The first year in the new millennium was marked by a number of events with major implications for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). WMO continued to provide leadership and take the necessary initiatives in support of sustainable development activities and policies at national and international levels. The United Nations Millennium Declaration was given considerable attention, as several environmental issues fall within the mandate of WMO. Similarly, WMO will be contributing to the New African Initiative, which was launched in Lusaka, Zambia, in July, with the aim of attaining sustainable growth and development for all African countries. A significant development in the area of climate was the publication of the Third Assessment Report of the WMO/UNEP Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the accompanying synthesis report for policy makers. The IPCC asserts that "there is new and stronger evidence that the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities". In the light of these findings, the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change reached a number of agreements that are expected to lead to early ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and the establishment of funding mechanisms in support of developing countries. This represents a modest but important step forward in preserving the climate of our planet. The year was again marked by a number of weather- and climate-related disasters. It is estimated that, globally, an average of 211 million people were affected by hydrometeorological events such as floods, windstorms and droughts every year between 1991 and 2000. WMO has therefore decided to strengthen its capability in addressing these events by establishing a programme on natural disaster reduction, in addition to actively supporting initiatives such as the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. In preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, South Africa, August/September 2002), WMO collaborated with a number of organizations while keeping the NMHSs informed on developments. It also continued to reinforce cooperation with other international organizations. WMO was entrusted with the implementation of certain components of the International Research Centre on El Ni?o, hosted by Ecuador. It also developed working relationships with organizations such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization and regional bodies such as the Mekong River Commission. Recognized as a model in international cooperation within the UN system, the Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology held its first session in Akureyri, Iceland, in June. The year 2001 was the second year of WMO's thirteenth financial period. Planned activities were carried out effectively and efficiently, largely by virtue of the reform measures implemented during the course of the year. WMO also showed considerable flexibility and dynamism in taking on major new global challenges related to poverty alleviation, climate change, dwindling water resources, pollution and environmental degradation. The continued commitment of its Members will be essential in addressing these vital concerns of humanity in the years to come.

• climate change, global warming
• weather, climates

1. WMO statement on the status of the global climate in 2001