WMO

Blue Peace - WaterSecurity in the Middle East:

Strategic Management of Hydrological and Meteorological

Data and Information Product Generation

Al-Hamndou Dorsouma,Senior Programme Manager,

WMO Resource Mobilization Office

Project Inception Workshop, Geneva, 24-25 January 2013

WMO; RMO

Background Middle East is one of the driest regions in the world:

arid to semi-arid climate, less than 100 mm of rainfall p.a. Limited water resources, low per capita share of water,

and weak management of available water resources are threatening sustainable development in vital sectors.

IPCC reports: 20% precipitation decrease over the next century Likely increase in the frequency and severity of

droughts Reduction in groundwater recharge rates.

Over 60% of the region's water supply flows across international borders, underlining the need for regional cooperation

A High Level Group on regional water cooperation in the Middle East was launched in April 2012

WMO

Problems to be addressed Data Management Issues:

High cost of in-situ data collection and analysis

Lack of data management systems and standardized methods/protocols for data collection, management and validation across the region

Limited use of reliable local and regional water information systems

Leveraging Innovation Declining hydro-meteorological monitoring network

Limited use of remote sensing techniques to monitor hydrological extremes (floods and droughts), water quality, and to support hydrological models.

Need for improved frameworks to assimilate or integrate remote sensing data into hydrological modeling systems

Problems to be addressed (Cont’d)

Traditional In-situ Methods of Observation and New Technologies

Need for sufficient in-situ measurements against which remote sensing algorithms can be validated and improved

Need for continued education and training on new data sources, such as satellite remote sensing and radar, …

Need to balance traditional in-situ hydro-meteorological systems and latest technical innovations from remote sensing and Earth observations

Project Goal

Strengthen the delivery of weather, water, and climate services in Middle East countries, to support economic development and disaster risk management

Help key national stakeholders to develop an action plan to improve hydro meteorological standards, processes and capacities, both in-situ and through innovative technologies

Specific objectives Develop a methodology for comparative analysis and

harmonization of national protocols, guidelines and practical measures to standardize hydro-meteorological measurements of water quantity and quality in accordance with WMO standards

Develop a regional Memorandum of Understanding between NMHSs to reinforce the interoperability of information systems, and establish a platform/database for consolidation and sharing of water related data

Recommend a prioritized plan of improvement of data delivery to national users, to be financed under subsequent phases together with countries and development partners.

Project Outputs Outputs of the First Phase (2012-2013):

OUTPUT 1: Needs Assessment on Jordan and Lebanon, to form a baseline, identify end user needs and regional coordination issues

OUTPUT 2: Inception meeting

OUTPUT 3: Draft prioritized plan of improvement of data delivery to national users.

OUTPUT 4: Regional Stakeholder Workshop to agree on the prioritized plan.

OUTPUT 5: Initiate priority pilot project (s) based on the needs assessments, included in the prioritized plan and as agreed at the regional workshop.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Assessment report on Lebanon

Deliverable 2: Assessment report on Jordan

Deliverable 3: Draft project proposal on enhancing the capacity to provide hydro meteorological services

Deliverable 4: Regional Agreement on regional information systems, and regional platform/database

Deliverable 5: Final Report outlining main priorities for developing modern services for weather, climate and hydrology in the Middle East

Programme of activities

ACTIVITIES 2012 2013 Phase I Qtr 4 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3-

4 Activity 1: First fact-finding mission Jordan (Nov)

Activity 2: First fact-finding mission Lebanon (Nov)

Activity 3: Inception meeting hosted by the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan (mid – Nov)

Activity 4: Proposal development mission Jordan

Activity 5: Proposal development mission Lebanon

Activity 6: Regional workshop Activity 7: Final Reports and Development Plans

Phase II

Project management

Steering Committee and Technical Coordination:

High Level Group will act as a steering committee

Regional technical Secretariat under RSS will coordinate the pilot projects to be designed

WMO will be responsible for Outputs 1, 2 and 3

RSS will be responsible for Outputs 2 and 4

Responsibilities for Output 5 will be defined at the Stakeholder Workshop, depending on the nature and scope of the selected pilot project(s)

Swiss Actors

Partnerships/coordination Global Environment Facility (GEF) / World Bank project

recently approved (mid-2011) to improve water resources and agricultural management and planning in Middle East (including Lebanon and Jordan) based on quantitative and spatial-based decision making tools

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR): collaboration on shared water resources and integrated management and protection of water resources

EXACT (with Israel, Palestine, Jordan): technical cooperation through global agencies such as WMO to ensure consistency and compatibility for procedures and standards.

Project Budget

Output Budget

Output 1 49,000

Output 2 35,000

Output 3 53,000

Output 4 50,000

Contingency (5%) 9,350

Total Activities 196,350

Subtotal 255,25.5

WMO Support cost 13% 25525.5

Total 221,875.5

Conclusion

This project will help develop a comprehensive regional approach to improve hydro meteorological standards, processes and capacities in the Middle East

Phase 1 is to be completed before the end 2013. Next step (Phase 2) depends on the outcomes from Phase 1 and pending resource availability

WMO is commited to work with countries, RSS, the Middle East region, SDC and other partners to ensure success of the project and plan for subsequent phases

Coordination and regional cooperation are key for the success of this initiative.

www.wmo.int

Thank you for your attention