World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an
intergovernmental organization with a membership of 182
As weather, climate
and water cycle knows no national boundaries, international cooperation at a
global scale is essential for the development of meteorology and operational
hydrology as well as to reap the benefits from their applications. WMO provides
the framework for such international cooperation.
Since its
establishment, WMO has played a unique and powerful role in contributing to the
safety and welfare of humanity. Under WMO leadership and within the framework
of WMO programmes, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services contribute
substantially to the protection of life and property against natural disasters,
to safeguarding the environment and to enhancing the economic and social
well-being of all sectors of society in areas such as food security, water
resources and transport.
WMO facilitates the free and unrestricted exchange of
data and information, products and services in real- or near-real time on
matters relating to safety and security of society, economic welfare and the
protection of the environment. It contributes to policy formulation in these
areas at national and international levels.
WMO plays a leading
role in international efforts to monitor and protect the environment through
its Programmes. For instance, in collaboration
with UN agencies and the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services
(NMHSs) of its Members, WMO supports the implementation of relevant conventions
such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International
Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Vienna Convention on the
Protection of Ozone Layer and its Protocols and Amendments. WMO is instrumental
in providing advice and assessments to governments on matters relating to the
above Conventions. These activities contribute towards ensuring the sustainable
development and well-being of nations.
In the specific case of weather-, climate and
water-related hazards which account for nearly 90% of all natural disasters,
WMO’s programmes provide vital information for the advance warnings that save
lives and reduce damage to property and the environment. WMO also contributes
to reducing the impacts of human-induced disasters, such as those associated
with chemical and nuclear accidents, forest fire and volcanic ash. Studies have
shown that, apart from the incalculable benefit to human well-being, every
dollar invested in meteorological and hydrological services produces an
economic return many times greater, often ten times or more.
In
addition to its Headquarters in Geneva, the Secretariat
includes Regional Office for Africa (Burundi), Regional Office for Asia and the
South-West Pacific (Switzerland) and Regional Office for Americas (Paraguay);
and Subregional Offices are West Africa (Nigeria), Eastern and Southern Africa
(Kenya), South-West Pacific (Samoa) and for North and Central America and the
Caribbean (Costa Rica), Asia (Bahrain) and Europe (Switzerland).
On two occasions the jubilee of the organization was
celebrated. In 1973 the centenary was commemorated followed by the 50th
anniversary as an organization of the United Nations in 2000.
Links
The official website of WMO.
Article on WMO in Wikipedia.
Flag of WMO in Flags of
the World.
Related subjects
Related person
Stamp catalogue - general issues
Belgium
Stamp catalogue - 50th anniversary
Bangladesh
last revised: