PROGRESS REPORT FOR INFORMATION PRESENTED …library.wmo.int/pmb_ged/wmo_1151-p2_en.pdf · PROGRESS...

PROGRESS REPORT FOR INFORMATION PRESENTED AT THE 16TH SESSION OF REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I

(unedited)

World Meteorological Organization RA I-16/INF. 1

REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) Date: 22.XII.2014

Original language: English SIXTEENTH SESSION Praia, Cabo Verde, 3 to 9 February 2015

MATERIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION Venue 1. At the kind invitation of the Government of the Republic of Cabo Verde, the sixteenth session of Regional Association I (Africa) will be held at the Palace of the National Assembly in Praia from 3 to 9 February 2015. The opening ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 3 February 2015. The session will be preceded by a WMO RA I Regional Conference from 1 to 2 February 2015, at the same venue. 2. The main meeting room will be equipped for simultaneous interpretation. Other meeting rooms without interpretation facilities will also be available. Detailed arrangements concerning the allocation of these rooms will be announced during the session. 3. An Information and Registration Desk will be set up at the entrance of the main meeting room at the Palace of the National Assembly to facilitate the registration of participants and provision of general information. Registration of participants 4. Registration for RA I-16 will take place at the registration desk at the main entrance of the main meeting room at the Palace of the National Assembly as from Monday, 2 February 2015, from 16.00, and will continue throughout the session. Participants will receive identification badges at the time of registration. Credentials 5. Pursuant to Regulation 21 of the General Regulations, prior to a session of a constituent body other than the Executive Council, each Member should, if possible, communicate to the Secretary-General the names of the persons composing its delegation to that body, indicating which of these shall be regarded as its principal delegate. Besides this communication, a letter giving these particulars and otherwise conforming with the provisions of the Convention and of these Regulations and signed by, or on behalf of, an appropriate governmental authority of the Member, shall be sent to the Secretary-General or handed to his representative at the session and shall be regarded as appropriate credentials for the participation of the individuals named therein in all activities of the constituent body. List of participants 6. A provisional list of participants will be uploaded on the website of the session. This list will be revised as soon as participants have registered, and a new updated list will be re-uploaded, if necessary. Submission of documents 7. Delegations wishing to submit documents before the session are invited to send them to the WMO Secretariat as soon as possible. According to Regulation 172 of the WMO General Regulations, session documents should be distributed as soon as possible and preferably not later than forty-five days before the opening of the session. Any document presented by a delegation

RA I-16/INF. 1, p. 2 should be submitted in the name of the Member of the Organization and not by an individual person. Distribution of documents 8. Documents will be posted before and during the session on the RA I-16 website, in line with WMO greening efforts to promote paperless meetings. Documentation workflow 9. The presentation of the session documents and organization of the work of the session is explained at the RA I-16 website http://rai-16.wmo.int. The participants are invited to bring their own laptops, as the documents will only be available electronically. Provisional abridged report 10. Approved documents showing amendments will be posted on the RA I-16 website as soon as possible after the session. Approved files of documents discussed during RA I-16 will be placed in the folder “Provisional Final Report” that will appear on RA I-16 website. Internet access and communications 11. Wireless Internet connection will be freely available at the venue. A videoconference connection between the WMO headquarters in Geneva and the main meeting room will be used for certain presentations. Computers with Internet connections will be available at the session venue.

12. Local SIM cards for mobile phones will be available for purchase by participants at the Information and Registration Desk. Entry requirements 13. All participants requiring a visa to enter Cabo Verde should apply for their visa directly from the Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Cabo Verde in their country, or a designated country in cases where no Cabo Verde Embassy or Consulate is available in their own country. Diplomatic and service visas and entry permits, where required, shall be granted free of charge and as speedily as possible for their effective participation throughout the duration of the meeting, provided the application for the visa is made sufficiently in advance, i.e. more than 3 weeks before the beginning of the session. 14. If there is no Embassy or Consulate-General of the Republic of Cabo Verde in the participant’s country, the participants may be able to apply for Visa on Arrival (VoA) by sending prior information, such as the invitation letter from WMO, a letter of visa request and copies of their passport to the Cabo Verde Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica, with a copy to the WMO Secretariat, not later than two weeks prior to the session. Please note that, prior to your departure, you need to obtain confirmation from the Cabo Verde Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica that your application for Visa on Arrival (at Nelson Mandela International Airport, Praia) has already been cleared. 15. A number of Local Organizing Committee staff will be available at the airport to assist participants upon their arrival.

RA I-16/INF. 1, p. 3 Electricity 16. The electrical power supply in Cabo Verde is 220 V, 50 Hz, and electrical sockets (outlets) are mostly of "Type E/F" European CEE 7/4. If the appliance's plug does not match the shape of these sockets, a travel plug adapter is needed in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of the appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket it needs to be plugged into; it is critically important to ensure that the power input specifications are compatible with the available power supply. Banking and Currency 17. There are currency exchange offices in Nelson Mandela International Airport, Praia, as well as in all banks (opening hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The local currency is the Cabo Verde Escudo (CVE) (US$ 1 ≈ 78,740 Escudo; 1 € = 110,265 Escudo). Credit cards are accepted at major hotels. Transportation 18. The participants are responsible for their transport when transfer is not provided by the hotel. Transport will be provided from the hotels to the venue of the session. You are kindly requested to notify the Local Organizing Committee early in advance of any changes in your flight schedule. Local climate in February 19. Climate data in February in Praia, Cabo Verde is listed below: Mean temperature + 23.0°C Mean maximum temperature + 26.9°C Mean minimum temperature + 18.8°C Mean precipitation 0.5 mm Humidity 60.8% Mean sunshine (h) 7.6 h/day Hotel reservation 20. Participants are advised to make their own accommodation bookings well in advance, and not later than 15 January 2015. Appendix A contains a list of recommended hotels in Praia, Cabo Verde, where special rates have been negotiated with some of them. When booking, you must provide details of your credit card for guarantee (type and No., name, expiry date). Bookings shall be made by fax, or e-mail the Hotel Reservation Form contained in Appendix B directly to the hotel, with a copy to the local Organizing Committee for RA I-16. Further information 21. For any further information please contact the WMO Secretariat or the Local Organizing Committee at the following address: Local Organizing Committee for RA I-16 Mr José Pimenta Lima Republic of Cabo Verde Telephone: +238 2411276/ 2411658 Fax: +238 2411294 E-mail: [email protected]

___________

RA I-16/INF. 1, p. 4

APPENDIX A LIST OF RECOMMENDED HOTELS

Accommodation in Praia

Address, e-mail, telephone and fax numbers for

reservation Rate of the Room/Night

Hotel Vista

E-mail: [email protected] telephone:+ 238 260 25 70

Single Room CVE 5.720

75 €

Suite 1 Pax Room

CVE 8.220 78 €

Suite 2 Pax Room

CVE 10.440 99 €

Aparthotel Palmacenter

E-mail: [email protected] Telephone: +238 260 33 60

Fax: + 238 262 02 08

Categoria A Room

CVE 5.900 61.2 €

Twin Room CVE 6.500

67.2 €

Apartamento T1

Duplo Room CVE 7.000

72.2 €

Apartamento T1 Twin Room CVE 8.500

87.2 €

Apartamento T2

Room CVE 11.500

117.2 €

Apartamento T3

Room CVE 14.000

142.2 €

Suite Presidencial CVE 10.000

Oásis PraiaMar

E-mail: reservas.praiamar@oasisatlanti

co.com Telephone: +238 60 84 40

Fax:+238 242 12 10

STANDARD Room

Single/Duplo CVE 9.240/ 11.550

83.80/ 104.75 €

Q.Superior Single/Duplo

CVE 10.600/14.6000 96.00 / 132.00 €

Q. Superior Vista Mar Room

Single/Duplo CVE 12.950 /16.250

117.44 /146.96 €

Suite Room Single/Duplo

CVE 18.304 /21.502 166.00 / 195.00 €

Suite Presidencial Single

CVE 31.426 275.00 €

Suite Presidencial

Duplo CVE 40.467

367.00 €

Pestana Trópico

E-mail:. [email protected];

[email protected] Telephone: + 238 261 42 00

Fax: + 238 261 52 25

Strandard Room

Vista Piscina Individual/Duplo

(twin) CVE 14.700/18.200

133 /165 €

Standard Vista Piscina com

Varanda Individual/Duplo (twin)

CVE 16.900/20.000 153 /181 €

Executivo Vista Mar

Individual/Duplo (twin)

CVE19.200/22.800 174 / 206 €

Suite Júnior Individual/

Duplo (twin) CVE 21.000/25.000

190 / 225 €

Suite Clássica CVE 26.500

240 €

Suite Mezzanine

CVE 26.500 240 €

Suite Ilhéu CVE 36.000

325 €

Suite Oceano CVE 36.000

325 €

RA I-16/INF. 1, p. 5

Accommodation in Praia

Address, e-mail, telephone and fax numbers for

reservation Rate of the Room/Night

Hotel Sol

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: + 238 262 21 88

Mobile: + 238 91 33 471/ 91 86 392

Single Standard(Double

Bed) CVE 4.696

45 €

Double Standard CVE 6.348

60 €

Single Especial(Double Bed)

