MoU opens global floodgates on drought management

Improving drought management research activities is at the centre of an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the Queensland Government has signed with the Korea Water Resources Corporation, K-Water.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the MoU would build on existing international relationships established by the Queensland Drought Mitigation Centre (QDMC) and K-Water.

“Through its Drought and Climate Adaptation Program (DCAP), the QDMC is already regarded as a global leader in drought research and associated agricultural and water resource issues,” Mr Furner said.

“The MoU will further develop and formalise existing international relationships between organisations interested in improving drought management in the agriculture and water management sectors.

“QDMC has links with the United Kingdom Meteorological Office and the United States National Drought Mitigation Centre (USNDMC) while K-Water has established a similar MoU with the USNDMC, University of Nebraska.

“Leveraging these existing arrangements has the potential to provide significant benefits for Queensland and support improved drought resilience across the agriculture sector.”

Mr Furner said the MoU would initiate an international collaboration to share information and conduct drought management research activities.

“The United Nations recognises that global drought management and research issues cannot be managed by single countries or regions alone and a strong international collaborative process is needed, Mr Furner said. 

“The MoU provides an exciting opportunity to be a leading agency with a pivotal role in the formation of an International Drought Mitigation Centre (IDMRC).

“Participation in the IDMRC could provide significant benefits for Queensland and will support improved drought resilience across the agriculture sector.”

Mr Furner said the Queensland Government established the QDMC in 2016 to help the agriculture industry develop resilience to drought and climate variability and adapt to a changing climate.

“Through the QDMC and DCAP, Queensland primary producers are being supported to achieve higher productivity and profitability outcomes in an uncertain and variable climatic environment,” Mr Furner said.

“Independent monitoring, review and evaluation of DCAP indicates that projects are meeting goals and objectives and having a positive impact in contributing to successful drought and climate risk management in Queensland agriculture.

“It speaks volumes to the great work of QDMC that the MoU was signed following an approach from K-Water to form a collaborative agreement to develop improved drought management research and development activities.”

ENDS

Media contact:          Ron Goodman            0427 781 920