relationships, and addressing climate, water, and weather priorities.As the GCW Surface Observing Network is established within the WMO framework, by EC-70, the Members will be able to take the necessary steps for integrating the cryosphere observations within their respective national WIGOS framework.

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Figure 1: GCW Surface Observing Network (draft Resolution EC-70)

There are 152 stations, of which 105 are CryoNet stations (Figure 1), (https://globalcryospherewatch.org/cryonet/sites.php) which are included in the GCW Surface Observing Network, being operated by 41 different organizations, in 26 countries, in five regions and Antarctica. They belong to NMHSs, universities, other governmental and independent research organizations. Currently, of these stations, only 20% have WMO/WIGOS IDs, and are, partially registered in WMO OSCAR Surface.

Antarctica; 15RA I; 1

RA II; 18

RA III; 17

RA IV; 17

RA VI; 85

Number of GCW Stations by Region

Figure 2: GCW Surface Observing Network, by region

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GCW priorities for the Preoperational PhaseDuring the preoperational phase, GCW will focus on the following goals:(a) Supporting Members in developing national cryosphere end-to-end monitoring and

service partnership frameworks (WMO Strategic Goals # 2, 3);(b) Developing and publishing value added cryosphere products, relevant to water resource

and ecosystems management, to safety (transportation), to understanding natural hazards and risks, energy production, etc., in collaboration with relevant and partners (Strategic Goal 1, 4);

(c) Improving the access to, and the management of quality of current and past cryosphere data and products (WMO Strategic Goal #2, 3);

(d) Developing and publishing GCW regulatory and guidance material, including for supporting capacity development (WMO Strategic Goals 1, 2, 4);

To reach these goals, GCW will pursue with high priority:(i) Improving the global coverage of the Surface Observing Network to include at least

80% of countries where cryosphere is present, and ensure the access to their data;(ii) Establishing the GCW Data Portal as a Data Collection and Production Centre, and

provide data quality monitoring, within the WIGOS Data Quality Monitoring System; (iii) Finalize and Publish the GCW relevant regulatory and guidance materials;(iv) Developing regular statements on the state of the cryosphere, aligned with the

respective Polar Regional Climate Outlook Forums and with the Polar Regional Climate Centres;

(v) Developing and conduct minimum one pilot per region, for a framework for national partnerships with a focus on cryosphere, and linked to national WIGOS plans;

(vi) Advancing the availability of real time cryosphere information, supporting targeted operational services.

GCW will continue working with Members, as the full operationalization of the surface observing component of GCW requires that Members register the GCW stations operating to WMO standards within their territories, in the WMO OSCAR Surface database, by providing unique station identifiers (WIGOS ID), by documenting the station metadata, including for those stations operated by non-NMHS partners. At the same time, Members need to make their observations available in real-time, where required (e.g. snow depth). Additionally, the Permanent Representatives with WMO are expected to endorse GCW stations operating within their territory, and stations operated by their national organizations, elsewhere. During the seventeenth financial period, the implementation of GCW has faced some challenges, which will be addressed during the pre-operational phase:

(a) The scarcity of existing cryosphere observations in polar and high mountain areas;

(b) The high cost of installing and operating in-situ stations, and for data transmission in polar and high mountain regions;

(c) Most needs are acute in developing countries, and the engagement of funding agencies is a priority;

(d) The implementation of interoperability at data level requires standardization of cryosphere data and metadata semantics and terminology, common data models and formats, most of them not being available today;

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(e) There are still technological barriers for small data-centres to become interoperable with the GCW Data Portal;

(f) The heterogeneity of stakeholders in the same country, most of them outside the NMHSs, as well as the country to country differences;

The GCW regulatory framework has been published in Technical Regulations, (WMO-No. 49) of the World Meteorological Organization, Basic Documents No. 2, Volume I – General Meteorological Standards and Recommended Practices, and the best practices will be published in the next edition of the Guide to Instruments and Meteorological Observation, WMO-No. 8, as a standalone volume.

PartnershipsThe regulatory framework of WMO provides a great incentive for the operational and scientific communities to engage with WMO within the framework of GCW, as it provides the mechanism for standardization and consistency.For GCW, the third-party (non-NMHS) cryosphere observations are critical for enhanced services (Earth system model, water resource management, disaster risk reduction, building climate resilience). Most of the cryosphere related national activities are conducted outside of NMHSs, and are governed by different mechanisms. GCW will further its partnerships with organizations with cryosphere activities (e.g. IACS, IAHS, ICIMOD, SCAR, WCRP/CliC and GEWEX, Arctic Data Committee, UNESCO IHP, etc.).

GovernanceAs requested by Cg-17, the GCW Steering Group (GSG) has been providing high level guidance and general direction on the implementation and development of GCW. The Steering Group and the GCW Working Groups include representatives of partners, which has been critical for the long-term success of GCW.During the preoperational phase the GCW structure will evolve and become more service oriented, and to be fully aligned to the WMO working structureA full preoperational plan will be developed for the eighteenth financial period.

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Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/1, Global High-Mountain Summit 2018[Secretariat note: Through Decision 48 (EC-69), the Panel agreed on the definition of High-Mountain as follows: “mountain areas where seasonal or perennial cryosphere is present and poses potential and serious risks to society related to water scarcity and disaster resilience”.]EC-PHORS-8 discussed WMO High-Mountain activities, and proposed organizing a WMO Global High Mountain Summit in 2018. It tasked the EC-PHORS Observations Framework Lead, Mr Árni Snorrason (Iceland) to develop a concept paper, and the initial draft is available in Annex 1.

