Navigation and service

Unrestricted exchange of hydrological data

Its status of operating under the auspices of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) gives the GRDC an identity with regard to the United Nations system which is essential for its international recognition. Through multilateral and bilateral collaboration the hydrological and meteorological services of the member states of WMO have their shares in the success of GRDC.

At its Twelfth Congress in 1995, WMO adopted with WMO_RESOLUTION_40_(Cg-XII-1995) the fundamental principle of broadening and enhancing the free and unrestricted international exchange of meteorological and related data and products in the sense of non-discriminatory provision of data and data products exempt from charges. WMO_RESOLUTION_21_(Cg-XII-1995) – Global Runoff Data Centre – encourages all Member countries to support the GRDC through the provision of the hydrological data and related information that it needs. The Congress adopted also the practice that countries should provide to research and education communities free and unrestricted access to all data and products exchanged under the auspices of WMO with the understanding that the commercial use of these data may be subject to conditions.

Resolution XII-4 (Paris, September 1996) of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Council for the International Hydrological Programme (IHP) Invites Member states to review their policies for the international exchange of hydrological data so that they may be supportive of the research being undertaken on major global issues and requests the IHP National Committees to work with their National Hydrological Services (NHS) to provide the scientific community with access to hydrological data and information needed for research at regional and international levels... using the internationally recognised international data centres.

At its Thirteenth Congress in 1999, the WMO adopted WMO_RESOLUTION_25_(Cg-XIII-1999)– Exchange of Hydrological Data and Products – which extended and specified the commitment of WMO_RESOLUTION_40_(Cg-XII-1995) to

  • ... those data and products which are necessary for the provision of services in support of the protection of life and property and for the well-being of all peoples.
  • ... additional data and products ... which are required to sustain (international) programmes and projects related to operational hydrology and water resources research
  • ...all hydrological data and products exchanged under the auspices of WMO ... to the research and education communities, for their non-commercial activities.

At its 2011 gathering, WMO Congress decided to keep Resolution 21 (Cg-XII) in force. Congress requests the Executive Council and Secretary General to take all the necessary actions to reaffirm Resolution 25 (Cg-XIII, 1999) as an essential cornerstone in the efforts to seamlessly address climate and water issues from scientific research to policy development and operational implementation. Congress urges Member States to comply with Resolution 25 (Cg-XIII, 1999) and thus to jointly address the challenges societies face with regard to climate change and the consequences of global changes.

The Second Report on the Adequacy of the Global Climate Observing System for Climate (2AR) published by GCOS in April 2003 on request of the 187 parties who signed the UNFCCC emphasised the effective data exchange and access and backed up GRDC's activities.

This Page

© 2020 BfG