Water resource management cuts across political boundaries. WMO facilitates cooperation within water basins shared between countries. Management of the quality and quantity of water resources serves a wide range of human needs. A new problem emerging is the management of water supplies to the world's growing megacities and agricultural regions. Floods are a major threat to life and property.
Specialized forecasts aid communities and governments in flood-prone areas.
Programme concentrates on promoting world-wide cooperation in the evaluation of water resources and the development of hydrological networks and services, including data collection and processing, hydrological forecasting and warnings and the supply of meteorological and hydrological data for design purposes. Training programmes place several hundred specialists in advanced courses each year. Other activities include surveys of personnel training requirements, the development of appropriate training programmes, the establishment and improvement of regional training centres, as well as the organization of training courses, seminars and conferences. TCO assists Members, especially developing countries in obtaining the technical expertise and equipment for the development of their national Meteorological and Hydrological Services. In its efforts to bridge the technology gap between the national Services of developing and developed Members, WMO works with major international partners such as the United Nations Development Programme, UNEP, the Global Environment Facility and regional development banks.