GBON/SOFF Workshop

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A panel of six professionals sitting at a long table, each with a microphone and water bottle, participating in a conference discussion.

A panel of six people is seated at a long table with microphones and nameplates, participating in a discussion at a conference. A few audience members are visible in the foreground.

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Three men in suits sit at a conference table with microphones and nameplates. The man in the middle speaks, while the others listen attentively. Water bottles are on the table.

Three individuals sit at a panel table with nameplates and microphones. From left to right: Dr. Ana Heureux, Niri Stav, Dr. Nathan D.

Four professionals seated at a panel discussion. The nameplates in front of them read (from left to right): Dr. Vedaste Iyabaremye, Dr. Ana Heureux, and Nir Stav. Water bottles and microphones are on the table.

On behalf of co-organizers, WMO Secretariat is delighted to invite you to participate in the WMO Open Consultative Platform (OCP) Workshop on the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) and the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) to be held at meeting room Schubert 1-3, Messe Wien Exhibition and Congress Center. This Workshop is co-organized by GeoSphere Austria, the HydroMeteorological and Environmental Industry Association (HMEI), the SOFF Secretariat, and the WMO Secretariat. This session will bring together representatives from the meteorological, climate, and hydrological community to discuss how these initiatives are driving improvements in weather forecasts, early warning systems, and climate services to save lives and proprieties, and support resilient development, and to provide insights on:

The intention and progress of WMO’s Global Basic Observing Network (GBON), discussing key issues arising from recent planning and implementation.
The latest plans and implementation status of the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), highlighting the possibility of further engagement by the private sector.
The experience of SOFF implementation in Rwanda, including key challenges related to private sector engagement.
Opportunities for private sector engagement and collaborative efforts to close the observation gaps in regions with the greatest needs.

Expected outcomes:

Advancing understanding of GBON and SOFF and promoting greater HMEI involvement.
Identify two concrete takeaways for how to improve HMEI engagement in SOFF implementation.

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"Robotics at the service of the polar science" by Angelo Odetti, licensed under CC BY 3.0

This is a workshop open to all attendees of the Meteorological Technology World Expo 2024, offering a unique platform for networking, collaboration, and engagement with public, private, and academic stakeholders.

Resources

Presentations

Press release

Building effective public-private business models for the benefit of national meteorological services

TECO-2024 website