4th Session of SAHF Executive Coucil Meeting
- May 06, 2025
- Colombo, Sri Lanka
The South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) was established as a regional platform by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to increase cooperation and coordination to enhance the capacity and capabilities of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in hydrometeorological service delivery across South Asia. Given the region’s high vulnerability to climate-induced disasters, including cyclones, floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures, strengthening service delivery is critical for building resilience and supporting sustainable development goals. SAHF facilitates cross-border collaboration for information sharing, capacity development, and knowledge-sharing among NMHSs, ensuring they can provide accurate, timely, and actionable hydrometeorological information guiding anticipatory actions in their respective countries.
SAHF is governed by an Executive Council (EC) composed of heads of NMHSs in South Asia. The EC is responsible for overseeing the implementation of SAHF’s vision and objectives and plays a pivotal role in:
- Providing strategic leadership to ensure SAHF initiatives align with regional and global priorities,
- Coordinating regional efforts to enhance the effectiveness of hydrometeorological services in disaster preparedness, emergency response, impact assessment based anticipatory actions and climate adaptation,
- Approving key decisions related to SAHF’s governance, financial sustainability, and technical roadmaps, and
- Strengthening partnerships with regional and international organizations for building activities targeting resilient recovery and build back and better.
The Fourth SAHF EC Meeting, scheduled for 06 May 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, aims to further deepen regional collaboration by reaffirming the value of SAHF to the participating countries, evaluating 2023-2025 progress, strengthening regional collaboration, and endorsing strategic roadmaps for SAHF’s next phase of implementation. This meeting will also provide a platform to discuss long-term sustainability strategies, formalize leadership transitions, and secure financial commitments for SAHF’s continued growth. The outcomes of this session will be instrumental in shaping the future of hydrometeorological services in South Asia, ensuring they remain effective, responsive, and sustainable in the face of increasing climate risks.
The SAHF EC meeting will focus on:
- Expanding the capacity of SAHF members to provide a wider range of services, ensuring better support for the needs of the communities.
- Securing new and additional funding partnerships to sustain and expand SAHF’s activities, particularly for supporting the operation and expansion of WG initiatives, and addressing the growing needs of member countries.
- Exploring how advances in science and technology- such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)- can be leveraged to improve predictive capabilities and enhance the overall effectiveness of hydrometeorological services.
Strengthening the integration of IBF and Climate Services into national policy frameworks and decision-making processes, ensuring they play a central role in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation strategies.
06th March 2025 4th Session of the SAHF Executive Council (EC) Meeting Colombo, Sri Lanka | 09:00 AM – 06:00 PM | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Timing | Speakers/Presenters | Expected Outcomes |
| Registration | 09:00 AM – 09:30 AM | All Participants | |
| Opening Remarks - Welcome address. - Overview of the session’s objectives and expected outcomes. | 09:30 AM – 09:45 AM | Mr. Athula Karunanayake, DG, DOM, Sri Lanka/Representative of the Host Country Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, DG, IMD, India/Chair, SAHF EC (Virtual) Mr. Karma Dupchu, Director, NCHM, Bhutan/Co-Chair, SAHF EC Mr. A. R. Subbiah, DG, RIMES | |
| Adoption of Agenda - Formal adoption of the session agenda. - Confirmation of discussion flow and session objectives. | 09:50 AM - 10:00 AM | Chair & Co-Chair | |
| Re-appointment of Chair and Co-Chair - The SAHF EC Chair and Co-Chair’s 2nd term of two years has concluded. - EC members will discuss and vote on the re-appointment or selection of new Co-Chairs. | 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM | All EC Members | Confirmation of leadership to ensure continuity and strategic direction for SAHF |
