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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is the specialized agency of the UN which coordinates and facilitates meteorological, climate and hydrological cooperation between Member States. Its representatives meet every four years at the World Meteorological Congress and in the six regional associations. The agency also has the Executive Council, technical commissions and the Research Board. Its objectives and activities are grouped around three areas: time, water and climate.
An example of scientific cooperation
The origin of the WMO is the International Meteorological Organization (IMO). This dates back to 1873, in Vienna, when the International Meteorological Congress commissioned the Permanent Meteorological Committee to draft the mandate and regulations of an international organization for this field. The result was the founding of the IMO in 1878 with nine member states. The organization was responsible for harmonizing and facilitating the exchange of meteorological information, one of the first fronts of international scientific cooperation with social objectives. Finally, the IMO was incorporated in 1947 into the newly founded United Nations, where it was ratified in 1950.
Today the World Meteorological Organization has 187 member States and six territories. Its representatives meet every four years at the World Meteorological Congress, where they decide the policy and direction of the organization. In parallel, the six regional associations meet – Africa, Asia, South America, North America, Central America and the Caribbean, Southwest Pacific and Europe – which coordinate WMO activities in the respective regions.
The WMO also has an Executive Council, two technical commissions and a Research Board. The Council prepares studies and recommendations for Congress, and coordinates and oversees approved programs. It is made up of a president, three vice presidents, six regional representatives and twenty-seven directors of national meteorological services or agencies elected by Congress. For their part, the two technical commissions and the Research Board bring together experts to carry out this work and disseminate their findings. Finally, the Technical Coordination Committee of the Executive Council acts as a communication channel between the Council and these bodies.
Time, climate and water
The objectives and functions of the World Meteorological Organization revolve around the areas of weather, water and climate. Regarding the first, the organization collects and exchanges real-time weather information to provide reliable weather forecasts to member states. They can be used to anticipate natural disasters, guide activities in sectors such as fishing, energy or agriculture, reinforce food security or reduce risks. Along these lines, the WMO also seeks to contribute to the development of technical, institutional and infrastructure capacities of the Member States.
Secondly, the WMO monitors and promotes water resources management with long-term objectives. This includes warning of floods and droughts, supporting and assisting water management tasks for greater food security, and promoting research and transfer of knowledge and technology. Regarding climate, the WMO collects and processes data, such as its variations, extremes and its impact on the health, security or well-being of societies.
The WMO against climate change
One of the greatest achievements of the World Meteorological Organization is its contribution to the study and awareness of climate change. In 1988, the WMO and the United Nations Environment Program created the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC investigates and offers a scientific vision on climate change and its social, economic and environmental consequences, which awarded it the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. On the other hand, the support of the WMO in cooperation on climate change They have made it a main actor in the fight against its repercussions, for example, as a reference source in the United Nations Conferences on the matter.