Drought is one of the most insidious climate-related hazards, disproportionately impacting vulnerable groups, food security, public health, and ecosystems. According to the State of Global Water Resources 2023 Report, droughts are becoming more intense and frequent due to changes in the hydrological cycle. 2023 marked the driest year for global rivers and streamflow levels in more than three decades of record-keeping — an alarming signal of critical changes in water availability.
Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, nearly 1,000 experts, policymakers, and practitioners participated in the Drought Resilience +10 Conference, hosted by the World Meteorological Organization.
The conference aimed to:
- Reflect on the successes and challenges in drought risk management over the past decade, following the 2013 High-Level Meeting on National Drought Policy, and discuss how to achieve drought resilience in the coming years;
- Plan how to scale up drought resilience efforts to respond to the accelerating impacts of climate change;
- Engage decision-makers to raise awareness, mobilize resources, and prioritize resilience through integrated drought management strategies.
We hope that the alignment…