| SAHF Progress and Next Steps - Review of SAHF’s progress (2023-2025), impact of SAHF/CARE integration, key achievements, challenges and priority areas for going forward. | 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM | Dr. Anshul Agarwal, Lead-SAHF, RIMES | -Identification of SAHF’s progress and challenges. -Agreement on sustenance of the tools/products -Agreement on priority areas for future development. |
| Group Photo & Morning Refreshments | 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | ||
| Observational Networks (OBN) Strategy and Roadmap - Presentation of the strategy and roadmap - Discussion and decision | 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | Dr. Alice Soares , Senior Hydromet Adviser, WBG OBN WG Co-Chairs | -EC endorsement for the OBN Strategy and Roadmap -Decision on action items |
| Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and OBN Roadmap - Present the NWP Roadmap, developed in consultation with SAHF Working Group (WG) members, to strengthen regional forecasting capabilities and cross-border collaboration - Discussion and decision | 11:45 AM – 12:15 AM | Dr. Alice Soares/NWP Co-Chairs | -EC endorsement for the NWP Strategy and Roadmap -Decision on action items |
| Impact-based Forecasting (IBF) WG - Present the IBF Workplan outlining key activities, timelines, and collaborative efforts for implementation in South Asia. - Discussions will focus on stakeholder coordination, data-sharing mechanisms, policy integration, and capacity-building needs. | 12:15 AM – 12:35 AM | Ms. Helen Caughey, Deputy Chief & International Meteorologist, UKMO | -Inputs for regional IBF implementation strategies for 2025-2027. -Agreement on priority areas for IBF expansion and integration into DRR frameworks. -Adoption of the IBF Workplan with a clear implementation timeline. |
| Climate Services WG - Introduce the ToR for Climate Services Working Group (WG), highlighting its role in enhancing Climate Services in SA Region. - Discussions will focus on securing EC endorsement for the WG, integrating IBF within the broader Climate Services framework, and defining a roadmap for its operationalization. | 12:35 AM – 12:45 AM | Mr. David Corbelli, Senior International Development Manager, UKMO | EC endorsement for the Climate Services WG and Roadmap |
| Lunch Break | 12:45 PM – 13:45 PM | ||
| Hydrology Working Group | 13:45 PM – 14:15 PM | Mr. Ben Churchill, Director, WMO Regional Office for Asia and the Southwest Pacific (RAP) | - Opportunities to link with ongoing initiatives like FFGS and HydroSoS and build a regional approach for the SAHF region. -Identifying technical assistance needed to enhance SAHF’s effectiveness. -WMO plan and support for Hydrology WG |
| Resources and funding to support the SAHF program - Overview of RAP, WISER AP and CREWS programs supporting SAHF - Potential funding, and technical support | 14:15 PM – 15:00 PM | Mr. David Corbelli, UKMO Dr. Melanie Simone Kappes, DRM Specialist, WBG (Virtual) Mr. Ben Churchill, Director, WMO | -Enhanced collaboration with global hydromet service providers. -Identification of funding and capacity-building opportunities. |
| Maximizing the value of SAHF NMHSs: Testing new approaches to long-term sustainability - an invitation to collaborate | 15:00 PM – 16:00 PM | Dr. Alan Thorpe, Hydromet Advisor, WBG (Virtual) Dr. David Rogers, Senior Hydromet Advisor, WBG (Virtual) Dr. Shiromani Jayawardena, Advisor, (Weather and Climate Services)- SAHF, RIMES | -Presentations -Maximizing the value of SAHF NMHSs -Testing new approaches to long-term sustainability -EC Decision on the way forward |
| EC Resolutions - Review of key discussions and draft resolutions. - Agreement on SAHF’s strategic priorities and commitments for 2025-2027. - Approval of resolutions by EC members | 16:00 PM – 17:00 PM | Chair & Co-Chair | -Official adoption of action points and policy directions. -Commitment from SAHF members to implement agreed-upon strategies. |
| Closing Session - Closing remarks highlighting key takeaways and future collaboration. - Vote of thanks by Director General, RIMES | 17:00 PM – 17:30 PM | EC Chairs & Members | -Reinforcement of SAHF’s regional mission. -Acknowledgment of contributions from partners and stakeholders. |
| High Tea | 17:30 PM – 18:00 PM | ||
