The MRI is pleased to announce the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), signifying a formal commitment to work together more closely in view of the growing impact of the climate crisis on mountain ecosystems, economies, and communities.  

Cementing a decade of collaboration, the Memorandum – aptly signed at the start of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 – seeks to leverage the joint power of these two diverse communities and bring together current research and data to improve the reliability of forecasts and predictions.   

The agreement envisages closer cooperation in several areas, including:  

1. Mountain observations and monitoring, data access, advancing research, innovative information products, assessments, etc. 
2. Knowledge transfer through science–policy platforms to decision-making.  
3. Facilitating the exchange of data and information from stations and observatories in mountain regions – as operated by the research community and national hydrometeorological agencies.  

“Together we can better influence major international policy frameworks and high-level international climate, weather, and water initiatives to enable concrete actions on addressing impacts of mountain ecosystems and the cryosphere, at regional and global levels,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.   

“Strengthening the collaboration between the MRI and WMO underlines the importance of fostering knowledge for action in the service of societies around the world. It draws urgent attention to mountain regions, where biospheres and cryospheres are particularly vulnerable to global climate change, and where communities are actively engaged in adapting to its impacts,” said Jörg Balsiger, Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Geneva and Chair of the Mountain Research Initiative. 

The Memorandum was signed at the WMO headquarters in Geneva on 9 January, with MRI Chair Jörg Balsiger and MRI Executive Director Carolina Adler in attendance. During their visit, they also had the opportunity to meet with senior WMO staff from the Global Cryosphere Watch; the Hydrology, Water, and Cryosphere program; the Development Partnerships Office; International Climate Services; the World Climate Research Programme; and WMO Secretariat staff. 

The Memorandum represents a recognition and celebration of the numerous contributions and crucial role of science and the work of our scientific community for societal impact. It also represents a key outcome in line with the MRI’s longstanding objective to support long-term observations as part of an integrated approach for observing, modelling, and investigating global change in mountain regions, including impacts on ecosystems and society. 

_{Cover image: WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo and MRI Chair Jörg Balsiger shake hands after signing the Memorandum. Image credit: WMO.}