Working Group on Digital Transformation for Hydrology and Water Resources – World Meteorological Organization WMO

Report on the Working Group for Digital Transformation in Hydrology and Water Resources

Introduction and Strategic Mandate

In a concerted effort to advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a dedicated Working Group on Digital Transformation for Hydrology and Water Resources (WG DT-HWR) has been established. This joint initiative by SC-HYD 2, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to drive digital transformation in operational hydrology. The group, formally launched at the 1st UN Virtual Worlds Day, will focus on integrating new technologies across the hydrological value chain. A primary objective is the development of guidelines for multi-stakeholder collaboration, aligning with the WMO Plan of Action for Hydrology 2022–2030 to accelerate progress on global water and climate goals.

Core Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Working Group’s mission is fundamentally linked to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals by leveraging technology and collaboration.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The core focus on improving operational hydrology directly supports the sustainable management of water resources, which is essential for ensuring the availability of clean water.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By enhancing hydrological monitoring and forecasting, the initiative strengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The group’s multi-stakeholder structure, involving UN agencies, public and private sectors, and academia, exemplifies the collaborative approach required to achieve the SDGs.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The promotion of emerging technologies fosters innovation and contributes to building resilient infrastructure for water management.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The partnership with UNCCD directly addresses the challenge of combating desertification and managing water challenges to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems.

Key Focus Areas for SDG Advancement

1. Technology

   Explore and document the application of emerging technologies in operational hydrology through use cases, scientific articles, and reports. This directly supports SDG 6 and SDG 13 by providing innovative tools for water management and climate adaptation.

2. Governance and Policy

   Develop guidance on policies and frameworks to govern the use of emerging technologies. This includes creating a tool to evaluate the digital maturity of National Hydrological Services, thereby strengthening institutional capacity for effective water governance in line with SDG 6.

3. Partnerships

   Facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement through pilot projects demonstrating emerging technologies. This approach embodies SDG 17, fostering public-private-research collaborations to accelerate the adoption of sustainable water solutions.

4. Capacity Building

   Organize training programmes, webinars, and workshops, and develop an online resource hub for practitioners. These activities are crucial for building human and institutional capacity to implement advanced hydrological services globally, contributing to multiple SDGs.

Strategic Initiatives and Highlights

The Working Group engages in high-level international forums to advance its mission and promote digital solutions for global challenges:

• 1st UN Virtual Worlds Day: Formal launch of the Working Group, marking a commitment to leveraging new digital frontiers for sustainable development.
• AI Standards Summit: Contribution to shaping AI standards for climate response and disaster management, directly advancing SDG 13.
• AI4Good Impact India: Engagement in leveraging AI to advance the United Nations mission, with a focus on water and climate challenges.
• UNCCD COP-16 – Restoration Pavilion: Presentation on the role of digital transformation in combating desertification and water scarcity, supporting SDG 15.

Publications

The Working Group disseminates its findings and guidance through various publications, including scientific articles, reports, and reviews. These resources are designed to support global stakeholders in their efforts to achieve water-related Sustainable Development Goals through digital innovation.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article’s central theme is the “digital transformation in the field of operational hydrology” and “water resources.” The establishment of the Working Group on Digital Transformation for Hydrology and Water Resources (WG DT-HWR) directly addresses the management and sustainability of water, which is the core of SDG 6.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The initiative focuses on “leveraging new technologies,” exploring “emerging technologies and its application in operational hydrology,” and publishing “scientific articles, reports and reviews.” This emphasis on technological advancement, research, and innovation aligns with SDG 9’s goal of fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article explicitly mentions the “AI Standards Summit: Shaping AI Standards for Climate Response and Disaster Management.” This directly connects the working group’s activities to building resilience against climate-related hazards, a key component of SDG 13.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The involvement of the UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) and the mention of a session on “Reviving the Earth: Digital Transformation in combatting desertification and water challenges” clearly link the article’s subject matter to the goals of SDG 15, particularly the effort to combat desertification.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The entire initiative is a collaborative effort, as the working group was “jointly established” by SC-HYD 2, ITU, UNCCD, and UNDP. The article highlights “multi-stakeholder engagement (public-private-research/academia)” and the preparation of “guidelines that outlines strategies for multi-stakeholder collaboration,” which are central to the principles of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 6:
   • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The working group’s focus on improving “operational hydrology” and “water resources” management through technology and multi-stakeholder collaboration directly supports the implementation of integrated water resources management.
   • Target 6.a: By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities. The focus area of “Capacity Building,” which includes organizing “training programmes, webinars and workshops” and developing an “online resource hub,” is a direct implementation of this target.
2. Under SDG 9:
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries. The working group’s aim to “Explore emerging technologies,” “Document uses cases and publish scientific articles, reports and reviews” directly contributes to enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities in the field of hydrology.
3. Under SDG 13:
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The focus on “Shaping AI Standards for Climate Response and Disaster Management” is a specific action aimed at strengthening resilience to climate-related challenges.
4. Under SDG 15:
   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… The UNCCD COP-16 highlight on “Digital Transformation in combatting desertification and water challenges” shows a direct application of the group’s work towards this target.
5. Under SDG 17:
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships. The formation of the working group by multiple UN bodies (ITU, UNCCD, UNDP) and its focus on facilitating “multi-stakeholder engagement (public-private-research/academia)” and developing “innovative partnerships” are prime examples of this target in action.
   • Target 17.9: Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries. The “Capacity Building” focus area, with its planned training programs and workshops, directly aligns with providing international support for capacity-building.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Preparation of guidelines: The article states a “key milestone will be the preparation of guidelines that outlines strategies for multi-stakeholder collaboration.” The completion and adoption of these guidelines can serve as a clear indicator of progress towards Target 6.5 and 17.16.
2. Development of a tool to evaluate digital maturity: The plan to create a “Tool to evaluate the digital maturity and transformation of National Hydrological Services” is a specific, measurable indicator for assessing progress in governance and policy under Target 6.5.
3. Number of capacity-building activities: Progress towards Targets 6.a and 17.9 can be measured by the number of “training programmes, webinars and workshops” organized and the number of practitioners using the “online resource hub.”
4. Number of publications and documented use cases: The output of “scientific articles, reports and reviews” and documented “uses cases” serves as a direct indicator of enhanced scientific research and knowledge sharing, relevant to Target 9.5.
5. Implementation of pilot projects: The number and success of “demonstration projects” that “pilot emerging technologies” can be used to measure the practical application of technology and the effectiveness of partnerships under Targets 9.5 and 17.16.
6. Development of AI standards: The successful development and adoption of “AI Standards for Climate Response and Disaster Management” would be a concrete indicator of progress towards Target 13.1.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wmo.int