The 33^rd Session of the GEWEX Scientific Steering Group (SSG) was held online from 3-6 May 2021.

The Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX), one of the core projects of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), is dedicated to understanding Earth’s water cycle and energy fluxes at and below the surface and in the atmosphere. GEWEX is a network of scientists gathering information on the global water and energy cycles through research, observations, and science activities, which will help to predict changes in the world’s climate.

In anticipation of Phase IV (2023–2032) of GEWEX, this meeting of the SSG focused on updating GEWEX’s strategy documents and Imperatives to align with WCRP’s new priorities.

The meeting included reports from GEWEX panels on their annual activities; presentations on the new WCRP structure for the future, including the proposed Lighthouse Activities and the new core projects (“Regional information for Society” and “Earth System Modelling and Observational Capabilities”); updates on the Regional Focal Points set up by WCRP to implement forums and increase awareness of WCRP’s activities; an agency roundtable with the participation of CNES, ECMWF, EUMETSAT, ESA, JAXA, NOAA, NASA, DOE, IHP-UNESCO, PNNL; update on the WCRP Great Challenges: Extremes, Water for Food Baskets, Clouds; reports and opportunities of collaboration with other WCRP projects (SPARC, CliC, CORDEX, CLIVAR); a presentation from the WMO Research department, and discussion on the proposed GEWEX 30-year paper.

CLIVAR was represented in this meeting by Sonya Legg, co-chair of the SSG, who gave a presentation on opportunities of enhancing interaction/collaboration between CLIVAR and GEWEX; Aurel Moise, co-chair of the CLIVAR/GEWEX Monsoons panel, who presented the recent activities of the group; and Jose Santos, Executive Director of the ICPO, who participated in some of the discussions. Some other CLIVAR members also attended the meeting.