CVE 5.217 50 €

Double Especial CVE 6.870

65 €

Hotel Santiago E-mail: [email protected] tel: + 238 260 49 80

Single Standard CVE 6.305

63 €

Twin CVE 8.270

83 €

Suite Room CVE 10.850

108 €

Standard Duplo CVE 9.140

91 €

Single Twin CVE 8.220

83.00 €

Hotel Pérola

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel:+ 238 260 14 40/ 260 14 42 Fax: +238 260 14 48

Single DB / CVE 5.45052 €

Single vista mar CVE 7.200

69 €

Twiin /Duplo CVE 8.800

84€

Suite Júnior CVE 9.400

92€

Suite Master CVE10.500

100€

Vip praia Hotel E-mail:

[email protected] tel: +238 260 3280/1/2

Duplo/Twin Standard

CVE 10.400 94 €

Single Standart CVE 8.944

81 €

Duplo/Twin Vista Mar CVE-11.264

102 €

Single Vista Mar CVE 9.686

88 €

Suite Master – Duplo

CVE 36.800 334 €

Suite Master Simgle

CVE 31.646 287 €

Suite Junior Duplo

CVE 20.000 181 €

Suite Junior - Single

CVE 17.200 156 €

Hotel Roterdão


Tel: +238 260 29 00 Fax: + 238 260 29 05

Single CVE 4.170

40 € Especial

Twin Duplo CVE 5.500

62 € Especial

Single/Especial CVE 5.500

55 €

Single/Especial Duplo

CVE 6.500 64 €

Pensão Benfica

E-Mail: [email protected]

Tel: +238 262 93 13 Fax: +238 262 72 26


48 €

Duplo CVE 6.765

64 €

GamboDjeu Aparthotel


Tel:+238 2600295/96 Fax:+238 2600297


54 €

Duplo CVE 6.900

63 €

APT T2 1 PAX CVE 8.500

78 €


109 €


128 €


156 €


165 €

RA I-16/INF. 1, p. 6

APPENDIX B

HOTEL RESERVATION FORM

Participants attending RA I-16 are welcome to make their hotel reservation directly with the hotel by fax or mail, by returning the form no later than 15 January 2015. Do not forget to copy the focal point of the Local Organizing Committee at: Local Organizing Committee for RA I-16 Mr José Pimenta Lima Republic of Cabo Verde Telephone: +238 2411276/ 2411658 Fax: +238 2411294 E-mail: [email protected]

Name ____________________________________________________________

Country ____________________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________

Tel. No. ____________________________________________________________

Fax No. ____________________________________________________________

E-mail ____________________________________________________________

Flight No. Date Time Arrival ______________ _______________ ____________

Departure ______________ _______________ ____________

Please reserve

Name of hotel: _______________________________________________________ Please specify one of the recommended hotels

Category of Room to define: Single ( ) Twin ( )

Check-in date ____________________________________________________________

Check-out date ____________________________________________________________

Credit card details for guarantee:

Type ____________________________ Number ________________________________

Name ____________________________Expiry Date _______________________________

Date ____________________________ Signature ________________________________


REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) Date: 26.I.2015


TENTATIVE WORK PLAN Subsequent revisions to the work plan will be made only on the google calendar of the RA I-16 session that can be found at: https://sites.google.com/a/wmo.int/ra-i-16/home.

___________

Appendix: 1 (available in English only)

RA I-16/INF. 2, p. 2

APPENDIX

Tentative Work Plan Sixteenth session of Regional Association I (Africa)

Praia, Cabo Verde, 3 to 9 February 2015

Tuesday 3 February 2015

Wednesday 4 February 2015

Thursday 5 February 2015

Friday 6 February 2015

Saturday 7 February 2015

Sunday 8 February

2015

Monday 9 February 2015

All items will be discussed in Plenary meetings

a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m.

General Plenary Items: 1, 2, 3, 5-13 Chairperson: president/

vice-president

1

2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

3

5.2*

5.1

5.3(1)*

7.1 7.2

6

8

5.2

5.3(1) 5.3(2)

11

9

10

D

D

D 12

13

Plenary A Items: 4.1, 4.2, 4.4 Chairperson: …………………..

4.2

4.1(2)

4.4(1) 4.4(2) 4.4(3)

4.4(4) 4.4(5)

4.1(1) 4.1(3) 4.1(4) 4.1(5)

Plenary B Items: 4.3, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 Chairperson: …………………..

4.3(2) 4.3(1) 4,3(3)

4.5(1)

4,5(2) 4.5(3) 4.5(4)

4.6(1) 4.6(2) 4.6(3)

4.7(1) 4.7(2)

Explanatory notes: D: Consideration of outstanding in-session draft decisions: Draft 2, Draft 3, … Final Draft. (formerly called working papers and PINKs) *: To appoint a committee


Submitted by: Secretary-General REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) Date: 12.IX.2014

Original Language: English SIXTEENTH SESSION Praia, Cabo Verde, 3 to 9 February 2015

LIST OF REGIONAL EVENTS IN RA I (2010–2014)

RA I-16/INF. 3, p. 2

2010 Commission for Basic Systems Extraordinary Session CBS-Ext.(10) and Technical Conference “End-to-End Service Delivery: From Observations to Services, the Way Users Need Them”, Windhoek, Namibia, 19–20 November 2010 2011 Workshop on "Achieving Benefits of Enhanced Service Delivery by National Metrological and Hydrological Services in Eastern and Southern Africa", held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania from 21-24 February 2011 Climate and Health in Africa: 10 years on, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 4-6 April 2011 Mobile Weather Alert (MWA): Uganda Pilot Project Stakeholders Management Workshop, held in Kampala, Uganda from 5-6 May 2011 Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project (SWFDP) - RA I Eastern Africa Developers Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya, 9-11 May 2011 SWFDP RA I Eastern Africa Regional Sub- Project Management Team, Nairobi, Kenya, 21-24 June 2011 15th Ordinary Session of the ACMAD Governing Board & the 3rd Meeting of AEWACS Steering Committee, Addis Ababa, 28–30 June 2011 14th Regional Climate Outlook Forum for West Africa, Cameroon and Chad (PREASAO-14), with theme “Optimization of Seasonal Climate Change for sustainable Development”, held in Abuja from 22-23 June 2011 SWFDP- Southern Africa, Meeting of the Regional Technical Implementation Team, Vacoas, Mauritius, 19-22 July 2011 Meeting of the Commission on the AGRHYMET Data Charter held from 10-12 October 2011 Workshop on Coordination and Partnership for Enhancing the Benefits of Weather, Climate and Water-related Services in the Development of LDCs in Africa and the Meeting on Capacity Development in the Meteorological and Hydrological Services of LDCs in Africa, 9-11 November 2011, Cotonou, Benin RA I Management Group Meeting held in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe from 14-16 November 2011 14th Regional Climate Outlook Forum for West Africa, Cameroon and Chad (PREASAO-14), with theme “Optimization of Seasonal Climate Change for sustainable Development”, held in Abuja from 22-23 June 2011 SWFDP, RA I Eastern Africa, Training Workshop, Arusha, Tanzania, 21 November-2 December 2011 Meeting of the Commission for Basic Systems Open Programme Area Group on Public Weather Services Expert Team on Communication, Outreach and Public Education Aspects of Public Weather Services, Mombasa, Kenya, 5-9 December 2011 National workshop on the launch of the Working Group on climate and health, held in Nouakchott, Mauritania, from 28 June-29, 2011

RA I-16/INF. 3, p. 3

RANET Workshop on Delivery of Severe Weather Services to Rural Communities in Support of the SWFDP – Eastern Africa; and Side Meeting of the RANET-Africa Leadership Team (RALT), Nairobi, Kenya. 5-9 December, 2011 2012 SWFDP- RA I Eastern Africa NWP/Web Developers Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya, 14-16 March 2012 Nigeria Meteorological Agency presentation of Seasonal Rainfall Forecast for Nigeria for the year 2012 held in Abuja on 21 March 2012. 27th FAO Regional Conference for Africa, and meeting of Ministers in charge of Agriculture held in Brazzaville, Congo from 23-27 April 2012 Tenth meeting of the Committee of Directors of the National Meteorological services of ECOWAS Member States held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from 11 to 13 July 2012 12th RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South West Indian Ocean, Maputo, Mozambique, 3– 7 September 2012 RA I Task team Meeting on WIGOS, Nairobi, Kenya, 17–21 September 2012 16th Ordinary Session of the ACMAD Governing Board, Brazzaville, Congo, 17–22 September 2012 Second African Conference of Ministers of Meteorology (AMCOMET-2) Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 15 to 19 October 2012 10th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1–5 October 2012 AFRIMET Conference of Directors, Boadilla del Monte, Spain, 22-24 October 2012 31st Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority held in Cote d’Ivoire from 26 to 30 October 2012 4th Meteorological Association of Southern Africa Board Meeting, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, 3–14 March 2012 13th Session of RCM-Africa and 8th Meeting of AMESD Programme Steering Committee, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 12–16 November 2012 SWFDP- RA I Eastern Africa Training Workshop, Entebbe, Uganda, 19-30 November 2012 2013 The Sixth Joint Annual Meetings of the AU Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development held in Abidjan from 21-26 March 2013 National Summit on Innovative Funding of the Water Sector held in Abuja, Nigeria, from 17-19 February 2013 and visit of Mr Jeremiah Lengoasa, Deputy Secretary-General of WMO during the summit to the Headquarters of Nigeria Meteorological Agency on the 19 February 2013 58th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission held in Abuja Nigeria from 29 April to 1 May 2013

