Review of the Mandate, Structure and Modalitiesof Ec-Pors

EC-PORS-5, Doc.8.8(2), p. 1

REVIEW OF THE MANDATE, STRUCTURE AND MODALITIESOF EC-PORS

DRAFTING OF RESOLUTIONS FOR CG-17 AND EC-67 (2015)

Res. xx(Cg-XVII) - WMO POLAR and High Mountain ACTIVITIES

THE CONGRESS,

Noting:

(1)Resolution 55 (Cg-XVI) –Antarctic Observing Network,

(2)Resolution 56 (Cg-XVI) – Amendments to the Manual on the Global Observing System (WMO-No 544), Volume II, Regional Aspects – The Antarctic,

(3)Resolution 57 (Cg-XVI) – Global Integrated Polar Prediction System,

(4)Resolution 58 (Cg-XVI) – WMO Polar Activities,

(5)Resolution 59 (Cg-XVI) – International Polar Decade Initiative,

(6)Resolution 60 (Cg-XVI) – Global Cryosphere Watch,

(7)Resolution 17 (EC-LXIV) – Polar Prediction Project,

(8)Resolution xx (EC-LXVI) - Executive Council Panel of Experts on Polar Observations, Research and Services,

-or-

(8)Resolution 5 (EC-LXIII) - Executive Council Panel of Experts on Polar Observations, Research and Services,[JG1]

(9)The WMO Strategic Plan (2016-2019),

Considering:

(1)The growing demand for services based on sustained observations and researchin Polar and High mountain regions which prompted the Sixteenth Congress to promote the GlobalIntegrated Polar Prediction System (GIPPS)the GlobalCryosphere Watch (GCW),

(3) That there remain key gaps in scientific understanding of processes and interactions inhigh latitude and altitude regions, including, inter alia, boundary layer behaviour, polar clouds and precipitation, seaice/ocean dynamics, hydrology, permafrost and ice sheet dynamics, and their influence on the Earth system,

(4) That there is consensus about the amplification of climate change and variability in Polar and high mountain regionsyet these regions remain under-sampled domains of the Earth System,

(6) That successful implementation of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–2008 hasresulted in a legacy of enhanced polar observing systems and research on the polarenvironment[A[2],

(7) That arrangements ensuring the legacy of the IPY-enhanced observational networks arecross-cutting and should be closely coordinated with the implementation of the WMOIntegrated Global Observing System (WIGOS[A[3]), and designed to improve in a most efficientway the capability of Members to provide the widening range of operational services and tobetter serve research programme requirements,

[JG4]

(8) That there is a continuing need to coordinate WMO activities with other international organizations active in Polar Regions,

[A[5](12)That operational and research observing networks in Polar Regions (including the AntON) and the cryosphere in general (observing component of the Global Cryosphere Watch) should be integrated within the framework of WIGOS and the WMO Information System(WIS) and be enhanced to include cryosphere-related variables,

(15)The achievements of the Executive Council through its Panel of Experts on Polar Observations, Research and Services (PORS) in ensuring coordination of the operational activitieswith other international organizations active in the Polar and high mountain regions and in engaging WMO technical commissions, regional associations and in the work of the Panel,

Decides:

(1)That an integrated approach is needed to understand global impact of changes in polar and high mountain regions so that required services may be provided to users and that governments may be advised on aspects of adaptation and mitigation;

(2)That operational and research observing networks including the Antarctic Observing Network (AntON), observing component of the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) and other activities in Polar and high mountain regions,should be integrated within the framework of WIGOS and WIS;

(3)That concerted effort continue to be made to engage WMO Members, technical commissions and regional associations, as well as relevant research and international organizations and bodies, to improve services in high latitude and altitude regions by promoting observations and predictive capability on timescales from hours to centuries;

Invites Members, particularly those that have operational activities in Polar Regions:

(1)To ensure continuity of their weather, climate, water and related environmental programmes in Polar Regions;

(2)To provide additional observations in Polar Regionsby using automatic weather and hydrometric stations, atmospheric soundings, and other geophysical observatories on land, by recruiting additional voluntary observing ships, by equipping aircraft with appropriate means of recording and distributing observations, and by deploying automated observing platforms on and under the sea and ice, in order to meet the needs of NWP, hydrological services, climate studies and research programmes;

(3)To enhance their satellite programmes in delivering appropriate satellite observing system infrastructure and products and services required for polar regions;

(4)To consider the possibility of cooperating with other Members in sharing the costs of reopening and operating previously functioning stations, in expanding existing stations or in deploying new observing and communication systems;

(5)To support WMO Polar Activities by providing both human and financial resources in its endeavours to enhance observations, research and services in polar regions;

Requests the Executive Council to:

(1)Promote the coordination of weather, climate, water and related environmental activities in Polar Regions;

(2)Ensure close collaboration with other international organizations concerned such as the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) and other relevant associations of IUGG, the Arctic Council, the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP), the Forum of Arctic Research Operators (FARO),International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO[JG6];

(3)Ensure that WMO Polar and High Mountain Activities support the WMO Strategic Plan 20162019 and beyond;

Requests regional associations and technical commissions to support WMO Polarand High Mountain Activities;

Requests the Secretary-General to bring this resolution to the attention of all concerned.

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Note:This resolution replaces Resolution 58 (Cg-XVI), which is no longer in force.

[JG1]Depends on what comes out of Wellington meeting wrt to EC-66 resolution

[A[2]I agree with Jon on this, but it may prove difficult to drop the reference altogether – perhaps we could delete #6 and adapt #7 by referencing the legacy of IPY and the potential for IPI’s

[A[3]We should mention the GCW IP

[JG4]Delete? IPY some time ago now. Replace with an appropriate IPI reference? (Note: also deleted reference to IPD that was in previous Resolutions)

[A[5]This is done

[JG6]Any others?