1. Slide: 1 27 th CEOS Plenary |Montréal | 5 - 6 November 2013 Agenda Item: 15 Chu ISHIDA(JAXA) on behalf of Rick Lawford, GEO Water CoP leader GEO Water Strategy Report

2. 27 th CEOS Plenary Montréal, Canada 5-6 November, 2013 Background: Integrated Global Water Cycle Observations report published by IGOS-P in 2004. Changes since 2004: In 2005, many IGOS-P water cycle theme activities became part of the GEO water task. The current water task is directed at the following target: Timeline for producing the report: The report is being developed between January 15, 2012 and the GEO Summit in Jan 2014. By 2015, produce comprehensive sets of data and information products to support decision-making for efficient management of the world's water resources, based on coordinated, sustained observations of the water cycle on multiple scales. GEO Water Strategy Report - from observations to decision

3. 27 th CEOS Plenary Montréal, Canada 5-6 November, 2013 3 Purpose of the Report To update and synthesize the available information about the status of water cycle observations and information systems since the IGWCO report of 2004. To describe a strategy for water cycle observations and information that will enable the short- term GEO objectives and the long-term community goals to be achieved. To provide CEOS, GEO, WMO and other agencies with guidance about strategies for water cycle observations, information systems, interoperability, capacity building, etc. To propose major initiatives that will advance this overall concept.

4. 27 th CEOS Plenary Montréal, Canada 5-6 November, 2013 4 Table of Contents 1.Introduction 2.Background 3.User Needs for Water Data and User Engagement 4.Overview of observational systems 5.Existing and Planned Observational Systems for Priority Water Cycle Variables 6.Existing and Planned Observational Systems for Priority Water Quality Variables 7.Quality, Management, and Integration of Water Cycle Data: 8.Water Cycle Integration 9.Capacity Building and Regional Perspectives of water cycle information applications 10.Linkages 11.Institutional and Funding Issues 12.Towards an Implementation Plan

5. 27 th CEOS Plenary Montréal, Canada 5-6 November, 2013 5 Major Points of the Report 1.Show needs to provide a framework for guiding decisions regarding priorities and strategies for the maintenance and enhancement of water cycle observations 2.Show the importance to improve welfare of the poor in developing countries through more effective water management, and to support the climate change adaptation agenda 3.Clarify the user needs of precipitation, soil moisture and evapo-transportation based on a GEO assessment 4.Show existing and planned observational systems for water cycle and water quality variables and the gap 5.Recommend actions to solve the issues

6. 27 th CEOS Plenary Montréal, Canada 5-6 November, 2013 2012: Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 : North American Workshop December 3 - 5 : AGU Science session and town hall meeting 2013: February 26 : Water Strategy Session at the Asia-Pacific GEO Symposium March : Presentation and summary document sent to CEOS SIT and GEO Executive April 11 : EGU Town Hall on the GEO Water Strategy April 17, 18 : European GEO Water Strategy Workshop – Barcelona, Spain May 15 : Revised draft document circulated to CEOS and GEO members for comment September 1 : Documents circulated to writing team and other groups for final review September 12: Presentation at CEOS SIT Technical Workshop – Pasadena, US October 10 : Final comments on the report received 2014: January : Copies of the report and the Management Overview would be distributed at the GEO Summit 6 Progress since 2012 Plenary

7. 27 th CEOS Plenary Montréal, Canada 5-6 November, 2013 After the GEO Water Strategy report is adopted by the GEO as a basis for its post-2015 water activities, GEO will request CEOS (satellites) and WMO (in-situ) to develop action plans for how they will contribute to the new water programme. A structured report consolidating these and possibly other commitments will serve as the new GEO Water Implementation plan and the basis for the post-2015 GEO water task. The completion of CEOS action items will be used an important metric for tracking the progress of post- 2015 GEO water activities. 7 GEO Expectations

8. 27 th CEOS Plenary Montréal, Canada 5-6 November, 2013 Thank you