المنظمة العالمية للأرصاد الجوية

Assisting in the capacity development of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) by improving human, technical and institutional capacities and infrastructure, particularly in developing, least developed and small island developing states and territories, in order to enable them to deliver timely, high-quality weather, climate and water-related services.

Scope

The Capacity Development Programme with assistance from development partners promotes collaboration between Members and WMO Programmes to support National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in providing essential weather, climate and water-related services and in contributing to global efforts to protect life and property from natural hazards.

The range of support includes education and training, demonstration projects, regional activities, research, development partnerships, institutional arrangements and guidance, technical advice and advocacy to strengthen weather, climate and water-related services through compliance with WMO regulations.

Objectives

The overall objectives of the Programme are to implement the WMO Capacity Development Strategy by assisting Members to:

identify the services required of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services as well as the capacity gaps that limit their ability to deliver such services;
address gaps in the ability of their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to comply with WMO Technical Regulations;
formulate appropriate national plans, project/programme proposals and seek support for their implementation;
exchange information on the needs of their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and identify possible sources of assistance, may it be other Members or development partners;
develop and implement regional and national capacity development projects, especially those that demonstrate socio-economic benefits and use innovative approaches and technologies in line with WMO Standards;
advocate for external and internal support;
promote international cooperation with development partners and regional and international organizations; and
build the skills of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services staff.

Structure

The Programme is structured, planned and implemented on a national, regional and global level. Activities are supported from a range of sources, including regular and extra-budgetary resources as well as in-kind contributions of Members and other development partners. The Executive Council provides the governance for the Programme.

Components

The Programme supports other Programmes in the implementation of priority activities and collaborates with all WMO bodies and Programmes. Its core components include:

Voluntary Cooperation Programme

The Voluntary Cooperation Programme GFCS-funded Red Cross community project Malawihe Voluntary Cooperation Programme provides assistance and support to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in developing and least developed countries and small island developing states.

Resource mobilization and development partnership activities

The Office for Resource Mobilization and Development Partnerships works to secure development assistance for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services with particular emphasis on developing countries, least develop countries and small island developing states to help them establish the levels of weather, water and climate information services needed to support the protection of life, property and environment and the security of food production, energy and water resources.

Regional Programme

The overall objective of the Regional Programme is to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the six Regional Associations of the Organization in coordinating meteorological, hydrological, climatological and related activities of their Members. The Programme provides a framework for regional cooperation in the implementation of the WMO strategies, policies and programmes, taking into account regional requirements, capacities and prioritis.

Small Island Developing States and Member Island Territories

Small Island Developing States and Member Island Territories are low-lying island nations that are highly vulnerable and often affected by weather extremes and climate change, including the increased severity of cyclones, storm surges, heavy rains, droughts, sea-level rise and ocean acidification. Investments in disaster risk reduction, including early warning systems and adaptation measures for critical sectors, are essential for building resilient communities and facilitating sustainable development.

Least Developed Countries Programme

The Least Developed Countries Programme enables National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to enhance both human and institutional capacities to eradicate poverty in order to achieve internationally agreed development goals.

Education and Training Programme

The Education and Training Programme assists National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in developing the qualifications and competencies – knowledge, skills and behaviours – required by the WMO Technical Regulations to deliver timely and high-quality meteorological, hydrological and related services and to meet international obligations.