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Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/2, Memorandum of Understanding Between WMO and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and the International Arctic Science committee

WMO already works in partnership with both the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) on a number of issues, for example:

(a) Through co-sponsorship of a variety of science activities mainly via the WMO/IOC-UNESCO/ICSU World Climate Research Programme (e.g. the Ice Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level group, the Antarctic Sea Ice Processes and Climate group and the Southern Ocean Regional Panel) as well as areas of mutual interest e.g. the Year of Polar Prediction, led by the World Weather Research Programme;

(b) Engagement of both SCAR and IASC in the work of e.g. the Global Cryosphere Watch;

(c) Joint activities in polar policy fora, for example with SCAR joint papers submitted to the Antarctic Treaty and the Committee for Environmental Protection on e.g. the Antarctic Observing Network (AntON), with the Arctic Council and its Working Groups, e.g. the Arctic Freshwater Synthesis

Considering the above, and that the potential exists for stronger cooperation between WMO, SCAR and IASC on a number of scientific, observational, services, and policy orientated activities, for example with regards to the design and implementation of the polar regional climate centres, the Global Cryosphere Watch, co-design of future scientific activities and further collaboration in polar policy fora, in particular the Arctic Council and Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, it is proposed to explore signing a Memorandum of Understanding between WMO, SCAR and IASC in order to enhance cooperation on a number of scientific, observational, services and policy-relevant activities in the polar regions.

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Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/3, Polar Space Task GroupIn the inter-sessional period, satellite agencies in PSTG advanced systematic collection of satellite data over priority areas of Greenland, Antarctica, the Canadian and Russian Arctic, and permafrost “cold spots”. At its recent 7th meeting, the PSTG discussed engagement with the GCW observations team and CryoNet representatives on developing best practices for measuring snow and sea ice variable using surface- and space-based measurements. Engagement with scientific activities organized in the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP) has commenced, and relevant operational and additional satellite data acquisitions are being identified. To ensure close, continuous interaction of PSTG with the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) community, a focal point will be identified.PSTG together with the GCW Snow Watch Team organized a workshop on identifying requirements for future snow satellite missions, on 30-31 January 2018 at WMO Headquarters in Geneva. The workshop:

(a) reviewed current snow products, including gaps and insufficiencies,

(b) identified priority science questions and required products (with a focus on terrestrial snow mass and snow water equivalent),

(c) reviewed the maturity of requirements and technical readiness levels of satellite snow mission concepts,

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(d) identified field campaign and modelling studies to support and advance snow-water equivalent retrieval techniques, and

(e) assessed the state of readiness of operational data assimilation systems to use snow variables.

Proceedings of the workshop are being finalized, and are intended to inform the plans of satellite agencies, GCW and partner organizations to better estimate snow variables.

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Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/4, Antarctic Observing NetworkThe Antarctic Observing Network (AntON) was established by Congress through Resolution 55 (Cg-16) to better meet the requirements of Members, including those of the research community as expressed by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), for surface and upper air observations through further integration of Antarctic observing systems.Indeed, Congress considered that the density of the current Antarctic Observing Network of surface and upper-air stations was much less than that desirable to properly characterize Antarctic weather and climate, and that in order to provide a good representation of climate for Antarctica, there is no need to distinguish between a synoptic and climate network. Manned stations in Antarctica also contribute vital ozone and other observations to the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW).The name “Antarctic Observing Network (AntON)” is to be used for a description of the Antarctic network composed of surface and upper-air stations and including all Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Surface Network (GSN) and Upper-Air Network (GUAN) and GAW stations.

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Background Information supporting Draft Decision EC-70/9/5, Polar Regional Climate Centres and Regional Climate Outlook ForumsA side meeting of the Arctic PRCC-Network implementation group was held at Helsinki, Finland, on 28 and 31 August 2017, in conjunction with the Arctic Science Networking Workshop organized by Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). The meeting was chaired by Dr Helge Tangen (Norway), the Coordinator of Arctic PRCC-Network. All the three nodes were represented at the meeting, and updates on the preparations for the demonstration phase of Arctic PRCC-Network were reviewed. The meeting was informed that a dedicated staff member was hired by Met Norway for the PRCC-Network portal. The experience at MET Norway from the GCW, IPY and YOPP data portals will be the backbone for this. The North American node confirmed that Long Range Forecasts (LRF) of sea ice will be included in the PRCC product portfolio. It was agreed to regularly monitor the progress of the Arctic PRCC-Network through monthly videoconferences. The Arctic PRCC-Network was also identified as one of the themes of the Arctic Science Networking Workshop supported by a keynote presentation by Dr Tangen. This helped greater visibility to the initiative, as reflected from the references to the Arctic PRCC in the plenary as well as break-out discussions of the workshop. A Node Lead meeting was held in Oslo, Norway, on 22-23 February 2018 to consolidate the preparatory work to launch the demonstration phase along with PARCOF in 2018. The meeting agreed on the title “Arctic Regional Climate Centre Network (ArcRCC-Network)” for all future references to its activities. The meeting reviewed the status of preparations of each of the nodes for the demonstration phase, and agreed on specific actions to be ready for launch of the demonstration phase in May 2018. Met Norway has set up a web portal for ArcRCC-Network (http://arctic-rcc.org/). Environment and Climate Change Canada hosted the inaugural session of the Pan-Arctic

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Regional Climate Outlook Forum (PARCOF-1) at Ottawa, Canada, on 15-16 May 2018, with focus on Arctic Commercial Shipping users (tourism, re-supply, resource extraction and fishing) and Circumpolar Indigenous organizations (see meeting report on website1). This was followed by a meeting of the Arctic PRCC-Network Node Managers on 17 May 2018, at the same venue, for technical discussions regarding ArcRCC-Network operations during the demonstration phase.A meeting of GCW and the representatives of the Arctic PRCC-Network was held on 13 September 2017 at Montreal, Canada. The meeting examined the engagements between GCW and the Arctic PRCC-Network, inputs from GCW and other similar applications, through observations, best practices and Guides, data access and exchange, data rescue, outreach and training and through specific products including analyses and assessments. The meeting concluded with a number of recommendations and actions to facilitate sustained GCW contributions to the Arctic PRCC-Network products and services (see meeting report2).The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Canada, has formally communicated to WMO of the approval of funding for WMO’s project on “Polar Observations, Predictions and Climate Services”, with a total value of CAD 845,000 payable up until 31 March 2022. PRCC and PARCOF activities have been identified to be provided a significant proportion of this funding commitment. Following Decision 11 (RA II-16) to endorse the proposal to establish an RCC-Network for the Third Pole region, expressions of interest have been received from China and India to contribute to the implementation of such an RCC-Network. The president of RA II has entrusted the responsibility of leading this activity to the RA II Working Group on Climate Services. A survey was conducted in early 2018, followed by a scoping meeting of the representatives of Members in the Third Pole region at Geneva on 27-28 March 2018. The meeting was attended by representatives from Bhutan, China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. The meeting considered the needs and capacities of the Members for RCC implementation focused on the special needs of the Third Pole region, and agreed on the Third Pole RCC-Network (TPRCC-Network) consisting of the following nodes:(a) Northern Node: China (Lead), Contributors: Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan;(b) Southern Node: India (Lead), Contributors: Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal;(c) Western Node: Pakistan (Lead), Contributors: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan.

