With the participation of Mr. Marcos Pontes, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI) and Brazilian astronaut, a memorandum of understanding was signed on November 22 to facilitate technical cooperation between the National Center for Monitoring and Warning of Natural Disasters (Cemaden)/MCTI, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and the SERVIR-Amazon Program, to co-develop a research platform for geo-hydrometeorological monitoring of the Amazon.
The activities envisaged in this alliance include conducting studies and research, developing tools and capacities among institutions and partners, strengthening the exchange of information for the prevention and reduction of environmental, social and economic impacts generated by extreme events in the Amazon biome and basin, as well as sharing research and applications in the hydrometeorological field.
In the first stage of implementation of this memorandum, hydrological forecasts and bias correction will be validated using the observed flow for the Madeira River basin. As well as the development of tools to visualize forecasts for the Madeira River basin, including transboundary river basins; development of flood impact maps in the Madeira River basin region; and capacity building within Cemaden, as well as in organizations/users of interest.
The virtual ceremony of the signing of this new alliance was also attended by representatives from NASA, USAID and the SERVIR-Amazon Program management team.