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| WMO Regional Office for Africa | |
|---|---|
| Name | WMO Regional Office for Africa |
| Type | Regional office |
| Region served | Africa |
| Parent organization | World Meteorological Organization |
WMO Regional Office for Africa
The WMO Regional Office for Africa serves as the principal regional hub of the World Meteorological Organization for the African Union region, coordinating meteorological, hydrological and climate-related activities across sub-Saharan and North African countries. It provides strategic guidance to national meteorological and hydrological services such as South African Weather Service, Kenya Meteorological Department, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, and liaises with multilateral institutions including the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, and the African Development Bank to strengthen regional resilience to hazards like droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones. The office supports implementation of global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Sustainable Development Goals in African contexts.
The regional office acts as a focal point for technical coordination among national services like Ethiopian National Meteorological Agency, Moroccan National Meteorological Directorate, and Nigerian Hydrological Service while interfacing with international bodies such as the World Climate Research Programme, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Group on Earth Observations, and the Global Framework for Climate Services. It promotes standardized systems drawn from norms of the International Civil Aviation Organization and interoperability with satellite operators like European Space Agency, NASA, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Through collaboration with research institutions such as the African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission, the office helps translate outputs of centers like the Famine Early Warning Systems Network and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society into operational services.
The regional office evolved from early WMO regional groupings established during the post‑war era when agencies including the Royal Meteorological Society and the International Meteorological Organization traditions engaged African counterparts. Milestones included partnerships with the Organisation of African Unity and integration into continental agendas led by entities like the Economic Commission for Africa and the New Partnership for Africa's Development. The office has overseen regional responses to major events such as the Sahel droughts, the East African drought (2010–2012), and cyclones affecting Mozambique and Madagascar, and has coordinated input to technical assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and global emergency responses by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Mandated by the World Meteorological Congress and the Executive Council of the World Meteorological Organization, the regional office implements decisions alongside regional entities like the WMO Regional Association I (Africa), national services including the Zambia Meteorological Department and Ghana Meteorological Agency, and technical partners such as the World Weather Watch and the Global Atmosphere Watch. Its functions encompass policy support, capacity building, operational coordination, and advocacy with stakeholders such as the African Union Commission, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and bilateral partners including the United Kingdom Met Office and Météo-France.
The office serves WMO Members across Africa, including states from Morocco to South Africa and island members like Seychelles and Comoros. Regional governance aligns with WMO structures like Regional Association I (Africa) and subregional groupings that mirror economic blocs such as the Economic Community of West African States and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. Liaison arrangements involve national focal points in ministries and agencies like the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (Kenya), the Ministry of Environment (Tunisia), and the Ministry of Transport (Egypt).
Programs include operationalizing the Global Data-processing and Forecasting System, supporting implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services, enhancing early warning systems exemplified by projects with the Famine Early Warning Systems Network and the Global Flood Awareness System, and coordinating observational networks linked to the Global Atmospheric Watch and the Tropical Cyclone Programme. Services target sectors through partnerships with Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, and International Maritime Organization to provide agro‑meteorological advisories, disease early warnings, and marine forecasts. The office also supports uptake of satellite products from providers like EUMETSAT and NOAA to improve forecasting and climate monitoring.
Capacity development involves collaboration with regional training centres such as the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development, university partners like University of Nairobi, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, and research networks including the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre. Training covers numerical weather prediction, hydrological modelling, climate services co‑production, and WMO standards through tailored courses and fellowships supported by donors such as the World Bank and the European Union. The office also convenes workshops with professional bodies like the Royal Meteorological Society and the American Meteorological Society to advance technical exchange.
Key partnerships include collaborations with continental initiatives such as the Africa Adaptation Initiative, the African Risk Capacity, and programmes by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Joint initiatives link the office with multilateral programmes like the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility, and bilateral cooperation with agencies including Agence Française de Développement and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The office supports cross-sectoral platforms with UNICEF, World Food Programme, and International Organization for Migration to mainstream climate and weather services into humanitarian and development planning.
Category:World Meteorological Organization Category:International organizations based in Africa