The meeting also agreed that China will undertake the responsibility of the overall coordinator for the TPRCC-Network. A task team co-led by Chair, RA II Working Group on Climate Services and China, with India, Pakistan and GCW representatives as members has been formed to steer the development of TPRCC-Network implementation plan according to a roadmap agreed.

During the teleconference of the EC-PHORS Services Task Team, it has been agreed that Dr Scott Carpentier will lead a sub-task team with a broader representation of interests in the Antarctic, to identify the actions and next steps to initiate a PRCC concept for the Antarctic, including an associated RCOF. On the occasion of the EC-PHORS-8, following consultations within the Services Task Team and the Antarctic Task Team, it was agreed that a new and customized survey would be conducted to determine the needs and capacities of Members having interests in the Antarctic for an RCC arrangement, followed by a scoping workshop to agree on a suitable structure for the AntRCC-Network. EC-PHORS-8 has endorsed this approach.The seventeenth session of CCl held in Geneva on 10 and 13 April 2018, noting that the functions and criteria defined for designation of RCCs have largely remained unchanged over the past decade, adopted Resolution 5.1/1 (CCl-17) deciding to revisit these functions, products and criteria, and propose suitable updates and revisions.

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1 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcasp/meetings/parcof/parcof-canada2018.html 2 Please follow this link

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Background Information supporting Draft Recommendation 9/1 (EC-70), Key directions for the Polar and High-Mountain Agenda for the Next WMO Financial Period (2020-2023)The following priority activities are proposed for WMO Polar and High-Mountain Activities as part of the draft Strategic Plan 2020-2023:1. Surface and Space Observations (contributing to Strategic Goals 2 and 3)EC-PHORS is tasked to oversee and guide the Polar Space Task Group (PSTG), which provides effective coordination across thirteen space agencies to facilitate acquisition and distribution of fundamental satellite datasets, and to support the development of specific derived products for cryospheric scientific research and applications. The Polar Space Task Group thus makes a strong contribution in particular to Goals 2 and 3 in Polar Regions and High-Mountain areas. Another task of EC-PHORS is to ensure that operational and research observing networks in Polar Regions (including the Antarctic Observing Network – AntON) are integrated within the framework of WIGOS and WIS and are enhanced to include cryosphere-related variables. PSTG is also tasked to facilitate the acquisition, exchange and archiving of observational data from Polar Regions in compliance with WIGOS requirements related to instruments, data exchange and the WMO Quality Management Framework to underpin the provision of services required for the Polar Regions. To achieve these goals, considering the harsh environment, the importance of new observation technologies is recognized. The AntON will be integrated in the future Regional Basic Observing Network (RBON) per WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) Technical Regulations. GCW surface observing network, including CryoNet and GCW Contributing Networks, will continue to evolve and benefit from appropriate best practices and data exchange format(s). EC-PHORS is also tasked to guide, in collaboration with the Commission for Hydrology, the further development of the Arctic Hydrological Cycle Observing System project. Observation and infrastructure in the polar regions is research-based to a large extent. The importance of partnering with other organizations is therefore recognized, with the need to create a sustainable observational framework in Polar and High-Mountain regions that includes both space- and surface-based observations in support of Earth Prediction. There will be the need to produce effort and technological advancement to fill observational gaps over the Arctic and Southern Oceans in relation to atmospheric as well as oceanic physical parameters. Better use of ship opportunities should also be promoted.

2. Polar Predictions and Services, including Climate Services (contributing to Strategic Goals 1 and 2)

Because of substantial changes happening in high latitude and high altitude, the Polar and High-Mountain regions play a critical role in the Earth System. In this context, there will be the need to build more continuity between weather and climate fields, and transition to earth system modelling, efforts will have to be made into coupling Atmosphere, Ice and Ocean models.EC-PHORS is tasked to develop and promote an integrated approach to understanding the global impact of changes in polar regions so that the required services may be provided to users and governments may be advised on aspects of adaptation. The polar regions, particularly the Arctic, will continue to experience significant warming and contribute significant freshwater into the oceans. The climate dimension of the Global Integrated Polar Prediction System (GIPPS) will contribute to our understanding and prediction of the rate of change of snow and ice (both land and sea) mass loss. GIPPS will enable the provision of advanced understanding and prediction of changes relating to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise. Good progress has been achieved in developing the PRCC Network in the Arctic, and a demonstration phase started. Efforts will be made to develop the concept of, and implement Antarctic PRCC Network and PRCOF for the Antarctic and Asia High-Mountain.

3. GCW Pre-Operational Phase (contributing to Strategic Goals 1, 2 and 4)

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EC-PHORS is tasked to oversee and guide the development and implementation of GCW in collaboration with technical commissions, regional associations and relevant WMO and international programmes, organizations, institutions and bodies. Once the GCW observing network is established, the development of the GCW as an end to end cross cutting activity will continue during its preoperational phase, in the 18th financial period with the aim of having Members benefit from an operational GCW from 2024, onward. In particular, how GCW contributes to the WMO integrated framework for observations – WIGOS.