RA I-16/INF. 3, p. 4

9th Annual ECOWAS-Development Partners Coordination Meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria from April 8-10 April 2013 16th Regional Climate Outlook Forum (PRESAO-16) for West Africa, Cameroon and Chad held in Abuja, Nigeria from 30-31 May 2013 5th Meteorological Association of Southern Africa Board Meeting, Maputo, Mozambique, 25– 26 April 2013 17th Ordinary Session of the ACMAD Governing Board, Nairobi, Kenya. 18-19 April 2013 Meeting of the Regional Subproject Management Team of the SWFDP for Eastern Africa, Arusha, Tanzania, 27-31 May 2013 Meeting of Heads of Met. Services and Validation Workshop for the Draft 5 years Met. Dev. Plan & Invest. Strategy, Arusha, Tanzania, 29–31 May 2013 WMO RA I Sub-regional WIGOS Workshop for Southern Africa, 5–7 June 2013, Harare, Zimbabwe Meeting on Data Digitization & Geo-Spatial Database Development Workshop. Imperial Hotel, Kisumu, Kenya, 15–17 July 2013 7th Meteorological Association of Southern Africa Board and Annual General Meeting, Lilongwe, Malawi, 24–27July, 2013 The Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 35) 21-23 August 2013, Boma Inn, Eldoret, Kenya The Preparatory Arrangement Meeting for the High Level Meeting on “Improving Weather and Climate Services for the South Sudan Society and Economy”, Juba, South Sudan, 17–20 September, 2013 Regional Technical Implementation Team of SWFDP- SA, RSMC Pretoria, South Africa Stakeholders Workshop on the use of the new products and services offered to the health sector by the Direction de la Météorologie du Madagascar (DGM) held in Antananarivo, Madagascar on 14 October 2013 Fifth Special Session of AMCEN from 15-18 October 2013 in Gaborone, Botswana Enhanced NAtional ClimaTe Services (ENACTS) Workshops for Madagascar and the United Republic of Tanzania held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania from 16-17 October 2013 The Sixth RA I Training Course on Tropical Cyclones and Public Weather Services held in Saint Denis, La Réunion, France from 28 October-8 November 2013 The High-Level Meeting on Improving Weather and Climate Services for the South Sudan Society and Economy Juba, South Sudan 7-8 November 2013 Seminar on "Social and Economic Benefits of Service Delivery for Meteorological and Hydrological Services" held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 11-15 November 2013 Southern Africa Training Workshop on Severe Weather Forecasting and Warning Services held in Pretoria, South Africa from 11-22 November 2013

RA I-16/INF. 3, p. 5

RA I Eastern Africa SWFDP Training Workshop, Bujumbura, Burundi, 11-22 November 2013 The first MESA Steering Committee Meeting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23–25 November 2013 14th Session of the RCM of the UN agencies working in support of the AUC and NEPAD, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 20–23 November 2013 Real Time data Monitoring, Operations and Heads of Meteorological Services Meeting, Mwanza, Tanzania, 30 November–8 December 2013 RA I Subregional WIGOS/WIS Workshop for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 12–15 November 2013 RA I Subregional WIGOS/WIS Workshop for the North Africa, Casablanca, Morocco, 18– 21 November 2013 2014 5th Africa Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, Abuja, Nigeria, 13-16 May 2014 The 7th Joint AUC-ECA Meeting of Ministers of Economy and Finance held in Abuja, Nigeria from 25-30 March 2014 The Fifth Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa of United Nations agencies and organization working in Africa in support of the African Union and its NEPAD programme held in Abuja from 28-30 March 2014 11th Meeting of Committee of Directors of Meteorology of ECOWAS Member States was held in Banjul, The Gambia from 13-15 May 2014 Meeting on Harmonization of Regional and National Strategies with the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate services) and Validation of the draft Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan held in Banjul, The Gambia from 15-16 May 2014 Inaugural CLIMSOFT Steering Committee meeting, Nairobi, Kenya 28–29 July, 2014 Fifteenth Session of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN), 8–12 September 2014, El Gouna, EGYPT. Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 36) Entebbe, Uganda 26-28 February 2014 126th Meeting of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) to UNEP 24-28 March, 2014, Nairobi, Kenya Africa Working Group (Extended) Meeting For Disaster Risk Reduction, ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria 11-12 March 2014 Meeting of Heads of Meteorological Services and Joint EAC/WCRP/WWRP workshop for the proposed Lake Victoria field programme and nowcasting project, held in Arusha, Tanzania from 5- 7 May 2014 5th Africa Regional Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, Abuja, Nigeria, 13-16 May 2014

RA I-16/INF. 3, p. 6

International Conference on Recovery and Digitization of climate heritage in the Indian Ocean rim Countries and Islands, Maputo, Mozambique, 21–24 April 2014 UNEP-UNDP-WMO Round table event on strengthening development of Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, 20 to 21 May 2014 Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 37) Khartoum Sudan, 25–26 May 2014 Caast-Net plus Regional Workshop on Climate Change in Collaboration with the Republic of Rwanda’s Ministry of Education Sportsview Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda. 28 to 30 May 2014. WMO RA I Subregional WIGOS Workshop for the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS / CEMAC), Brazzaville, Congo, 29 April–2 May 2014 WMO RA I Subregional WIGOS Workshop for East African Community (EAC), 2–5 June 2014, Arusha, the United Republic of Tanzania Regional Workshop on Capacity Development for Disaster Risk Reduction in West Africa, Dakar, Senegal, 10–11 June 2014 The first session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of the United Nations Environment Programme at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, 23- 27 June 2014 18th Ordinary Session of the ACMAD Governing Board, Niamey, Niger, 24–25 July 2014 Consultation meeting for the development of the Marine Communication for Safety on the Lake Victoria AFDB Project in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, 5-8 August, 2014. Ministerial Conference on New Partnerships for the Development of Productive Capacities in LDCs, Cotonou, Benin, 28–31 July 2014 Supported Tanzania Meteorological Agency in the facilitation of the GFCS awareness programme to the Disaster Relief Committee in Dar es Salaam, 14 August, 2014 Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 38) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25–26 August 2014 11th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, 8–12 September 2014

__________

World Meteorological Organization RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3)

Submitted by: Secretary-General REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) Date: 28.I.2015


EXPECTED RESULT 4

AGENDA ITEM 4.4: WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM (WIGOS) AND WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM (WIS)

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 2

WMO Aircraft Based Observations

Programme

Regional Implementation Plan

WMO Region I

Version Draft 9 16 January 2015

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 3

Contents 1. Introduction ..........................................................................................................................4 2. Scope...................................................................................................................................5 3. Aims and Objectives ............................................................................................................5 4. Global ABO Development Strategy .....................................................................................6

Background Documents and References ............................................................................6 5. Regional Considerations......................................................................................................7

5.1 Current Status of AMDAR and Aircraft-based Observations in WMO Region I .............7 5.1.1 AMDAR Observations .............................................................................................7 5.1.2 Other Members of WMO Region I (as of September 2014) ..................................11 5.1.3 Other Sources of ABO Data ..................................................................................11

5.2 Upper Air Data Coverage in WMO Region I. ...............................................................11 5.3 Requirements for Upper Air Data Coverage Improvement ..........................................13 5.4 Analysis of AMDAR Candidate Regional and National Airlines ...................................16 5.5 Analysis of Other Aircraft-based Observations Data Sources .....................................23 5.6 Infrastructure Issues.....................................................................................................27 5.7 Communications and Data Service Provider Issues ....................................................28

6. Implementation Plan ..........................................................................................................32 6.1 Strategy and Approach to Regional Development .......................................................32 6.2 Stakeholders, Management and Coordination.............................................................37 6.3 Resources ....................................................................................................................38 6.4 Activities and Tasks .....................................................................................................38

Appendix I – Stakeholder Contacts .......................................................................................50

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 4

1. Introduction Up until 2012, the WMO AMDAR Panel1 was responsible for the development and maintenance of the Global AMDAR Programme2 on behalf of WMO Members. In 2012 at its final and 15th session, the Panel formally handed over responsibility for the AMDAR observing system and aircraft-based observations to the World Weather Watch Programme (WWW) and the WMO Technical Commissions, CBS and CIMO. A team has been formed within each of the commissions, together forming the Aircraft-Based Observations Programme3 (ABOP) and now having responsibility for the maintenance and evolution of the Aircraft-Based Observing System (ABOS), including AMDAR. At its first session in September 2013, the CBS Expert Team on Aircraft-Based Observing Systems (ET-ABO) approved the Aircraft-Based Observations Programme Strategy and Implementation Plan to 2025 (A-SIP). The A-SIP provides the strategy and plan for development of the aircraft-based observing system ABOS and the AMDAR observing system in response to the set of 6 high-level global actions for Aircraft Meteorological Stations, of the CBS Implementation Plan for Evolution of the Global Observing System (EGOS-IP)4. These actions are summarized as:

1) G19: Improve AMDAR Coverage. 2) G20: Extend coverage of existing programs outside national boundaries and extend

optimization capability. 3) G21: Work towards extension of AMDAR into aviation standards and systems (avionics and

airframes). 4) G22: Validation and implementation of water vapour measurement. 5) G23: Implementation of turbulence and icing capability. 6) G24: Extend AMDAR to regional airlines and aircraft and provide data coverage at regional

airports. The A-SIP strategy for ABOS development will support and rely upon a regional approach to planning and implementation through the WMO Regional Associations and will also provide requested support directly to those individual NMHSs that have demonstrated capability and drive to establish AMDAR programmes. This document provides the Aircraft-Based Observations Regional Implementation Plan (A-RIP) for WMO Region I. This A-RIP will support and contribute to the development of the WMO Global AMDAR Programme and other aircraft-based observing systems, in line with the EGOS-IP and the A-SIP.

