Wmo

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to international cooperation in meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and related geophysical sciences. It traces its roots to the International Meteorological Organization, founded in 1873, and was established as the WMO in 1950 to oversee global weather, climate, and water-related activities. The organization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has 193 member states and territories.

The WMO’s mission is to ensure the free and timely exchange of weather, climate, and water information and to promote standardized observations, data quality, and reliable services. It supports national meteorological and hydrological services, advances scientific research, and provides authoritative climate and weather data, forecasts, and early warnings that help protect lives, property, and economies and support sustainable development.

Royal governance and structure include the World Meteorological Congress as the supreme decision-making body and the Executive Council, with a Secretariat handling day-to-day operations. The organization coordinates global observing networks and data systems, including the Global Observing System, the Global Telecommunication System for data exchange, and the WMO Information System, along with technical commissions and six regional associations that guide standards and capacity building.

The WMO collaborates with other United Nations agencies, international organizations, and partners to advance weather, climate, and water science, improve forecasts and warnings, monitor climate change, and support disaster risk reduction and development goals worldwide.