WMO Full Form: Check History, Objective, Members Countries etc.

WMO Full Form: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is an intergovernmental organization with 193 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), planted at the 1873 Vienna International Meteorological Congress. Established by the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23 March 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the world organization for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences a year later.

WMO Overview

The WMO is an intergovernmental economic organization with 38 member countries

What is WMO?

World Meteorological Organization is a specific agency of the UN with 193 Member States and Territories. The UN system’s authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it provides, and the resulting distribution of water resources.

History

The establishment of the World Meteorological Organization in March 1950, following the entry into force of its Convention, and the designation of WMO in 1951 as a specialized agency of the United Nations, heralded a new era for international cooperation in the field of meteorology, hydrology and related geophysical sciences.

WMO Objective

WMO works to facilitate worldwide cooperation within the design and delivery of meteorological services, foster the rapid exchange of meteorological information, advance the standardization of meteorological data, build collaboration between meteorological and hydrological services, encourage research and training in meteorology, and expand the employment of meteorology to profit other sectors like aviation, shipping, agriculture and water management.

Function of WMO

• WMO acts as a central framework where Members, including representatives of National Meteorological and Hydrology Services (NMHSs), can effectively discuss all issues associated with weather, climate and water.
• The WMO is governed by the planet Meteorological Congress, which consists of all WMO Members. The planet Meteorological Congress meets annually to review and provides policy guidance to WMO Programmes.
• The Secretary-General heads the Secretariat, which relies on Geneva. The Secretariat acts as the organization’s administration, documentation and data centre.
• Pressing issues or international emergencies that require to be addressed will be accommodated through existing programmes.

Read also:

WMO Strategic Plan

In this section, we provide information about the WMO strategic plan with the help of a graphical chart; let’s have a look.

Members Countries

In this section, you will get information about the WMO member countries with the date of joining; let’s see.

Read also:

Funding of WMO

• Funding for WMO comes from contributions by its Member States.
• Additionally, WMO receives funding from international organizations, foundations, and donor countries.
• The organization also secures funding through partnerships with various stakeholders in climate and meteorological research.
• WMO may receive grants from governmental and non-governmental entities for specific projects or initiatives.
• Funding for WMO supports its operational activities, research endeavours, capacity-building programs, and the maintenance of its infrastructure and networks.
• WMO continually seeks funding opportunities to enhance its capabilities in monitoring, predicting, and mitigating environmental challenges worldwide.

Advantages & Disadvantages of the World Meteorological Organization

Let’s check some advantages and disadvantages of the World Meteorological Organization mentioned below in the table.

Achievements of WMO

• Establishment of a global network of meteorological stations and observing systems
• Development and maintenance of global standards for meteorological data measurement and reporting
• Provision of technical assistance to member countries for enhancing meteorological services
• Support for reducing risks and impacts of extreme weather events through collaboration with governments and organizations
• Promotion of exchange of meteorological information and data among member countries

Conclusion

In meteorology, hydrology, and related studies, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a key player in developing international cooperation. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has made predicting the weather, early warning systems, and lowering the risk of disasters much better around the world through its large network, attempts to standardize things and technical support. WMO continues to strive for excellence, supporting international collaboration, improving data exchange, and adding to a better knowledge and control of Earth’s atmospheric processes for the benefit of all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the World Meteorological Organization?

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to meteorology (weather), climatology (climate), operational hydrology (water) and other related geophysical sciences such as oceanography and atmospheric chemistry.

When did WMO start?

WMO originates from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which dates back to 1873. The WMO mandate, constituent bodies and procedures are set out in the WMO Convention, which entered into force on 23 March 1950 – a year later, WMO became a specialized agency of the United Nations.

How many states are Members of WMO?

The WMO Membership comprises 187 states and six territories.

Who funds the WMO?

Extrabudgetary expenditures are funded through UNDP, the WMO Voluntary Cooperation Program, and funds-in-trust.

What is the purpose of WMO?

WMO provides world leadership and expertise in international cooperation in the delivery and use of high-quality, authoritative weather, climate, hydrological and related environmental services by its members to improve the well-being of societies of all nations.