1 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/GOS/ABO/AMDAR/panel/AMDAR_Panel.html 2 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/GOS/ABO/AMDAR/index_en.html 3 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/GOS/ABO/ABOWorkTeams.html 4 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/GOS/ABO/ABO_EGOS-IP.html

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2. Scope This A-RIP is aligned with the A-SIP and the global EGOS-IP. Its scope is limited to the WMO Region I, which comprises all the countries on the African continent as well as the six island nations to the east and west of the continent. This document considers, as of August 2014, the status of developed and developing national AMDAR programs in Region I, existing Upper Air data coverage and gaps, and strategy and plans for the development and implementation or expansion of ABOS/AMDAR to help fill the identified gaps. In addition to the conventional basic AMDAR system based on ACARS, it includes considerations for water vapour measurements (utilizing WVSS-II sensors) and the derivation of ABO data from additional or alternative observing systems such as TAMDAR (Panasonic), AFIRS (FLYHT) and ICAO Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS).

3. Aims and Objectives This A-RIP for WMO Region I is in line with the global A-SIP and the Region I EGOS-IP. As such the aim of the document is to:

1. Develop and implement a strategy and plan for the improvement of upper-air data coverage over WMO Region I through the implementation of Aircraft-based Observing Systems such as AMDAR;

2. Dedicate significant educational and outreach efforts to the African Member States, primarily targeting the NMHSs, the national and regional Air Transport Authorities and Air Navigation System Operators, and Airlines;

3. Establish collaboration and partnership on ABO, including AMDAR, with WMO Region I and their national NMHSs, and the aviation community, including Airlines, Air Transport Authorities, Air Navigation System Operators, Datalink Service Providers, Aircraft Manufacturers, and Avionics Providers;

4. Where possible and agreed, take a regional, collaborative approach to ABO systems development and implementation, taking advantage of economic efficiencies and advantages associated with: a. hardware and infrastructure costs and redundancy reduction; b. global and regional standardization and data exchange; c. a united and more convincing approach to the aviation industry; and, d. utilization of both national and domestic aircraft fleets to provide improved regional

data coverage. Shorter-term and more detailed aims are provided in Section 6.

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4. Global ABO Development Strategy The strategy to extend global AMDAR coverage, particularly over upper-air data sparse and developing areas is based upon the following:

• The Aircraft-Based Observations Programme Strategy and Implementation Plan (A-SIP). • Use experience and best practice of regional and national AMDAR programmes as a model

for global expansion. The ideal and most efficient programme would be expected to incorporate a regional (multi-national) data processing centre with data optimization functionality.

• The ABOP will endeavour to develop and nurture a regional approach to ABO and AMDAR programme implementation through WMO Regional Associations but also provide requested support directly to those individual NMHSs that have demonstrated capability and drive to establish AMDAR programmes.

• A WMO AMDAR Development Officer (ADO) will be available to work with RAs and NMHSs to: (1) provide ongoing, dedicated development and technical support; (2) assist putting in place RA AMDAR Implementation Plans; and (3) provide assistance to develop business cases to motivate airline cooperation and other plans as needed.

• ET-ABO, SO/ARO and ADO will work towards the development of Aircraft-Based Observations Regional Implementation Plans (A-RIPs) that will be incorporated into the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plans (R-WIPs).

• WMO Members and Regional Associations will take advantage of new and additional opportunities for derivation of aircraft-based observations from:

o Other 3rd party ABO systems, currently including TAMDAR (Panasonic) and AFIRS (FLYHT); and

o ICAO systems, currently including ADS-C and Mode S. • WMO Members and Regional Associations will take advantage of the ABOP Training and

Outreach activities and resources including: o The holding of workshops and training seminars; and o Access to materials that promote, encourage and enable national and regional

programme development and expansion.

Background Documents and References

● WIGOS Development and Implementation Strategy (WDIS, Cg-XVI document 11.3). ● WIGOS Framework Implementation Plan. ● Regional WIGOS Implementation Plan for Region I. ● Implementation Strategy and Implementation Plan to 2025 for the Aircraft-Based

Observations Programme, Including Development and Expansion of AMDAR (A-SIP) ● AMDAR Coverage & Targeting for Future Airline Recruitment in AMDAR data sparse

regions (consultant’s report).

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5. Regional Considerations The requirements, resources, technical infrastructure and other conditions for establishing aircraft-based observations programmes differ between Regions. Some Regions already have well-established AMDAR programmes with good geographic coverage but this is not the case in the Region I where only one AMDAR programme, the South African AMDAR (SA AMDAR) is operational. With only one programme in the WMO Region I, this leaves vast areas with limited or no upper-air ABO data coverage.

5.1 Current Status of AMDAR and Aircraft-based Observations in WMO Region I

5.1.1 AMDAR Observations WMO Region I comprises all the African Member States including the surrounding Islands, e.g. the Cabo Verde in the northwest; Sao Tome and Principe, and St Helena in the west; the Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius in the east; etc. As of January 2014 the South Africa (SA) AMDAR Programme was the only operational programme in the WMO Region I with South African Airways (SAA) being the sole airline partner participating. The SA AMDAR programme has also established collaboration with the E-AMDAR, USA and Australia for the collection of aircraft observational data over the Region. Endeavours are being made to recruit more airlines to the AMDAR programme within Region I, which will form part of the plans within this document. Figure 1 below displays the coverage of AMDAR profiles over Africa. Colours of the dots correspond to daily frequencies of AMDAR profiles:

• Yellow = less than 1 profile per day • Green = 1-7 profiles per day • Blue = 8-24 profiles per day • Purple = greater than 24 profiles per day

Statistics are based on weekly profiles ingested by NOAA/ESRL/GSD (http://amdar.noaa.gov/new_soundings/?O=D) for 7 days up to and including 15 September, 2013.

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Figure 1: Map displaying airports providing AMDAR profiles over Africa. Colors represent daily frequency of profiles over a one week period up to and including 26 January, 20145. Figure 2 shows all AMDAR observations globally during a 24 hour period, which includes the contribution of the South African, SAA AMDAR programme.

Figure 2, total global aircraft-based observations for the 24 hour period, 7 January 2015

5 Source: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/GOS/ABO/data/ABO_Data_Statistics.html

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South Africa AMDAR Status Figure 3 shows the 24-hour ABO coverage over the African region as at January 2015. Data is provided predominantly by the SA, SAA AMDAR programme, with some data provided also by E-AMDAR, chiefly in the north of Africa. A small amount of data is also provided by other AMDAR programmes.

Figure 3, aircraft-based observations coverage for the 24-hour period of 7th January 2015. The SA AMDAR Programme is still developing and currently consists of 54 aircraft operated by South African Airways (SAA) – see Table 1 below.

2013 SA AMDAR

Operational Fleet Airline

Country of Airline

Aircraft Type

(e.g. B737-400)

Number of Aircraft

contributing

AMDAR Software

Format On GTS (BUFR / FM42)

South African Airways (SAA)

Republic of South Africa

(RSA) A340-600 9 Amdar3 AAA

SAA RSA A340-300 6 Amdar3 AAA



SAA RSA A320-200 2 Amdar3 AAA Table1. SA airline(s) with its aircraft models and numbers contributing to the SA AMDAR Programme. Source: SA AMDAR status report submitted to the first session of the CBS ET-ABO. Table 2 below shows the number of vertical profiles per day at the aerodromes at which the SAA fleet provides AMDAR for. On average, approximately 125 profiles per day are being generated by the programme at the locations indicated in red in Figure 4 below.

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Airport Country Airport Name ICAO location indicator

Airport ID (IATA) Profiles per day

South Africa Cape Town FACT CPT 11.3 South Africa East London FAEL ELS 3.2

South Africa Durban FALE DUR 9.0

South Africa JOHANNESBURG FAOR JNB 72.9 South Africa Port Elizabeth FAPE PLZ 4.1

Mozambique Maputo FQMA MPM 2.2 Zimbabwe Harare FVHA HRE 1.6

Kenya Nairobi HKNA NBO 3.0 Tanzania Dar-‐es-‐Salaam HTDA DAR 6.4

Zambia LUSAKA FALLS LUN 1.2

Uganda Entebbe HUEN EBB 1.6 Mauritius Port Louis FIMP MRU 1.5

Angola LUANDA FNLU LAD 1.6 Senegal Dakar GOOY DKR 5.4 Table 2. Aerodromes in which the SAA fleet participating in the SA AMDAR programme operate within the WMO RA I (data for the month of December 2014).

