Page 48 - UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

UN Executive Briefing on Unlocking the potential of virtual worlds and
the metaverse for the Sustainable Development Goals

Agency name:

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Description of activities:

WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with 193 Member States and Territories.
It is the UN system’s authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere,
its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces, and the resulting
distribution of water resources.

Project 1: Working Group on Digital Transformation for Hydrology and Water Resources

Over the last two decades, disasters have claimed millions of lives globally and impacted
livelihoods, resulting in the destabilization of the socio-economic fabric across regions. Among
these, floods, droughts and related hydro-meteorological disasters account for more than 50
per cent of these, with their frequency more than doubling in the last 20 years. Early Warning
Systems that adequately cover all the phases of disaster management including mitigation,
prevention, recovery and relief, are vital to reduce and mitigate the adverse impacts of disasters.
However, the onset of climate change disturbs existing weather patterns, leading to extremes
such as longer and more intense dry periods, and increases in the frequency of severe floods.
This poses a challenge to the existing Early Warning Systems in terms of detecting these hazards
and their impacts. Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT),
digital twin, metaverse and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can transform water resources
management and enhance early warning systems, helping us better address these challenges.

Given the growing interests among WMO Member States on the use of emerging technologies
and the process of digital transformation in hydrology and water resources, the WMO Standing
Committee on Hydrological Services (SC-HYD) (under the WMO Services Commission) has
established a dedicated Working Group on Digital Transformation for Hydrology and Water
Resources. This Working Group will provide further guidance, and build on the ongoing
developments and innovations in the domain of hydrology and water resources management.

Broadly, the working group will:
• Investigate and encourage the adoption of emerging technologies in hydrological services
and water resources management, while fostering collaboration among stakeholders
from government, the private sector, international organizations, academia, and research
institutions to harmonize efforts on the digital transformation process.
• Establish dialogue with multiple stakeholders, including the private sector, to advance
digital transformation within hydrology and water resources management, and explore
education, training, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to enhance the skills and
capabilities of professionals in the field.
• Provide input to regulatory frameworks that facilitate digital transformation in operational
hydrology, identify best practices, and promote the development and adoption of
international standards.
• Contribute to increased public awareness of the importance of digital transformation
in managing water resources, its impacts on communities, and seek opportunities
for mobilizing resources to pilot new technologies in hydrology and water resources
management.

40