World Meteorological Congress (Cg-19)

The World Meteorological Congress, the supreme body of World Meteorological Organization (WMO), holds its 19th session from 22 May to 2 June 2023. It assembles all 193 Member States and Territories of the WMO. 

Congress will approve the Strategic Plan 2024-2027 to promote WMO’s vision that “by 2030, we see a world where all nations, especially the most vulnerable, are more resilient to the socioeconomic consequences of extreme weather, climate, water and other environmental events.” Congress will consider WMO budget and approve maximum expenditure for 2024-2027 period.

One of WMO’s top strategic priorities – implementation of the UN Early Warnings for All Initiative – will be the focus of a high-level dialogue on the opening day.

Services Day will consider services for societal needs, including WMO Strategy for Service Delivery and a set of regulations for disaster alerts, aviation, maritime, floods, droughts, health and other services.

Infrastructure Day will focus on Earth system observations and predictions, including the evolution of global observing systems, the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) composition, climate observations and data management, WMO Integrated Processing and Predictions.

Science Day will look at targeted research, including new implementation plans of the world Weather Research Programme and Global Atmosphere Watch Programme, as well as emerging scientific drivers and opportunities.

Capacity Day will consider WMO Capacity Development Strategy, education and training and other capacity development activities.

A parallel session of the Hydrological Assembly will set the scene for Water and Cryosphere Day, look into updates to the WMO Vision and Strategy for Hydrology and its related Plan of Action and sustainable global water resource management.

On Gender Day, Congress will apprise the progress and update the WMO Gender Policy and Action Plan. 

Congress will also consider general, legal, oversight, financial and administrative matters and will consider amendments to the General, Technical, Financial and Staff Regulations.

Congress will elect the President and Vice-Presidents of the Organization and members of the Executive Council, and will appoint the Secretary-General.

The World Meteorological Congress is WMO’s top decision-making body. Its decisions are implemented by all WMO constituent bodies and the Secretariat; the Executive Council oversees the implementation of Congress decisions.

WMO Permanent Representatives, usually the heads of National and Meteorological Services, act as the focal points for the delegation. Online pre-registration through the WMO Online Registration System is required.