Figure 4, South Africa AMDAR Programme airport coverage for vertical profiles at December, 2014.

FAPE

FACT

FAEL

FALE

FAOR

FAGG

FAWW FBS

K

FVHA

FQMA

FLLS

HKNA

HTDA FNL

U

HUEN

GOOY

FWKI

GVAC

FIMP

DENOTES AERODROMES GENERATING AIRCRFT DATA FOR THE SA-AMDAR PROGRAMME DENOTES AERODROMES ISSUING OTHER SURFACE AVIATION MET DATA (TAF AND METAR)

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Future Plans for SA AMDAR:

• SA AMDAR has interest in developing an AMDAR data optimization capacity for its programme, pending its anticipated expansion and the future developments of the new AMDAR programmes in the WMO Region I.

• There are currently 36 SAA aircraft participating in the AMDAR Programme. Two additional

Airbus will be added to the fleet within the next six months. These two will be enabled for the SA AMDAR Programme. An additional 15 aircraft are planned within the next 3-4 years.

• The SA is planning to take steps to increase AMDAR data coverage over data-sparse

areas of WMO Region I to complement the diminished radiosonde soundings data in the region.

• The SA continues to seek new opportunities to promote AMDAR and ABOP, including the

measurement of water vapour and turbulence.

5.1.2 Other Members of WMO Region I (as of September 2014)6 Other Members of the WMO Region I include: Algeria; Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Cabo Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Congo; Cote d’Ivoire; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Egypt; Eritrea; Ethiopia; France; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Morocco; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Portugal; Rwanda; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Sudan; Spain; Sudan; Swaziland; Togo; Tunisia; Uganda; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia; and Zimbabwe. While several Member NMHSs have expressed a desire to implement AMDAR programmes and their partner airlines have also expressed an interest in participating, there are no new programmes currently under development.

5.1.3 Other Sources of ABO Data Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) is used by many Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP) in the WMO Region I, however currently no meteorological data is being derived from ADS-C provided on the GTS by Region I ATM sources.

5.2 Upper-Air Data Coverage in WMO Region I In principle all upper-air observing technologies along with the types and characteristics of the data they provide should be included in an analysis of the current capacity of upper-air data coverage over WMO Region I. Therefore, in such an analysis, not only the contributions of radiosondes and 6 List taken from http://www.wmo.int/pages/members/region1_en.html

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ABOS would have to be considered but also those of all in-situ and remote sensing from space, air and the ground in a composite manner. That would thus also have to include satellites with instruments in visible, UV, IR, Microwave bands, ground-based radars, GNSS systems (Radio-Occultation), wind profilers, RASS, ground-based lidars and ceilometers, ground-based radiometers, etc. This version of the ABOP IP for WMO Region I only considers the current status of radiosondes and AMDAR for now. A deeper analysis of current upper air data coverage will require input from the WMO Region I Task Team on Regional WIGOS Implementation, responsible for the development of the Region I WIGOS-IP, the integration of WIGOS Region I network components, and the evolution of their regional networks according to EGOS-IP. Figure 5 below presents the global distribution of radiosondes valid in mid-October 2011. The area covered by WMO Region I shows a significant number of silent radiosondes stations.

Figure 5. Global distribution of radiosondes sites valid in mid-October 2011. Source: ftp://ftp.wmo.int/GTS_monitoring/AGM/From_WMO/201110/ANALYSIS/maps/temp/temp-chart.pdf The Figures 1 and 5 above can be used in combination to get a sense of upper-air sounding data obtained from radiosondes and aircraft in WMO Region I. It can also be noted from the figures the significant role played by the AMDAR data coverage in supplementing the conventional upper-air system, given the silent nature of the reporting upper-air stations in the WMO Region I. AMDAR data has been confirmed to be of high quality through studies and has been found to be equally suitable for use in all operational meteorological applications, including the climate record that use radiosonde sounding. Figure 6 below is a schematic presenting differences in a typical aircraft ascent, aircraft descent and radiosonde ascent. In reality a typical "weather balloon" sounding can last in excess of two hours, and can ascend to over 35 km (about 115,000 feet) and drift more than 300 km (160 NM) from the release point.

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Figure 6. Schematic comparison of the characteristics of a typical aircraft ascent, aircraft descent and radiosonde ascent

5.3 Requirements for Upper-Air Data Coverage Improvement The majority of radiosonde upper-air observing stations within Region I are silent, leaving a massive area over this WMO Region without upper-air data coverage. The implementation or and expansion of the existing AMDAR programme in the WMO Region I is aimed at addressing this deficiency by supporting the unstable conventional upper air approach posed by the continued unavailability of this valuable data in the Region from the silent stations. Relative to the requirements of regional scale Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) that are aiming at upper-air observations with a horizontal spatial resolution of 250 km and observing cycle of 3 hours, and taking into consideration the silent station in the region, it can be noticed right away that Upper Air soundings from radiosonde and AMDAR seem to be:

• Moderately sparse over southern and northern parts of the Africa continent; • Generally sparse to very spare over the central parts of the WMO Region I.

WMO maintains an official repository of requirements for observation of physical variables in support of WMO Programmes and co-sponsored Programmes. The database is available at http://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/observingrequirements. These requirements are maintained by the focal points designated for the set of application areas listed in Table 3 below.

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 14

No. Application Area No. Application Area 1 Global NWP 7 Ocean Applications

2 High Resolution NWP 8 Agricultural Meteorology

3 Nowcasting & Very Short-Range Forecasting (VSRF) 9

Hydrology (Hydrological information only; water quality monitoring and information is currently excluded)

4 Seasonal to Inter-annual Forecasts

10 Climate Monitoring

5 Aeronautical Meteorology 11 Climate Applications

6 Atmospheric Chemistry 12 Space Weather

Table 3. The 12 recognized WMO Application Areas The requirements database is the foundation of the Rolling Requirements Review (RRR) process (http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/GOS-RRR.html) overviewed by the Inter-Programme Expert Team on Observing System Design and Evolution (IPED-OSDE) of CBS. The RRR describes data requirements, which are expressed in terms of space/time resolution, uncertainty, timeliness, etc., for each of the required observed variables, and are measures independent of observing technology. The Implementation Plan for the Evolution of Global Observing Systems (EGOS-IP) (http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/gos-vision.html) is a key document providing Members with clear and focused guidelines and recommended actions in order to stimulate cost-effective evolution of the observing systems to address in an integrated way the requirements of WMO Programmes and co-sponsored Programmes. The EGOS-IP is produced by the CBS following wide expert review through the Rolling Review of Requirements, looking at the observational requirements of key WMO Applications Areas, compared with the actual performances of surface and space based observing systems. Capabilities are derived from the individual platforms characteristics submitted by Members to WMO e.g. through WMO-No. 9, Volume A, or its evolution. Space-based capabilities are found at http://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/spacecapabilities while the surface-based capabilities part is currently under development (http://www.wmo-sat.info/oscar/surfacecapabilities). Then a critical review, including impact studies in some cases, is conducted in order to identify gaps and produce Statements of Guidance for each of the Application Areas. The Statements of Guidance are then reviewed, taking cost-effectiveness and priorities into account in the view to produce the EGOS-IP. The detailed and up-to-date Statements of Guidance for each of the 12 WMO Applications Areas are available at http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/GOS-RRR.html#SOG. Some relevant excerpts associated with Upper Air data requirements from selected Application Areas are presented below: The Statement of Guidance for High-Resolution Numerical Weather Prediction (which now includes Regional NWP) states that high resolution NWP centres would still benefit from increased

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 15

coverage of aircraft data in all the regions of the globe, particularly from ascent and descent profiles. Also stated is that the critical atmospheric variables that are not adequately measured by current or planned systems are (in order of priority):

• wind profiles at all levels; • temperature and humidity profiles of adequate vertical resolution in cloudy and rainy areas; • precipitation; • snow equivalent water content; • soil moisture.

The Statement of Guidance for Global Numerical Weather Prediction states that global NWP centres would benefit from further increased coverage of aircraft data, particularly from ascent/descent profiles in the tropics. Also stated is that the critical atmospheric variables that are not adequately measured by current or planned systems are (in order of priority):

• wind profiles at all levels outside the main populated areas; • temperature and humidity profiles of adequate vertical resolution in cloudy areas,

particularly over the poles and sparsely populated land areas; • satellite based rainfall estimates; • snow equivalent water content.

In the Statement of Guidance for Nowcasting, Very Short-Range Forecasting and Short-Range Forecasting it is stated that, for frequently updated fields of 3-D wind and temperature required, the increasing number of AMDAR observations provides high resolution wind and temperature data at the tropopause level and composites of radio-soundings, wind profilers, weather radars VAD and AMDAR provide tropospheric wind observations over populated regions The Statement of Guidance for Aeronautical Meteorology states that:

• For upper-level temperature and wind forecasts the SOG for global NWP apply for operational forecast production, locally higher vertical resolution is required for development and verification of turbulence forecast algorithms. Enhanced collection of aircraft data (AMDAR / ADS-B / Mode-S) may improve accuracy in support of more efficient ATM in the terminal areas of busy airports;

• For turbulence and gravity wave detection and prediction, current in-situ instruments have acceptable vertical resolution, but are not available in sufficient density for all areas of the globe. The AMDAR / ADS / Mode-S is a data source with a high potential to fill existing data gaps in the medium term. Water vapour imagery7 is beginning to show potential for subjective detection of steepening waves and vorticity advection, leading to Clear Air Turbulence.

