RA II Public-Private Engagement Activities
Public-Private Engagement (PPE) in WMO Regional Association II (Asia) facilitates collaboration between public, private, and academic sectors to enhance weather, climate, and water services for the benefit of society.
Regional Open Consultative Platform (R-OCP)
The Regional Open Consultative Platform serves as a central mechanism for facilitating dialogue between public, private, and academic sectors in Asia. This platform enables stakeholders to discuss region-specific issues, opportunities, and initiatives for leveraging cooperation that enhances socioeconomic benefits.
- The Eighteenth World Meteorological Congress (Cg-18) requested Regional Associations to stimulate informal consultations with stakeholders from all sectors.
- RA II-17 adopted Decision 6 (RA II-17) in May 2021 to organize a Regional Forum on PPE linked to the Open Consultative Platform.
- A High-Level Regional Forum of RA II & V linked to the OCP was successfully held in conjunction with the Asia Climate Forum in Singapore on 18 April 2023.
- The forum has evolved into the Regional Open Consultative Platform (R-OCP) to make regional PPE activities more relevant to the region's specific interests.
Pilot Projects and Initiatives
This pioneering project was approved at the Seventeenth Session of RA II in September 2021 and officially launched in February 2022. The project has been implementing smoothly with support from the PPE Office and the Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific (RAP).
Key Achievements:
- A midterm review conducted in November 2023 confirmed achievements across all seven project objectives
- Progress in gridded data sharing, impact-based forecasting, and risk-based warning systems
- Advancements in targeted information distribution and urban climate assessment
- Development of storm surge forecast services
- Establishment of smart meteorological service communities
- Exploration of PPE models specifically designed for mega-cities
The WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS) pilot project focuses on using artificial intelligence for satellite-based weather nowcasting. Experts from RA II, along with members from RA I, IV, and VI, have initiated this innovative project with participation from private high-tech companies and academic institutes.
Project Goals:
- Assess performance of various AI-based satellite nowcasting products
- Increase accessibility to satellite nowcasting products for all WMO Members
- Support the United Nations Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative
- Enhance products from WIPPS Designated Centres for nowcasting
In November 2024, an in-person meeting of the AINPP Steering Group was held in Beijing to further elaborate its implementation plan.
Capacity Development
The WMO has developed comprehensive training resources to build capacity for effective public-private engagement:
- Online self-learning course "PPE in Weather, Climate and Water Services" available in multiple languages
- Interactive content including videos, interviews, case studies, and activities
- Available on WMO Moodle in: English French Spanish
- Exploration underway to incorporate PPE training into Regional Training Centre (RTC) international programs for NMHS management
Policy Developments
The WMO Guidelines for Public-Private Engagement (WMO-No. 1258) have been revised to provide up-to-date guidance to WMO Members and Regional Associations. The revisions were endorsed by Resolution 26 (EC-78) in June 2024.
Key Updates:
- Incorporation of the WMO Unified Data Policy (Resolution 1 (Cg-Ext(2021)))
- Alignment with the WMO Strategic Plan 2024-2027, which emphasizes scaling up effective partnerships
- Addition of an annex on legislative and institutional frameworks to promote PPE
- Inclusion of case studies and templates from Member countries
Members are encouraged to use these revised Guidelines when establishing collaboration and partnerships at the national level across sectors.
A joint Code of Ethics between WMO and the Hydrometeorological and Environmental Industry Association (HMEI) was developed and endorsed by Resolution 27 (EC-78) in June 2024. The Code was signed by the WMO Secretary-General and the HMEI Chair on June 14, 2024.
Purpose and Principles:
- Outlines essential ethical principles for stakeholder engagement
- Based on the Geneva Declaration 2019 and the United Nations Global Compact's "10 principles"
- Helps maximize mutual benefits of an inclusive approach
- Increases transparency in engagement, policy, and practice
- Enhances socioeconomic benefits of high-quality weather and climate services
Members are encouraged to facilitate dialogue with the private sector to apply these ethical principles in their PPE activities.
Support Mechanisms
Established in May 2023, the PPE Trust Fund provides complementary funding to support the growing PPE activities of WMO. The fund is open for contributions from both public and private sectors.
Fund Utilization:
- Good practices collection and sharing
- Member support and training
- Outreach and advocacy initiatives
- Meetings and other OCP-related activities
Current contributions include CHF 87,000 from the Japanese Government and US$ 60,000 from the Chinese Government.
Future Directions
The RA II is committed to further strengthening public-private engagement in the region through:
- Regular R-OCP sessions in conjunction with or as part of RA II sessions
- Expansion of successful pilot projects to other interested WMO Members
- Continued development of innovative approaches to leverage PPE for enhanced service delivery
- Promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building across the region
Contact Information
For more information about Public-Private Engagement activities in Regional Association II, please contact:
WMO Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific
Email: rao
wmo [dot] int (rao[at]wmo[dot]int)
WMO Public-Private Engagement Office
Email: ppewmo [dot] int (ppe[at]wmo[dot]int)