WMO has signed a new partnership agreement with the Republic of Korea to strengthen international cooperation in operational hydrology, flood forecasting and water resource management. There is a special focus on capacity development in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo signed two Memorandum of Understanding with Byounghwa Lee - Vice Minister from the Ministry of Environment and Youngkee LEE - President of the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey on 14 May.
"These partnerships are grounded in our shared commitment to strengthening the capacities of our Members to more effectively address increasing hydrometeorological risks", said Celeste Saulo.
Throughout the 75-year history of WMO, operational hydrology has been at the core of its mandate as a UN specialized agency. It supports its Members in monitoring, forecasting, and managing the water cycle to improve resilience against water-related hazards. WMO helps countries develop integrated hydrological services that are essential for flood forecasting, water resource assessment, and climate adaptation. These services underpin global initiatives such as Early Warnings for All (EW4All).
The new partnerships aim to enhance WMO's ability to support its Members by strengthening capacity building, data sharing, and the use of innovative technologies for more effective water-related decision-making and disaster preparedness.
The WMO-Ministry of Environment MoU will focus on mobilizing technical and financial resources for operational hydrology and water resource management in dozens of countries. Specifically, it aims to strengthen capacities in flood forecasting, water resources assessment, and emerging technologies, including AI and Digital Twins. This draws on Korea's expertise in open-source systems and water management practices.
"Through this MoU, we will contribute to responding to global water disasters through technical cooperation in the fields of hydrology and water resources with the WMO," said Vice Minister Lee Byounghwa.
The MoU with the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey will focus on capacity-building, knowledge-sharing and educational activities in hydrological monitoring, data sharing, flood risk mitigation, and water resource management in WMO Members.
"This agreement marks an important milestone toward the international standardization of hydrological survey techniques and proactive cooperation with the 193 Member States of the WMO in addressing global water challenges," said Youngkee LEE - President of the Korea Institute of Hydrological Survey.
Korean expertise
Both the Ministry of Environment and KIHS bring extensive expertise and technological capabilities in areas like flood forecasting, hydrological data management and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The MoUs provide a formal framework for WMO and its Korean partners to launch new joint projects, develop hydrological services, and deliver training and technological solutions globally. These agreements are expected to facilitate faster project deployment, attract additional resources, and expand the Republic of Korea's leadership role in international water cooperation.