The specific Aeronautical Meteorology requirements for observational variables are presented in the Annex of the Statement of Guidance for Aeronautical Meteorology (http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/SOG/SoG-Aero.doc). This ABOP Regional IP for Region I (A-RIP-I) is designed to be an integral component of the WIGOS Implementation Plan for WMO Region I (R-WIP-I) so cohesion between both IPs will be maintained. Note in particular that R-WIP-I includes a series of activities under design, planning and optimized evolution of WIGOS and its regional, sub-regional and national observing

7 Satellite water vapor imagery

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components (see Table 2, Tasks 3 of http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/wigos/documents.html,) that are relevant to this A-RIP-I. It is under tasks 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the R-WIP-I that the design and planning of the observing systems as well as the development of new RBN for both the region and the sub-regions are proposed, taking into account the priorities and requirements of the sub-regions. Close collaboration must thus be established with the team responsible for the R-WIP-I for a joint analysis of the needs and priorities for improving the upper air data coverage in Region I.

5.4 Analysis of AMDAR Candidate Regional and National Airlines AMDAR coverage, especially through AMDAR profiles from departing and arriving aircraft, is generally poor to very poor over most parts of WMO Region I (see Figure 1). Figure 7 below is a map of airports in the WMO Region I and demonstrates the extent to which AMDAR could contribute to increased coverage of upper-air data in WMO Region I if AMDAR vertical profiles could be obtained from a significant subset of these airports.

Figure 7. Map of Africa airports. Source: http://aviation.weathersa.co.za/#aviation/showmap?fz= In 2013 WMO arranged for a consultants’ study (AMDAR Coverage & Targeting for Future Airline Recruitment) to identify suitable candidate airlines that would be technically suitable to include in new AMDAR programmes or for expansion of existing programmes8. The study focused on

8 The study concerning Africa is available here: ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/www/amdar/documents/coverage_study/AMDAR_Coverage_and_Recruitment_Study_Report_Appendix_Africa.pdf

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 17

modern aircraft that use ACARS system for communication and therefore suitable for transmitting meteorological observational data. For Africa the following airlines, listed in Table 4, were identified. They were rated as High, Medium or Low priority for AMDAR programme where the rating also took in consideration of the individual airlines’ route network and the number of aircraft. South African Airways was not included in the list as the airline already is active in the SA AMDAR Programme.

*Arik Air, Air Namibia andAeroContractors were included in the list as potentially suitable airlines as they have AFIRS systems for communication and may be capable of providing AMDAR data. Table 4. Candidate airlines for AMDAR programmes in Africa In the following figures are examples of the coverage each of the high priority rated airlines (plus TAAG Angola Airlines) could provide if all their ACARS equiped fleets were to participate. The combination of South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Egypt Air and Royal Air Morocco would give a very good coverage of almost the entire Africa.

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Figure 8. Egypt Air Route Structure. Egypt Air has a large fleet of 56 aircraft, mainly B737 and A320/A330, and significant coverage of the northern and east parts of Africa.

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Figure 9, Ethiopian Airlines Route Structure Ethiopian Airlines has a mid-sized fleet with 18 aircraft, several B737 and B777, and is rapidly expanding. Good central and eastern Africa coverage.

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 20

Figure 10, Kenya Airways Route Structure Kenya Airways has a mid-sized fleet with 12 aircraft, mainly B737, B777 and ERJ-190, and good west, central and east Africa coverage.

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 21

Figure 11. Royal Air Maroc Route Structure Royal Air Maroc has a large fleet of 47 aircraft, mainly B737, and excellent coverage of western Africa.

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Figure 12 TAAG Angola Airlines Route Structure Figure 12 shows that TAAG fly to 12 destinations in Angola, then to Windhoek, Johannesburg, Harare, Lusaka, Bangui, Brazzaville, Douala and Sao Tome. As they fly also outside Africa, their 5 aircraft, B737 and B777, cannot give high frequency of flights on several airports. However TAAG presents an opportunity for and expansion of the ABO programme over western part of Africa. Involving airlines in new AMDAR programmes will require software development, at least for some airlines, and also development of facilities (hardware and software) for processing of data at the NMHS involved or a regional data centre. Figure 13 below is a composite map showing the destinations served by either Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc or South African Airways. With these airlines it would be possible to have a good observation network for large parts of the African continent. However, the

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 23

data costs would be unnecessarily high if vertical profiles were collected at all of the airports along some coastal areas and serviced by the above airlines. Costs can be reduced through onbaord software configuration and also by implementing and using a ground-based optimization system. The collection of enroute data over the continent should have high high priority also as these data are critical to the accuracy of upper wind and temperature forecast products for aviation and other applications.

Figure 13. Geographical coverage of the airport network provided by the current South African Airways AMDAR Programme (yellow) and the additional potential locations available with the particpation of Egypt air (red), Ethiopian Airlines (pink), Kenya Airways (blue) Royal Air Moroc (green) and airlines equipped with FlyHt AFIRS communication system (circles).

5.5 Analysis of Other Aircraft-based Observations Data Sources Additional potential sources of ABO data other than AMDAR are considered in this section. ABO Data from other International AMDAR Programmes Effort should be made to obtain AMDAR supplementary data from other AMDAR programmes outside Region I but operating programmes that can provide AMDAR data within the Region. For example, the E-AMDAR Programme currently provides some supplementary data over Africa but could potentially provide regular vertical profiles from some additional major national airport hubs

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 24

including: Abidjan, Antananarivo, Bangui, Dakar, Nairobi and Yaounde – see Figure 14. However, it should be noted that, without additional equipage of E-AMDAR fleets (e.g. Air France B777 aircraft) such supplementary AMDAR vertical profile data are likely to be of low temporal resolution, as currently-equipped European airlines are likely to service such destinations at a relatively low frequency, e.g. perhaps one or less flights per day. Additionally, while such data, including the en-route upper-air data is valuable, only African airlines are likely to provide data for regional airport locations.

Figure 14. Current (early 2014) potential airport location coverage available from the E-AMDAR programme. WMO, E-AMDAR and Air France are currently working towards the development of AMDAR data for B777 aircraft and this will likely lead to the equipping of at least the Air France B777 fleet and possibly the KLM B777 fleet. Such an outcome would result in the potential availability of more data at the above (Figure 14) locations and at several additional airports. The current coverage map (all aircraft) for Air France and KLM is provided below in Figure 15.

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Figure 15. Air France and KLM airlines airport coverage for Africa destinations. FlyHT Data from AFIRS In addition to the traditional ACARS system that major airlines use for communication between their aircraft and ground stations using VHF, HF or satellite there is also available an alternative privately operated system called AFIRS – Automated Flight Information Reporting System that offers ACARS and other communiations over Iridium satellite connection. This system is used by several regional airlines thorughout the world, usually flying smaller regoinal-operating aircraft. There is the possibility to utilize some regional airlines, already equipped with AFIRS, to collect meteorological observations for an African AMDAR programme. This would involve three airlines with altogether two Airbus A319 aircraft and eight Bombardier CRJ Regional Jets. The map in Figure 15 gives an idea of the geographical coverage that can be obtained. This is of interest not only because of the extent of the coverage but also because it would include several smaller regional airports that would not be visited by bigger aircraft from other major airlines considered in this plan.

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Figure 16. Geographical coverage of AFIRS equipped airlines in Africa A preliminary list includes the following airports: Bangoka, Bukavu Kavumu, Douala, El Fasher, Entebbe, Eros, Goma, Hosea Kutako, Jomo Kenyata, Juba, Kadugli, Kamina Base, Kananga, Khartoum, Kindu, Malabo, Malakal, Mbandaka, Murtala Muhammed, Ndjili, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nyala, Port Harcourt and Wau. The number of vertical profiles that could be obtained from each airport per day is not currently known. Panasonic Avionics Corporation Data from TAMDAR The Tropospheric Airborne Meteorological Data Reporting (TAMDAR)9 system developed originally by AirDat and later transferred to Panasonic Avionics Corporation is another privately owned and operated system that provides a separate sensor package with Iridium satellite based communications solution for the derivation of meteorological data from participating aircraft. Predominantly operating in the USA currently but expanding globally, TAMDAR and the Flightlink network offers an alternative source of high quality AMDAR-like data from areas where the system has participating airlines. TAMDAR data from the USA have previously been available on the GTS under the Great Lakes Field Experiment in collaobration between AirDat and NOAA. At the current time, there are no airlines with operational TAMDAR system in Region I, however progress of expansion of the TAMDAR network should be monitored.

9 http://www.airdat.com/technology/tamdar-sensor-network/

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5.6 Infrastructure Issues The general requirements, including system design, infrastructure and other development for the development and operation of an AMDAR programme are provided in WIGOS Technical Report 2014-210. Development on regional airlines would generate great benefits. However compatibility of aircraft equipment (avionics, communications, and navigation), especially when targeting regional airlines may be an issue:

• Aircraft operating in the Region must be equipped with accurate navigation systems (i.e., combined inertial referential system with GPS) to report wind data of adequate quality;

• Alternative aircraft communication systems are needed if aircraft are not ACARS-equipped or the service is not used. TAMDAR and AFIRS communication services are alternatives to ACARS. See example of use of AFIRS equipped aircraft in Section 5.4;

• Development of AMDAR on-board software will be required for participating airlines and aircraft.

