The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation on climate-resilient water management, disaster risk reduction and early warning systems.
The agreement establishes a long-term framework that brings together WMO’s global leadership in weather, climate and hydrological services with IWMI’s applied research and on-the-ground water management expertise. The partnership reflects growing recognition of the need to better integrate climate and water disciplines as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
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Aligning climate and water data
A central focus of the MoU is improved integration of climate and water data to support early warning and anticipatory action. By combining meteorological, hydrological and socio-economic information, the organisations aim to strengthen decision-making before floods, droughts and water scarcity escalate into crises.
The collaboration also prioritises the use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance forecasting, risk assessment and water management tools across different scales.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the agreement supports global preparedness efforts.
“With increasing extreme weather, water and climate-related events worldwide, the collaboration with IWMI is important to help countries be more prepared, especially through advancing the Early Warnings for All initiative,” Saulo said.
Strengthening preparedness and governance
IWMI Director General Mark Smith said the partnership will focus on practical outcomes for countries facing growing climate risks.
“Through this MoU, IWMI will work closely with WMO to strengthen preparedness for floods, droughts and water scarcity by leveraging early warning systems, innovative technologies, tools and applied research,” Smith said.
Joint activities will support National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, water resource agencies, and agriculture and irrigation authorities to improve drought and flood preparedness. The partnership places particular emphasis on Asia and Africa, where climate variability and water insecurity present significant challenges.
Capacity building and global initiatives
Beyond technical integration, the MoU includes commitments to capacity building, knowledge exchange and the development of joint projects aligned with major global frameworks. These include Early Warnings for All, the Associated Programme on Flood Management, the Integrated Drought Management Programme and HydroSOS.
The collaboration is intended to strengthen climate-resilient water governance by embedding socio-economic research into weather and climate services, ensuring that early warnings and water management tools are relevant to local contexts and decision-makers.
From agreement to implementation
WMO and IWMI will now develop a detailed implementation plan to guide activities at national, regional and local levels. The plan is intended to ensure that collaboration translates into practical, tailored and sustainable tools that improve water and climate decision-making across diverse regions.