The range of WMO capacity development activities includes support to countries for framing national legislation covering weather, water and climate activities through to compliance with WMO regulations, education and training, demonstration projects, regional support, research, development partnerships and appropriate institutional arrangements.
The WMO Capacity Development Strategy aims to assist Members by:
- Identifying the services they required from their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services as well as the capacity gaps which limit the delivery of such services
- Addressing gaps in their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services’ ability to comply with WMO Technical Regulations
- Formulating national plans, project/programme or proposals for capacity development and seeking support for their implementation
- Exchanging information on the needs of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and coordinating assistance from other Members and development partners
- Developing and implementing regional and national capacity development projects, especially those which serve to demonstrate socio-economic benefits, innovative approaches and technologies with scientific and technical support to ensure projects and national development activities are in line with WMO Standards
- Advocating for external and internal support
- Promoting international cooperation with development partners and regional and international organizations and
- Building the skills of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services staff.
Capacity Development incldues active engagement with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services – with particular emphasis on the developing countries, least develop countries and small island developing states – to secure development assistance to help them to 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. This assistance can be in the form of direct financing, by a transfer of technology and expertise, and by leveraging strategic partnerships with major development partners such as international development banks, overseas aid agencies, other United Nation agencies and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in developed countries. This work is undertaken in close cooperation with the Regional Offices and Technical Programmes.
The main objectives include:
- Identifying development needs at the regional and national levels with Members and Regional Offices
- Establishing strategic partnerships with development partners and setting-up collaborative arrangements
- Coordinating the elaboration of proposals within the Secretariat for the funding of development projects
- Coordinating of project implementation across Technical Programmes
- Coordinating of accreditation and submission of funding proposals
- Coordinating and streamlining the Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP) in order to expand its support base and accelerate fund allocation processes and timeline