4. High-Mountain Activities (contributing to Strategic Goals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)The following principles should be guiding the scope of WMO High-Mountain activities:

(a) Recognition that WMO contributes across the user-driven observations-research-services value chain, but that this is just part of an overall High-Mountain value chain, with multiple users and stakeholders, contributing to Earth system Prediction and extending into a wide range of user domains where changes are happening (ecosystems; hydrology; cryosphere, weather and climate …) and impacting society (e.g. availability of water resources and related risk management, disaster resilience, agriculture, tourism, adaptation to climate change). Representatives of all parts of the overall value chain need to be part of developing the overall High-Mountain strategy. For example, models need to be downscaled from global level to regional. At the same time, emphasis on water resources will take shape and be a major driver for the High-Mountain activities.

(b) High-Mountain influences and impacts extend across many boundaries – catchments, within and between countries, institutional responsibilities, etc. The complexities and relationships in High-Mountain are even more complex than in Polar Regions, and the cross boundary relationships are even trickier.

(c) Risk and vulnerability assessments must form the basis for strategy design, from short-term disaster resilience perspective (e.g. flood burst) through to water security and climate impacts.

(d) High-Mountain activities need to be aligned with the draft WMO Strategic Plan 2020-2023, across all 5 Strategic Goals. With regard to Goal 1, WMO through EC-PHORS will have to identify users, engage with them and analyse their needs. An in-depth understanding of the respective local/national institutional frameworks (responsibilities, expertise, competition etc.) will be crucial. With regard to Goal 2, we’ll need a more targeted research and monitoring, with an end-to-end perspective, cascade user needs down to data and monitoring requirements, and complement/enhance monitoring, modelling and prediction accordingly. With regard to Goal 3, we’ll need integrated approaches, including consideration of social sciences. With regard to Goal 4, we’ll have to strengthen capacities along the value chain: from monitoring to (economic) use and decision making.

A good way forward is to develop a small number of feasible pilot studies where WMO can add value. Such studies will be proposed by EC-PHORS.In order to help frame the WMO’s agenda for High-Mountain regions in the next financial period 2020-2023, the WMO should organize a Global High-Mountain Summit at end of 2018/early 2019, and seek the backing of wide stakeholder community (hydrology, climate, disasters, end-users, within and external to WMO). The objective of the Summit will also be to develop for Cg-18 (May 2019) an integrated plan of action targeting the development and implementation of forecasting and prediction operational services for global high mountain regions where cryosphere is present, with the goal of more effectively informing decisions on adaptation to changes in the environment (e.g. water resources, hazards and warnings, disaster risks management, etc.). WMO’s role in the Summit will have to be appropriately positioned, to complement other related initiatives, and highlight areas where WMO is strong, such as monitoring, modelling capability, and how to facilitate and coordinate data sharing, including with external partners. Bringing social scientists to the Summit will be critical to its success. The Summit will also allow presenting a plan to Cg-18, with 4 years of designated and valuated pilot studies, using the YOPP project-model as a reference, and leading to a more

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comprehensive strategy at the following Congress. The Summit would also be an opportunity to contribute to pursuing the declaration of 2020 as the UN Year of Snow and Ice, the Cryosphere, Climate and Water in a Warming World conference, Iceland (2020), the pan-Third Pole Environment initiatives, etc.

5. Transition from Research to Operations and Services (contributing to Strategic Goals 2, 3 and 5)

There will be the need to accelerate the transition from research to operation and services, through two-way interactions along the weather/climate enterprise value chain and a co-design of processes by developers and users. The strong engagement and interaction with stakeholders and partners in the context of Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP) is well aligned with these identified needs. With regard to improvements in forecast capabilities, progress is needed toward a more seamless approach, comprising all compartments of the Earth. This needs to be complemented by the exploitation of new observations and their benefit for predictions. For example, low to high latitude connections need to be better understood and there are some critical gaps to be addressed. All this will be ensured through:

(a) the formal engagement of operational WMO activities and initiatives into the consolidation phase of YOPP;

(b) the maintenance of YOPP observational and modeling data for a long period in order to be widely used for improving operational models and downstream services;

(c) a third Northern Hemisphere (NH) Special Observation Period (SOP3) to support MOSAiC during NH winter 2019 / 2020 with timing same as SOP1 (February / March 2020).

WMO will also have to engage with the ocean community, and look at connections between cryosphere and the ocean to consolidate the science base for mitigation and adaptation to changes. The Decade on Ocean Sciences will be an opportunity for WMO to bring its requirements for Polar Regions in the picture, and make progress on accessing more data, filling the observational gaps, and delivering better services to society in Polar Regions. A planning team for the Decade of Ocean Science is being set up, and cryosphere should be represented there. Finally, efforts with regard to transition from research to operation and services should be harmonized with the development of the implementation plan of the Global Data and Processing Forecasting System.

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6. Resources and Partnership (contributing to Strategic Goals 2, 3 and 5)There will be the need to agree on how to further integrate WMO activities with other international initiatives (Arctic Council and its Working Groups, Antarctic Treaty and its Committee for Environmental Protection, Future Earth etc.) in order to co-design a big picture attracting stakeholders and donors. In particular, while WMO has been accepted as Observer in the Arctic Council, there will be the need for WMO to enhance its engagement with the Arctic Council Working Groups3. A process should be developed to ensure that the Arctic Council is aware of the state of understanding in the Arctic, and of services WMO can offer in support of identified socio economic areas. The goal will be for WMO to report this process annually as part of its global annual reporting currently given to UNFCCC. The form would take a separate chapter on Arctic, Antarctic and High-Mountains. WMO efforts in this regard will also help leveraging resources at partner organizations. Finally, an upcoming 10 year science campaign on Earth System Modelling and Seamless Prediction will require High-Mountain and Polar regions to feature prominently. Efforts need to be made to link the governance systems together and encourage engagement with early career polar scientists, for example through the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS4).

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ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION RELATED TO

WMO POLAR AND HIGH MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES

Polar Prediction Project (PPP) and Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP)

A major highlight of YOPP was the official launch on 15 May 2017. The activities of YOPP receive additional support through supplementary measurements, funded through collaboration with the European Meteorological Services Network (EUMETNET) and the Russian Federation Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI). Tools have been developed and launched to monitor YOPP activities: the “YOPP Explorer” provides an interactive overview of YOPP-endorsed projects, and a Google Earth layer allows users to track observational activities during the Special Observing Periods (SOPs). Recent documentations comprise a publication on the “Verification of Environmental Prediction in Polar Regions: Recommendations for the Year of Polar Prediction” by Casati et al., as well as the finalisation of the “YOPP Modelling Plan – version 1”, which outlines the planned activities and defines the experimental settings and common model output. A strong engagement of the user community and close collaborations with the WWRP Working Group on Socio-Economic Research Applications (SERA) are reflected in the finalization of a document on “Navigating Weather, Water, Ice and Climate Information for Safe Polar Mobilities” and an upcoming workshop on Weather and Society. More information can be found on the PPP webpage (http://www.polarprediction.net/). Other activities with relevance for PPP and YOPP were the 17th Session of WMO’s Commission for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS), preceded by its Technical Conference, held as Science Summit. The meetings took place in Geneva from 20-24 October 2017. CAS is overseeing the activities of the World Weather Research Programme (WWRP) and thus PPP and YOPP. From 25-26 October, the WWRP Scientific Steering Committee held their annual meeting to review the progress of the programme’s activities, including PPP/YOPP.The Science Summit discussed five key topics that were aligned with the Documents of CAS-17: Science for Services, Seamless Prediction in 2023, Future Infrastructures, Nurturing Scientific Talents, and Innovation and Resources. More information about the Science Summit can be found at: http://meetings.wmo.int/CAS-17/SitePages/Science%20Summit.aspx.3 The Arctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP), the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme

(AMAP), the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), the Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR), the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME), and the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG)

4 https://www.apecs.is/

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Some aspects that were highlighted in the discussions during the Science Summit and CAS-17 are the need to accelerate the transition from research to operation and services, through two-way interactions along the weather enterprise value chain and a co-design of processes by developers and users. The strong engagement and interaction with stakeholders and partners in the context of YOPP is well aligned with these identified needs. With regard to improvements in forecast capabilities, it was emphasized that progress is needed toward a more seamless approach comprising all compartments of the Earth. This needs to be complemented by the exploitation of new observations and their benefit for predictions. Both of these aspects are also reflected in the activities of YOPP.

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WMO Engagement with the Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle Assembly is designed to increase participation in Arctic dialogue and strengthen the international focus on the future of the Arctic. Participation is around 2-3000 and includes a mixture of scientific, political and industry representatives.WMO hosted a 45 minute plenary session during the first day of the Arctic Circle meeting (www.arcticcircle.org) held on 13-15 October 2017 in Reykjavik, Iceland, in partnership with other key organisations. The session was organized by Mike Sparrow (WCRP) and Paolo Ruti (WWRP) with the assistance of several WMO colleagues. Clare Nullis (WMO media) attended the meeting and was responsible for the outreach, social media etc.The WMO session was moderated by David Eades of the BBC and included a video message from HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and the following high-level participants:(a) Petteri Taalas Secretary General WMO;(b) Kelly Falkner, Director, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation (NSF);(c) Larry Hinzman, Vice-President International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) (replaced by

Allen Pope, IASC Executive Secretary due to a flight delay);(d) Marianne Kroglund, Chair of the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment

Programme (AMAP); and(e) Andrea Tilche, Head of Climate Action and Earth Observation Unit at the European

Commission.The session was made available on Facebook Live (4.3k views and potential reach of 388,000), was recorded and will be made available via WMO media pages.Note that WMO were also involved in several other breakout sessions during the meeting including “Scales of observations – connecting arctic data, information and people” and “The quiet revolution: sensing the arctic with autonomous underwater vehicles”.Several side meetings were also held with e.g. the European Commission (on e.g. the next Arctic Science Ministerial); representatives on the Arctic Council Working Groups (WGs) such as the WG on Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF): and to discuss WMO input to the Polar2018 meeting in Davos (June 2018 www.polar2018.org)Organising and running the plenary session was a major task for the WMO staff concerned, but provided an excellent opportunity to highlight the important role of WMO in the Arctic region to a host of different communities, from political leaders, scientists and the private sector. It was felt that in the future WMO could consider another plenary, perhaps in 2-3 years. Discussions held with representatives of the Arctic Council WGs suggest that a plenary session held jointly with the Arctic Council would be an interesting proposition.

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WMO engagement with the Arctic Council and its Working Groups

The Arctic Council (http://arctic-council.org) is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the eight Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on sustainable development and environmental protection. As WMO only became an Observer to the Arctic Council in 2017, WMO engaged strongly (see here and here) with, Efforts to also engage with the six Arctic Council Working Groups (WGs), are still developing. To ensure that WMO doesn’t miss important opportunities to engage with the different WGs WMO points of contact are being established:

WMO Contact Point

Group WMO Contact PointArctic Contaminants Action Program (ACAP) Oksana Tarasova (GAW)

Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)

Etienne Charpentier (OBS)Alternate: Toshi Kurino (OBS)

Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Mike Sparrow (WCRP)

Emergency Prevention, Preparedness and Response (EPPR)

Xu Tang (WDS, pending nomination of another contact point)

Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) Sarah Grimes (WDS)

Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) Amir H. Delju (CLW)

Under Finland’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council, meteorological cooperation is being promoted as one of the four priority areas of the Arctic Council. The Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials (SAO) meeting took place in Levi during the same week as EC-PHORS-8 from 22 to 23 March 2018. WMO President, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General attended the SAO meeting and discussed ways, in which NMHSs and WMO activities and WMO expertise can feed into the work of the Arctic Council. Finland also organized an Arctic Meteorology Summit on 20 March 2018 in Levi, which gave opportunity to demonstrate the role of meteorology and WMO to invited participants, including invited Senior Arctic Officials.The Arctic Council needs and priorities were discussed by the Chairs of the Arctic Council Working Groups, which welcomed WMO’s contribution. The following issues were addressed in these discussions for building the bridge between needs and capacity:

(a) The need to provide a framework for observations, including on how to better integrated satellite and in situ data. Space and remote sensing observations are needed and should be better used. The Polar Space Task Group (PSTG) should play a critical role in the future in this regard. Also, while observation and infrastructure in the Polar Regions are research-based, we need to assess and advocate what needs to be sustained in the Arctic region. WMO can play a useful role, foster cooperation, and influence how Sustained Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) can evolve. As we move to earth system modelling, we’ll need more than just meteorological observations. Integrated observing in the Arctic needs to be articulated; and we can reflect on this in the draft WMO Strategic Plan 2020-2023. For example, low to high latitude connections need to be better understood, and there are some critical gaps to be addressed.