AMDAR Data Optimization Systems needed:

• To allow for efficient targeting of observations in data sparse regions from existing programmes;

• Development of a Regional AMDAR Data Optimization System to be run at the Regional ABO Data Centre?

• Other National Data Optimization System developments as required. Data management:

• Acquisition or development of software for receiving data at NMHS; • Acquisition or development of software for data monitoring and evaluation; • Development of a Regional ABO Data Centre?

Provision of Humidity Data: • Expansion of WVSS-II to aircraft for which STCs exist and to additional aircraft models,

which would require new STCs; • Consideration of humidity data provision from TAMDAR services.

ICAO ADS-C: • Need access to more meteorological data from the ADS-C source; • Meteorological data from ADS-C source need to be QA/QC to meet ABOP quality

requirements. Given the growing number of competing priorities of member NMHSs for national and regional matters, it is expected that funding will be the main issue as it regards advances on the infrastructure. Outreach activities with strong business cases to present to NMHSs, airlines, and other stakeholders will play a key role in convincing and enrolling them.

10 WIGO TR 2014-2 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwdvoC9AeWjUVm5QT3RGS0l2M3c/edit?usp=sharing

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5.7 Communications and Data Service Provider Issues Communications costs will generally be lowest through use of ACARS-equipped aircraft through VHF links from ARINC and SITA, with costs increasing when satellite channels are utilized. However, many aircraft from the regional airlines are not ACARS-equipped and thus alternative ways of communications such as through the services of Panasonic Avionics Corporation (TAMDAR) or FLYHT Aerospace Ltd (AFIRS/UpTime) would be needed. As for the infrastructure, it is expected that funding for communications solutions and on-going communications costs will be a significant issue. Outreach activities with strong business cases to present to NMHSs, airlines and other stakeholders will play a key role in convincing them to participate and share costs. Aircraft Data Service Providers (DSP) ARINC and SITA ARINC (originally known as Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated), purchased by Rockwell Collins in August 2013, is a major provider of transport communications and systems engineering solutions for industries, including aviation all around the globe. In 1978 ARINC introduced ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System), a datalink system that enables ground stations and commercial aircraft to communicate data. Various communications options are available based on customer preference, cost, aircraft equipage, and regional infrastructure. Very similarly SITA (originally known as the Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques) is an information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry all around the globe. The SA AMDAR Programme uses ARINC as service provider of aircraft data. Airlines operating ACARS systems are generally clients of ARINC or SITA and as such, both could play a key role in promoting AMDAR and facilitating enrolment of clients in the AMDAR programme, and in managing and routing data to NMHSs. As the DSPs manage data from multiple clients over specified regions, they also are well positioned to be involved in the development, maintenance and operation of AMDAR Data Optimization Systems on a national or regional basis Figure 17 below shows the SITA coverage in the African region and Figure 18 is a map presenting the ARINC GLOBALink/VHF ground-based infrastructure around the world. The ground-based VHF link enables the lowest cost communications option to ACARS equipped aircraft in high traffic areas of all WMO Regions. As can be seen on the maps, the WMO Region I is largely well covered by the SITA VHF network but not well covered by the ARINC GLOBALink/VHF network. However, ARINC is planning a major expansion of its VHF ground station network in Africa during the next few years.

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Figure 17. SITA map for Europe, Africa and Middle-East

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Figure 18. ARINC GLOBALink/VHF coverage Figure 19 below presents the ARINC GLOBALink/HFDL, the only worldwide HF network for ACARS communications for equipped aircraft providing complete coverage all over the World.

Figure 19. ARINC GLOBALink/HFDL coverage The ARINC HFDL ACARS services in Africa (within the dashed line in red) in Figure 20 below show significant growth potential for the current AMDAR system in the Region.

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Figure 20. ARINC HFDL ACARS services over WMO Region I.

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6. Implementation Plan

6.1 Strategy and Approach to Regional Development Strategy for A-RIP Approval and Implementation This document is aligned with and might be considered for incorporation into, or reference from the Region I EGOS-IP/WIGOS-IP. ET-ABO has initiated an activity to ensure that the AMDAR programme expansion endeavour is promoted at each Regional Association session over the coming 5 years. It is intended that this will lead to the adoption of A-RIPs as a component of the respective RA’s plans for regional infrastructure development. At the Regional Association I session to take place in Cabo Verde (postponed until February 2015), in addition to the reporting of ABO and AMDAR development under WIGOS, it is planned that a presentation on the A-RIP will be made during the Regional Conference (RECO). Additionally WMO plans for ABO and AMDAR development will also be highlighted at the AMCOMET 3rd session following the RA session. A primary strategic aim is to ensure that WMO Regional Association I takes ownership of the Aircraft-Based Observations Programme Regional Implementation Plan for Region I (A-RIP-I) and that it is incorporated into the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plan and the planning activities of the RA work group(s) responsible for coordination of Region I infrastructure. Aims and Strategy for Identifying NMHS and Airline Partners Aims (5 years):

• To put in place a Regional ABO work group under the coordination and leadership of the WMO RA I;

• To identify an extended group of NMHS focal points and contacts within Region I that have the capability and intention to develop new AMDAR programmes;

• To identify as many airlines as possible that indicate a willingness and capability to endeavour to work with NMHSs to develop AMDAR programmes.

National focal points for the advancement of tasks of A-RIP-I will be identified, including helping on the following:

• Assess and monitor regional requirements for upper-air data; • Identify ABO sources over WMO Region I; • Identify ABO gaps over WMO Region I; • Identify possibilities (airlines, target observations, alternative systems (ICAO/ADS,

Panasonic/TAMDAR, FLYHT/AFIRS)) over WMO Region I; • Identify ABOP capacity development projects within WMO Region I; • Develop a mentorship among members; • Find champions in each airline with the potential to contribute to regional ABOP.

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The WMO Secretariat, following the recommended action of ET-ABO has sent a letter11 to all WMO Members to request that they renew their endeavour to develop new AMDAR programmes, particularly focusing on those considered high priority in the WMO study. As at July 2014, the response from Members has not been great, with no response having been received from Members of Region I. Based on reference to this letter, the regional association should be requested to follow up with the relevant Members to seek their collaboration in AMDAR programme development and an indication of their ability to do so. Members that indicate a willingness and ability to commence programme development should be directed to the WMO AMDAR website and the two relevant WIGOS technical reports. Interested Members should also be encouraged to participate in WMO workshops on AMDAR. A list of Region I contacts and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will be developed and maintained in this document – see Appendix I. Strategy for Promotion, Outreach and Training Education, outreach, promotion, communication activities targeted at NMHS members of the WMO Region I and the aviation community in the Region (airlines, avionics providers, data service providers, operators of national air navigation systems and others) will be a critical and demanding step to be undertaken. It is essential to market and promote the AMDAR programme (e.g. through workshops, presentations and flyers but not limited to these) at forums such as Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), African Airlines Association (AFRAA). The forums bring together annually, the aviation service providers, airports handling services, Air Traffic Services, SAWS, airline owners, manufactures etc. to discuss issues that are pertinent to global aviation. Existing resources and materials that have been developed already by the ABOP should be used to promote, encourage and enable national and regional programme development and expansion. These include:

• Guidelines for AMDAR Programme Development; • AMDAR impacts and benefits documents for meteorology, aviation; • AMDAR Promotion and Education module (COMET under development and expected to be

completed by first quarter of 2015); • AMDAR Newsletter and Flyer.

A series of workshops, e.g. one per year, will be scheduled over the coming 3 to 5 years, to be conducted by the WMO ABOP in cooperation with the RA. The first of these is expected to be held in late 2014 or early 2015 and be targeted at the northern half of Africa, including ASECNA member countries. A Region I regional newsletter for A-RIP-I will be produced and a mailing list maintained.

