TG1: GEOSS ASIAN WATER CYCLE INITIATIVE (AWCI)Human factors, such as globalization, population growth, poverty, urbanization and changes inland use, are aggravating the negative consequences of climatological, hydrological andmeteorological hazards. Extreme climate events are also increasing water-related disaster risks facedby populations living in vulnerable areas. Losses are increasing in both developed and developing
countries, and in this inter-connected world, the impact of an event can immediately cross borders,leading to cascading consequences, even in areas that are remote from the event. Repeated exposure todisasters is hampering sustainable development in vulnerable localities.
In 2015, the international community agreed on three major accords: the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (Paris Agreement). These agreements collectively present
an urgent need and opportunity for action now and beyond. There are important connections among
these agreements. The SDGs on water and its related targets capture many ways water is utilized,managed, treated and protected throughout the entire water cycle. These targets address pressing
water-related issues including social vulnerability and water-related hazards due to intensified climatechange as well as poverty, hunger and cities. These water issues are inter-related and interdependentand must be addressed in a systemic and global way to create a more water-secure world.
GEOSS/AWCI has stepped into the second phase as one of Task Groups of AOGEO and a part ofGEOGLOWS. Based on the series of discussions at the Asia Water Cycle Symposium (AWCS2016) inTokyo, March 2016, the 9th , 10th , 11th GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposiums in Tokyo 2017, Hanoi
2018 and Kyoto 2018, respectively, the 3rd and 4th UN Special Thematic Sessions on Water andDisasters in New York in July 2017 and June 2019, respectively, and the plenary meetings inMyanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, AWCI in collaboration with theInternational Flood Initiative (IFI) established a Platform on Water Resilience and Disasters in eachcountry and has launched its activity.
The session this year will discuss concerted actions in the Asia-Oceania region to be taken for
effectively contributing to the three global key agendas, i.e., the Sendai Framework, the SDGs and theParis Agreement, and successfully implementing the UN Decade of Action "Water for SustainableDevelopment" (2018-2028).
Co-Chairs:
Dr. Srikanth Herath, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development, Sri Lanka
Dr. Angelica Gutierrez, Chair of GEOGLOWS, NOAA, USA
Prof. Toshio Koike, International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM)

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November 3, Sunday at Common Room, University House, National University of Australia
9:00-9:30

1. Opening GEOSS/AWCI Breakout Session1) Opening Address
Co-Chairs
2) Opening Remarks
GEO Secretariat Director
Gilberto Camara
APN (submitted ppt)
Linda Anne Stevensonth3) Report on the AWCI Session of the 11 GEOSS-AP and the related activities
Toshio Koike

9:30-10:20

2. Keynote Lecture
Angelica Gutierrez, NOAA, USA
Dushmanta Dutta, New South Wales Government, Australia

10:20-10:30

Break

10:30-10:40*5. Introductions to the International Activities on Water
1) JAXA

Shinichi Sobue

10:40-12:00

3. Water (TG1)-Agriculture (TG5)-Droughts (TG6) Joint Session
1) TG6 inputs
Jia, Li
2) TG5 inputs
Shinichi Sobue
3) TG1 inputs
Toshio Koike
4) Discussion towards coordination and integration

12:00-13:00

Lunch Break

13:00-14:20

4. Report on the Platforms on Water Resilience and Disasters
1) Myanmar2) Philippines
3) Sri Lanka
4) Indonesia

14:20-14:40

5. Introductions to the International Activities on Water (WebEX)
2) WMO
Johannes Cullmann
3) UNESCO
Shahbaz Khan

14:40-15:00

Break

15:00-15:40

6. Summary on Practical Contributions to the Global Agendas
All1)2)3)SDGsSendai Framework
Paris Agreement215:40-16:20

7. Regional Cooperation during the UN International Decade for Action“Water for Sustainable Development”
All1)
2)
3)

16:20-16:50

Hydrometeorology
Disaster Management
Infrastructure Design and Management

8. Inputs into the Canberra Statement
All

16:50-17:00

9. Closing Remarks
Co-Chairs

17:00

Adjourn3