(b) The need to provide a modelling framework for Arctic region, where Earth system modelling, and the coupling between ocean, ice and atmosphere is key. Discussions need to take place on how the models should be designed.

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(c) Climate resilience and how WMO can engage in that process. WMO can help providing a science base for mitigation and adaptation to changes in the Arctic region.

(d) Hydrology and water resources while specific challenges are being faced in the Arctic in this regard (e.g. how climate change is going to impact availability of clean and safe water).

(e) The oceans, and understanding changes in the oceans. There is strong ocean focus coming up in the Arctic Council, and we need to explain how WMO links to the ocean community and ocean services. WMO will have to enhance its engagement with the ocean community, and look at connections between cryosphere and the ocean. While the Decade on Ocean Sciences is being planned under IOC leadership, a planning team is being set up, and the cryosphere should be represented there. WMO can act as a proxy for IOC to have ocean aspects considered by the Arctic Council. EC-PHORS can help develop guidance to WMO Members on how to open up access to data. In parallel, the Arctic Council can help making the case for showing how data, including from partners, can be useful. For example, we can be improving Argo profiling float coverage (and ice tethered platforms) in the Arctic (SOCCOM programme is being used to introduce other types of measurements than temperature and salinity in the Southern Ocean; WCRP is also promoting a Northern Ocean Observing Panel)

While WMO is engaging with the Arctic Council and its Working Groups, the following issues need to be addressed:

(a) There are expectations on what can be gained, in particular with regard to closing knowledge, information, and services gaps in support of the Arctic Council objectives. WMO collaboration with other organizations will allow stronger contribution.

(b) Policy matters need to be addressed. For example, the Arctic Council has been discussing how to frame collaborative arrangements on Search and Rescue.

(c) Permanent Members and representatives of indigenous people made interventions (Inuit, etc.), and expressed strong support for meteorological cooperation and enhanced relationship with the meteorological community and WMO. Needs for engagement were expressed. Challenges for indigenous people include climate resilience (e.g. experiencing natural phenomenon beyond the normal with high winds, sea-ice, etc.), and access to services and products. WMO will have to engage with them to better understand their needs, and assist Members develop capacities in support of such needs.

(d) Directions must be given by WMO at the national and regional level.

(e) Agreement characterizing the interface between the Arctic Council and WMO should be developed.

Preliminary engagement with the Working Groups includes:1. Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP)The thirty-first meeting of the AMAP Working Group took place in Reykjavik, Iceland from 12 to 14 September 2017. A written report was submitted by WMO to the meeting, and Etienne Charpentier (WMO Secretariat) gave a presentation by teleconference where WMO contribution to the AMAP workplan 2017-2029 was outlined. In particular, on addressing climate issues, WMO noted with appreciation the planned contribution of AMAP to the planned IPCC special reports and to disseminate the results of the 2017 Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA) assessment widely and effectively to multiple target groups. In this regard, WMO is committed to a positive, mutually beneficial engagement with AMAP in support of AMAP’s essential work to update information on the implications of climate change for Arctic physical environments and ecosystems. WMO will be providing support in terms of Arctic weather and climate observation, services and research. With regard to AMAP Strategy and implementation, WMO is also noting with interest the main activities and interim milestones for the preparation of an updated AMAP strategic framework document, including consideration of how to better

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incorporate traditional and local knowledge in AMAP work. WMO is contributing to SAON, and in particular to its CON (Observations and Networks) and ADC (Arctic Data) Committees of SAON. With regard to Scientific/technical background reports produced by AMAP, WMO noted with particular interest the “SWIPA 2017: Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic, Summary for Policy Makers”, to which WCRP contributed. Authors of the SWIPA report identified areas where addressing data gaps and improving the understanding would aid efforts to characterize changes underway and to project changes in the future. WMO can play a role in this regard and contribute to addressing the recommendations of the report through specific activities, including the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), the WMO Polar Space Task Group (PSTG), the Global Integrated Polar Prediction System (GIPPS), the Year of Polar Prediction (YOPP), the WCRP Climate and Cryosphere Project (CliC), the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), the Arctic Hydrological Cycle Observing System (Arctic HYCOS), the Global Framework for Climate Services, the WCRP and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) Polar Challenge (with many other co-sponsors), and the planned Arctic-Polar Regional Climate Centre–Network (PRCC-Network).WCRP’s CliC Core Project has a history of working with AMAP, for example on the report on The Arctic Freshwater System in a Changing Climate(http://www.amap.no/documents/doc/snow-water-ice-and-permafrost.-summary-for-policy-makers/1532).2. Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME)WMO has already engaged with PAME by providing solicited input to its Arctic Shipping best Practices Information Forum, which was established in response to the newly adopted International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). For example several Secretariat staff provided information for the draft information website (https://pame.is/index.php/projects/arctic-marine-shipping/the-arctic-shipping-best-practices-information-forum) as well as providing an information paper to inform the discussions.

The Secretary General gave a keynote talk at the "International Conference on Harmonized implementation of the Polar Code - Experiences after one year's Enforcement" on 22 February 2018 in Helsinki.3. Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF)A brief meeting was held between P Ruti, M sparrow and the Executive Director of the CAFF WG in the margins of the Arctic Circle meeting to discuss possible areas of mutual interest (e.g. on how the physical system in the Arctic can influence ecosystem dynamics).

