Strengthening research on drought forecasting

Description

Strengthening research on drought forecasting involves advancing data collection, modeling, and early warning systems to improve the accuracy and timeliness of drought predictions. This strategy enables better risk assessment, resource allocation, and proactive response planning, thereby reducing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of drought. Key actions include integrating satellite and ground-based observations, enhancing predictive models, and fostering collaboration among scientific, governmental, and local stakeholders to ensure actionable, location-specific forecasts.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends strengthening research and national training capabilities to assess the impact of drought and to develop methodologies to forecast drought.