An expert meeting on the establishment of a global hydrological network for climate was held at the Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim in Geisenheim, Germany, from 26 June to 30 June, 2000. The list of participants is given in Annex I. The following goals for the meeting were developed during the planning sessions:
Establish user needs for a global hydrological network
Identify deliverables of such a network
Develop a vision and a strategy for establishing an initial, end-to-end global hydrology observing "system", focusing on the hydrological variables identified by the Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC)
Identify existing networks, centres and mechanisms that could contribute to this strategy.
The expected output of the meeting was an action plan, with an initial observing system to be operational within two years, to be expanded and take advantage of new opportunities. The plan should identify specific actions that can realistically be implemented, propose implementing/responsible groups/agencies, and specify co-ordination mechanisms to facilitate such implementation.
The meeting was opened on Monday, June 26 at 10:45 am with welcome addresses by Dr Vent-Schmidt of the Deutscher Wetterdienst, by Prof. Schaller, Director of the Research Institute of Geisenheim, and by Dr Grabs of the WMO Hydrology and Water Resources (HWR) Department. Dr Schaller introduced Dr Rudolf who was responsible for local arrangements. Dr Vent-Schmidt proposed that Dr Landwehr of the U.S. Geological Survey and member of TOPC, be elected as Chairperson, and this was unanimously accepted.
Dr Landwehr reviewed the provisional agenda. With some minor amendments, the amended agenda was adopted (refer to Annex II).
