The 31st GCOS Steering Committee Meeting

31st GCOS Steering Committee Meeting

The 31st Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Steering Committee Meeting recently concluded as the first in-person gathering since 2019, bringing together around 30 global experts. Attendees included representatives from the GCOS sponsoring agencies – the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the International Science Council (ISC), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – as well as key partners and stakeholders. 

Participants included two major funders of GCOS, Copernicus and NOAA, alongside representatives from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Several WMO programmes and branches were also represented. 

Key Decisions and Forward-Looking Plans 

A major outcome of the meeting was the Steering Committee’s endorsement of the GCOS workplan and timeline for the next five years. This includes the preparation and submission of the next GCOS Status Report, scheduled for 2027, followed by the GCOS Implementation Plan in 2028. 

One full day of discussions was devoted to refining GCOS’s strategy to better address adaptation needs. The Committee recognized ongoing efforts in this area and emphasized the importance of sustained global climate observations as the foundation for effective climate services and adaptation strategies.