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WMO Engagement with the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM)

Outcomes from the fortieth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), and the twentieth meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP), in Beijing, China from 22 May to 1 June 2017 were provided in the June 2017 report to EC-PHORS members. The Mission report of Etienne Charpentier and Mike Sparrow who participated at the meetings on behalf of WMO was provided to EC-PHORS members in that communication.

Since then, internal consultation were made within WMO to allow:(a) Exploring with the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) the

possibility of using tourist vessels and their land based facilities for taking additional measurements

(b) Discussing within WMO what integrated support and services the WMO is or should be providing to those operating in the Antarctic Region (Aeronautical Meteorology, Marine Services and Search and Rescue operations), and what efforts we could make to enhance such services.

(c) Exploring synergies between input to the Antarctic Treaty and the Arctic Council from WMO (e.g. preparation of papers that are bipolar).

(d) Input was provided to intersessional discussions on the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty’s Climate Change Response Work Programme and with regards to Actions from previous Antarctic Treaty meetings regarding WMO.

Because of issues with regards to the original hosting country having to pull out of arranging the forty-first ATCM, the 2018 meeting will be a smaller affair than normal and hosted entirely in plenary. The meeting will be held in Buenos Aires from 13 to 19 May. All Parties, Observers and Experts have been asked to reduce the size of their delegations and to minimise the number of papers they submit. The following papers were to this meeting:(a) WMO Annual Report (to include short updates on GCW, AntON, PRCCs);(b) Update on the Year of Polar Prediction; and(c) A joint WMO-SCAR Fellowship scheme.

The following (potential) papers will be held over to 2019:(a) Mapping WMO and WCRP’s activities to the CEP’s Climate Change Response Work

Programme;(b) Improvements to Meteorological and Weather Services for Aviation in Antarctica;(c) Black Carbon in Antarctica (TBC);(d) The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project in the Antarctic Region;(e) The SCAR/WMO Fellowship scheme (TBC);(f) An Update on GCW;(g) AntON: An Update; and(h) Progress with the PRCCs, with a focus on the planned Antarctic RCC.

Since the meeting will be entirely in plenary with a reduced agenda WMO will send only one Delegate (likely M Sparrow) this year.

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ANNEX 1

WMO HIGH MOUNTAIN SUMMITDeveloping end-to-end high mountain cryosphere services:

Strengthened inter-agency collaboration for sustainable mountain development

(draft concept)

Motivation5

WMO High Mountain Activities

The UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/71/234 (Dec 2016) on Sustained Mountain Development has recognized “that mountains provide sensitive indications of climate change through phenomena such as modifications to biological diversity, the retreat of mountain glaciers, flash floods and changes in seasonal runoff, which are having an impact on major sources of freshwater in the world, and stresses the need to undertake actions to minimize the negative effects of these phenomena, promote adaptation measures and prevent the loss of biological diversity.” As a result, the Resolution “Encourages all relevant entities of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates, to further enhance their constructive efforts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to promote sustainable mountain development.” See Figure 1.

The challenges facing the mountain regions are reflected in the 2030 Agenda endorsed in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, which established the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs), in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, and in the Paris Agreement that entered into force in 2016.

Figure 3 Schematic view of mountain system and processes, Huss et al, Toward mountains without permanent snow and ice, Volume: 5, Issue: 5, Pages: 418-435, First published: 24 April 2017, DOI: (10.1002/2016EF000514)

5 With references from the “Mountains and Climate Change – A Global Concern, 2014, ISBN 978-3-905835-38-0

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Recognizing the changing landscape, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is working with its Members and its partners, to address the evolving needs6. (Decision 68, EC-69). WMO recognizes the need for a clear shift in planning projects and programmes for sustainable services delivered by its Members. WMO plans to assume a lead role in supporting its Members on translating into sustainable services the scientific understanding and the societal recognition of the importance of mountain cryosphere (glaciers, snow, permafrost), its cascading effects on downstream water supplies, its climate impacts, the related natural hazards and risks, the impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity and on food production, as well as, the emerging of opportunities for economic developments, e.g. resource exploration, energy production.

As a first step, WMO will organize a WMO High Mountain Summit, as an inclusive and participative scoping process with relevant stakeholders, with an end-to-end perspective (monitoring, research, and services), addressing the need to enhance hydro-meteorological and climatological services, and promoting sustainable mountain development through inter-agency collaboration.

The Theme of the Summit will be “The coupled physical, chemical, biological and social systems in the high mountain regions, globally: impacts, feedbacks, and adaptation strategies”.

Through this process, WMO will facilitate the development of integrated plans for a comprehensive end-to-end cryosphere-related service framework, for Members in high mountain areas, by bringing together actors along the full value chain, and supporting decision making. It’s important to note that in remote areas, the threats from mountain hazards are exacerbated by existing conditions of poverty, insufficient infrastructure, and poor resources. The Summit will build on current initiatives of WMO, of other organizations and partners, promoting quality observations and data access (e.g. cross-boundary monitoring and data sharing between national organizations, and between countries), transdisciplinary research, and improved services (early warning systems, climate services, etc.) , for mountain areas, e.g.

High Mountain Summit Expected Outcomes

The High Mountain Summit will pursue the following actions:

(a) Mobilize public and private sector leaders to leverage governance and funding mechanisms;

(b) Develop a user driven matrix of engagement and action for integrated weather, climate, and water service functions, for downstream economic sectors and ecosystems;

(c) Link into, complement, and enhance existing climate-cryosphere-hydrological monitoring (in-situ and space) and services, as currently maintained by national agencies;

(d) Map user needs and the current gaps in observations, scientific knowledge, and services; (e) Identify barriers and enabling factors for upscaling the end-to-end cryosphere services;(f) Leverage the knowledge and expertise of stakeholders, globally, and coordinate efforts;(g) Include a targeted capacity building program along the value chain.

