Drought is widely recognized as a slow creeping natural hazard that occurs as a consequence of the natural climatic variability. In recent years, concern has grown world-wide that droughts may be increasing in frequency and severity given the changing climatic conditions. Responses to droughts in most parts of the world are generally reactive in terms of crisis management and are known to be untimely, poorly coordinated and disintegrated. Consequently, the economic, social and environmental impacts of droughts have increased significantly worldwide. Because of their long-term socio-economic impacts, droughts are by far the most damaging of all natural disasters.
National Drought Policy
To address the issue of national drought policy, WMO Congress at its Sixteenth Session in Geneva in 2011 recommended the organization of a “High-level Meeting on National Drought Policy (HMNDP).” WMO, the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with a number of Partners, such as UN agencies, international and regional organizations and key national agencies of which Global Water Partnership is one, is organising the meeting 11-15 March 2013 in Geneva.
GWP Participation
The participation of the GWP delegation include:
- Launch of the GWP-WMO Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP)
- A presentation of the GWP Central and Eastern Europe drought programme in the scientific segment
- GWP Executive Secretary Dr Ania Grobicki as one of the speakers at the High Level Segment
Addressing key drought issues
The meeting which will provide practical insight into useful, science-based actions to address the key drought issues considered by governments and the private sector under the UNCCD and the various strategies to cope with drought. National governments must adopt policies for cooperation and coordination at all levels of government in order to increase their capacity to cope with extended periods of water scarcity in the event of a drought. The ultimate goal is to create more drought resilient societies.
All participants interested in participating in the HMNDP event are encouraged to complete the online registration as soon as possible. Registration and more information.