History

The First World Climate Conference in 1979 and the Second World Climate Conference in 1990 were milestones in building awareness and gaining recognition that climate was an issue of international importance and leading to concrete actions. The First World Climate Conference led to WMO establishing the World Climate Programme (WCP), including the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), the latter as a co-sponsored activity initially with the International Council for Science (ICSU) and, subsequently, also with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These initiatives led to the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988, co-sponsored by WMO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The Second World Climate Conference led to the establishment of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). By calling for the creation of a climate convention, it also added momentum to international efforts that resulted in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992.

Expectations

• WCC–3 should result in practical outcomes of direct relevance to policy-makers, the private sector and the public and strengthen linkages among the scientific and user communities
• WCC-3 has the potential to contribute to significant and immediate socio-economic benefits, including the prevention and mitigation of the impacts of natural disasters
• WCC-3, by advancing the science and application of climate prediction, would provide valuable input to the growing number of activities and programmes focused on adapting to and managing risks posed by climate variability and change, particularly in developing countries
• WCC-3 would enhance coordination across WMO and UN programmes and those of other international scientific organizations.

Theme

Fifteenth World Meteorological Congress (May 2007) approved WCC-3 and its overarching theme: Climate prediction for decision-making: focusing on seasonal to interannual time-scales. Congress also suggested the conference title “Predicting Weather and Climate for a Changing World” on the understanding that the final decision would be made in the course of the organization of the Conference. WCC-3 will have the potential to promote disaster risk reduction, contribute to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and help bridge the gap between scientists and end-users.

Sub-themes

There will be four sub-themes in parallel sessions on:

• Climate prediction science
• Maximizing global exchange, sharing and applying climate-prediction products
• Applications and socio-economic benefits of climate prediction; and
• Using climate predictions in decision-making.

Format

Five working-week days with a science segment of three and a half days and a high-level policy segment of one and a half days, potentially leading to a ministerial declaration.

Date and place

Switzerland has expressed its interest in hosting the WCC-3 and has reserved the Geneva International Conference Centre (with capacity for 3 000 persons) from 31 August to 4 September 2009.

International Organizing Committee

WMO has established an International Organizing Committee (WIOC) for WCC-3 to support continuation of the work. This Committee has been established with a geographical balance and the first meeting of the WIOC is scheduled to be held 04-06 February 2008.

WMO will invite experts and international organizations carrying out climate-related programmes or activities, especially those which participated in the Provisional Organizing Committee to continue preparations for organizing WCC-3. These include, among others, the United Nations Environment Programme, UNESCO and its IOC, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, ICSU, UNFCCC, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, the European Commission, the World Bank, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, GCOS, WCRP, the World Health Organization, the international Group on Earth Observations, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme.

Funding

Congress agreed that any costs for organizing and holding WCC-3 must be funded from extra-budgetary resources and emphasized implementing efficient mechanisms for resource mobilization. WMO has established a trust fund for WCC-3 to receive contributions. WMO wishes to express its appreciation to the Government of Switzerland which stands as the first contributor to the WCC-3 Trust Fund. WMO also wishes to thank the Government of the USA for providing a professional staff for the Conference Secretariat to organize the first meeting of the International Organizing Committee.

Conference Secretariat

A Conference Secretariat has been established to organize the meetings of WIOC and manage other requirements for the Conference. It will run with staff seconded from contributing countries and extra-budgetary resources.

For all further information, please contact
Dr Buruhani Nyenzi
Director
Climate Prediction and Adaptation Branch (CLPA)
Climate and Water Department (CLW)

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