6 Decision 48 (EC-69) decided that high mountain regions shall be defined as “mountain areas where seasonal or perennial cryosphere is present and poses potential and serious risks to society related to water scarcity and disaster resilience”.

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The Summit will provide:

(a) A high-level statement to stress the importance of inter-agency collaboration on hydro-meteorological and climatological services in high mountain regions, and express support for relevant initiatives for addressing the targets of the 2030 Agenda;

(b) A mechanism for inter-agency engagement, to increase the efficiency of funded initiatives, drive innovation on hydro-meteorological services, and capitalize on WMO’s strengths;

(c) Will launch short-term demonstration project(s) and long-term plans for high mountain observations, research and services, targeting 2-3 regions and focus areas;

The Summit will be organized over three days:

(a) Day 1 and Day 2 will focus on setting the state, focusing on user needs and impacts, regarding services, research, observations, and governance;

(b) Day 3 will focus on high level engagement, promoting long term support from governments for addressing emerging needs. It should adopt a Mountain Summit Declaration.

The Summit will examine feasible governance models and the role of WMO, for ensuring the sustainability of these initiatives and the engagement of critical players.

Summit Themes

As cryosphere is a determining factor for mountain ecosystems, sustained end-to-end services need to reflect the increasing understanding of the interaction atmosphere-cryosphere- hydrosphere, as key components of the Earth System. Enhanced service capabilities will equip WMO Members for meeting targets established under the UN 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, e.g. Goal 13, Climate Action7, and the goals regarding water resource management, and the four priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

(a) High Mountain integrated observations and data sharing policies and mechanisms; This session will focus on the requirements for innovation in, optimization of, and integration of in-situ and space observations and the access to multiple sources of data in support effective services. It will address standardization and quality management, data gaps, capacity building requirements.

(b) Cryosphere and High Mountain Regions Research priorities and partnerships for improving weather, climate, and water modeling and prediction in high mountain regions; This session will examine current gaps, and the need for further understanding, diagnosing and predicting change in high mountain regions, understanding teleconnections, and developing new scientific tools for decision support systems.

(c) Impacts, User Needs and Service Delivery, on (1) high mountain weather services and disaster risk reduction, (2) climate and environmental changes in high mountain regions, (3) critical impact of climate and cryosphere changes on the water cycles and adaptation strategies for sustainable development; This session will focus on the service delivery chain, reaching the targeted users, the timely delivery of services and actionable information, and feedback mechanisms. It will discuss

7 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries; Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning;

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user requirements, sustainable services delivery, long term strategies and funding, including cost recovery, and stakeholder communication, engagement (e.g. communicating uncertainty) and governance. It will identify needs for new policy and new integrated services, with national, regional, and global perspectives, and factoring in socio-economic aspects. It will identify, discuss, and showcase existing and functioning value chains (or parts thereof) that can be taken as examples for developments in other regions, and identifying barriers and enabling factors for an end-to-end approach, including governance.

In terms of scientific advances, the Summit will provide a roadmap for a transdisciplinary framework for advancing and using new scientific knowledge on the mountain water cycle and its variability and extremes, advancing the understanding of teleconnections between high and mid latitudes, and further developing environmental prediction capabilities of the integrated water cycle. These will advance the understanding of the water-atmosphere-cryosphere interaction and its influence on weather and climate systems, at multiple scales.

Participants:

The summit will engage relevant stakeholders at a national, regional, and international level. Some 150 – 250 participants, from a broad range of stakeholders, are expected to attend:

(a) Decision-makers from governments/governmental agencies (b) National meteorological and hydrological services (c) Environmental Agencies, Disaster and Emergency Management Agencies, Avalanche

Forecasting, Transportation, Hydro power companies, etc.(d) Funding agencies (World Bank, USAID, Green Climate Fund, etc.)(e) UN agencies, e.g. UNESCO, FAO, UNDP(f) Other Organizations, e.g. ECMWF, World Economic Forum(g) Research and Academia , IUGG (IACS, IAHS), WCRP/GEWEX(h) Private sector, including insurance and Re-Insurance groups;(i) Journalists/Social media operators. (j) Presidents of Regional Associations

Current baseline of High Mountain Cryosphere service functions

Only 2.5% of the total global water is freshwater, and two thirds of it is stored in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow.8 Over 40% of global goods and services, including food, hydropower, biodiversity, minerals, recreation, flood protection, are generated or linked to mountain regions. Many mountain areas are located in developing countries, where people are among the world’s poorest, and many are food-insecure. Climate change is projected to further affect the availability of water resources in and beyond mountain areas, affecting agriculture, urbanization, industrialization, the production of hydropower, and increasing the risk of extreme events, causing loss of life and property (Figure 2).

8 Source: Gleick, P. H., 1996: Water resources. In Encyclopaedia of Climate and Weather, ed. by S. H. Schneider, Oxford University Press, New York, vol. 2, pp.817-823

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Figure 4 - Huss et al, Toward mountains without permanent snow and ice, Volume: 5, Issue: 5, Pages: 418-435, First published: 24 April 2017, DOI: (10.1002/2016EF000514)

While key to the overall climate system, accounting for mountain regions’ complex climatic processes has remained a challenge:

(a) The monitoring of snow, glaciers, and permafrost, is sparse and uncoordinated, and the access to data is extremely limited. Furthermore, capacities are lacking for putting the information collected into value, and, thus, embedding it in a broader societal context.

(b) Important investments are being made, internationally; most have limited coordination and time horizon, and do not require continuity and sustainability of observing, data infrastructure, or services, leading to fragmentation and inability to sustain services.

(c) The current knowledge about changes in cryosphere and their impacts, and the available services are not compatible with the socio-economic importance of these regions. In the ‘value chain’, critical elements are still missing, or are under-developed.

(d) Governance: At national and local levels, stakeholders from affected economic sectors, are not adequately engaged, have unclear or competing responsibilities, which are hampering their ability to develop and disseminate effective hydro-meteorological, disaster and risk management, and climate adaptation services.

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