11 English version of the letter: https://www.wmo.int/edistrib_exped/index.php?dir=grp_prs%2F_en%2F2014%2F2014_04%2F&download=2014-04-03-PR-6762-OBS-OSD-AMDAR_en.pdf

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These various activities will be aimed to ensure buy-in of all stakeholders for the establishment and sustainability of a Region I AMDAR Programme Aims and Strategy for AMDAR Programme and Observations Coverage Expansion Aims (5 years):

• To develop three to six new national AMDAR programmes, or regional programmes, within Region I;

• To incorporate an optimizsed regional approach to new AMDAR development where possible;

• To streamline the process for NMHSs and airlines in Region I to join the programme; • To identify ways and means to efficiently access and distribute processed RA I ABO data; • To encourage the NMHSs to make provision for the AMDAR communication costs; • To define a funding strategy for the expansion of RA I ABO data

A likely first step in improving AMDAR data coverage over Africa should be to seek to take advantage of the potential for existing WMO AMDAR programmes outside of Region I to provide data when participating aircraft fly over and into the Region, where and when this is not already occurring. Coupled with this, should be an effort to promote the availability of AMDAR and other ABO data and ensure that Region I Members endeavour to make use of the data in forecasting applications and services. It is expected that the ABOP will initiate a pilot project with the E-AMDAR programme to make all possible AMDAR supplementary data over Africa available for a period of time (e.g. 6 or 12 months) during 2015. If it goes ahead, this effort should be well coordinated with the regional association and Region I Members to ensure they are aware of the project and that the data is used and its impact measured. If these data are deemed to make a significant positive impact, Region I Members would be encouraged to assess their own resource availability to ensure that the data continue to be made available in the future, beyond the pilot project. With the assistance of the WMO Secretariat, the Expert Team on Aircraft Based Observations (ET-ABO) as well as other experienced operational AMDAR programmes, the SA AMDAR programme might be requested to help other NMHSs in Region I initiate AMDAR programmes with their national airlines. Initially, this would be based on the airlines and their respective NMHSs targeted for programme development in the global AMDAR programme as highlighted in the WMO AMDAR Coverage & Targeting for Future Airline Recruitment (see also Section 5.4). The level of achieved growth and potential for further expansion of AMDAR over WMO Region I will be constantly reviewed for the consideration of data targeting, especially over data sparse areas in the Region. Given the geographical structure of WMO Region I, especially the relatively small sizes of many of the countries making up Africa, sub-regional collaboration will be sought as an alternative to individual national AMDAR developments. To ensure efficiency and viability of AMDAR expansion in Region I, regional collaboration will be encouraged and facilitated wherever possible. A joint ICAO/ASECNA meeting was held at Dakar from 4 to 5 August 2014. The participants represented all the Weather Forecast Unit Managers from the 17 countries of ASECNA.

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The AMDAR system including the advantages and the WMO plans for the development of AMDAR were presented to the meeting. The meeting encouraged ASECNA to collaborate with WMO to help its African members to interact with their aviation partners in order to initiate national and regional AMDAR programmes. In this regard, the meeting recommended ASECNA to create a Working Group on the implementation of AMDAR in ASECNA’s Member States. It was also demanded that this Working Group should strongly collaborate with the ET-ABO in the development and implementation of a plan for implementation and expansion of AMDAR in WMO Region I. Optimization through a centralized data acquisition and processing centre might be seen as a future requirement, when the number of national/regional ABO Programmes has increased. This might include the development of regional (multi-national) ABOP data processing centres with data optimization functionality, as is the case with the E-AMDAR Programme. Given the nature of the aviation communications system, not only is it possible that ground-based data processing of AMDAR can be done on a regional basis, but data could also be optimized and processed by an existing data processing centre entirely outside of Region I. It might therefore be possible and advantageous to consider an initial or ongoing arrangement whereby data processing and optimization is, for example, handled by the E-AMDAR infrastructure under agreement and contract with EUMETNET and Region I. This approach might be implemented as an initial temporary measure, after which the process would be reviewed and evaluated to determine the appropriate permanent solution. The ground data processing systems of other operational AMDAR programmes should also be considered as possible collaborative solutions. In the USA, the MDCRS programme has a very attractive model for integrating new airlines into the programme under the arrangements between the NWS, FAA and ARINC. While this is more straight-forward with a single national programme, it is possible that such a model could be replicated internationally for a region. An approach should be made to both ARINC and SITA to have initial discussions on whether they might offer a “turn-key” solution for AMDAR development in Region I, incorporating data reception, ground data processing, encoding into BUFR and delivery to the participating NMHSs and ground-based data optimization. Strategy for Other ABO Systems Expansion AMDAR is the only Aircraft-Based Observing System currently implemented and operational in Region I. Since the implementation of AMDAR may not be possible to cover the entire Region effectively, the feasibility of developing other ABO systems should be investigated. These might include the FLYHT AFIRSTM system, the TAMDAR system from Panasonic Avionics Corporation and the ICAO ADS-C system. Some small African airlines have implemented the FLYHT AFIRSTM system. The ET-ABO work plan incorporates a task to investigate the possibility of a pilot project related to the provision of ABO data derived from the FLYHT AFIRS system operational at one or more of these airlines. Such pilot project would be negotiated and agreed on between WMO, the company FLYHT and the airlines and should run during a 6-12 month period. The NMHSs in Region I will be informed in

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good time and asked to evaluate the impact of the data. If the evaluation shows that these data have a positive impact on NWP and/or Nowcasting it will have to be decided how a permanent collection of data from these airlines and FLYHT can be arranged and financed. Panasonic offers TAMDAR (Tropospheric Airbore Meteorological Data Reporting) according to a completely different business model compared to an AMDAR programme. The company negotiates with an airline and installs new hardware and software on the aircraft and collects the meteorological data. These data are then sold to the meteorological service providers. Under the current business model the customers have not been allowed to distribute the TAMDAR data on GTS. It should be possible to discuss with Panasonic if they would negotiate with airlines in selected areas of Africa to cooperate and collect meteorological data. The hurdles to overcome are to negotiate a cost that is acceptable and the access to the data for all NMHSs. Strategy for Extending Coverage of Other Data Sources At a global scale currently, around 5% of ABO data available on the GTS is being derived from ICAO Automatic Dependent Surveillance Contract (ADS-C) data. According to agreement between ICAO and WMO, and under ICAO regulations, these data should be made available to NMHSs via the GTS through the provision of these data to the World Area Forcast Centers (WAFCs) by national air traffic management organizations. The availability of these data in Region I is still very limited. The use of ADS-C in Region I will be investigated and if available Members will be encouraged to consult with their respective ATM authorities to obtain access to these data for transmission to the WAFCs. Aims and Strategy for AMDAR Water Vapour Monitoring Development Aims (5 years):

• To have 1 or more Region I AMDAR programme with a water vapour monitoring (WVM) capability.;

• Equip part of the SAA AMDAR fleet with WVSS-II sensors;. • Over the medium- to long-term, equip several AMDAR programme fleets with a WVM

capability. As the SAA fleet is participating in the SA-AMDAR Programme it may be feasible to equip at least part of the SAA AMDAR fleet with humidity sensors. When new prospective participating airlines are identified, the partner NMHS should be encouraged to consider the requirements for a WVM capability within their development plans (e.g. WVSS-II) for the programme, either in the short-, medium- or longer-term. SAWS, SSA Water Vapour Measurement Program There are several significant hurdles or issues with development of a WVM capability for the SAA programme:

• While SAWS perceives a requirement and benefit for a WVM capability for the SAA AMDAR programme, the airline is yet to be convinced;

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• SAWS does not yet have the resources to support development of this initiative alone; • There is a need to develop business cases for both SAWS and SAA.

In collaboration with WMO Region I and the WMO Development and Regional Activities Department, a business case and funding strategy might be developed for implementation of a WVM programme for SAWS/SAA AMDAR. Aims and Strategy for AMDAR Turbulence and Icing Monitoring Development Aims (5 years):

• A study should be completed to determine the current status of requirements by the aviation industry in Africa for services related to turbulence and icing monitoring and prediction.

New and developing programmes should assess the requirements and possibilities for incorporating monitoring of both turbulence (EDR) and icing measurement capability.

6.2 Stakeholders, Management and Coordination For the identification of specific possible regional contacts the following resources can be used:

• Regional Association Office Holders: http://www.wmo.int/pages/governance/ra/index_en.html

• Composition of WMO: http://www.wmo.int/pages/governance/compo/composition.pdf • Country Profile DataBase: https://www.wmo.int/cpdb/

Key stakeholders have been identified as:

• WMO Region I president (Mamadou L. Bah, Guinea), vice-president (Amos Makarau, Zimbabwe), and WMO Region I Regional Office representatives;

• EGOS/WIGOS Region I Regional Implementation Office (more specifically identified members of the Region I Task Team on Regional WIGOS Implementation);

• PRs or Heads of NMHSs from WMO Region I; • Region I NMHS focal points for AMDAR/ABOP:

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/CBS/Lists_WorkGroups/CBS/cross-cutting/amdar-fp; • Participating airlines and airlines identified.

Other potential stakeholders are representatives from WMO Region I offices of:

• ICAO; • National civil aviation authorities; • Aviation community, IATA; • Data service providers (ARINC, SITA, Panasonic, FLYHT).

The Leadership Team for A-RIP-I should include relevant members of ET-ABO, WMO Secretariat representatives (SO/ARO and ADO) and the focal point for WIGOS IP Region I. A list of stakeholder contacts and Focal Points will be maintained within Appendix I of this document.

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6.3 Resources The question can be asked why spending money on establishing AMDAR programmes in Africa as there is a network of radiosonde stations? From Figure 5 it is clear that, as of October 2011, about two-thirds of all radiosonde stations in Africa were completely silent and only about 20 per cent of the stations reported more than 90 per cent of the data messages they were expected to. The reasons for the silence are that the material (radiosondes, balloons and gas) is expensive and perhaps staff is not everywhere available for the soundings. The geographic coverage with observations from aircraft will be much more dense and much more frequent than the radiosonde network can offer. Furthermore, the aircraft observations are automatic and maintenance is carried out by aircraft staff. Thus, for an AMDAR programme, the NMHSs need to have a designated person available at one site only e.g. at the NMHS head office. An extended description of the benefits of aircraft observations is in the publication “The Benefits of AMDAR Data to Meteorology and Aviation” (WIGOS Technical Report 2014-0112). The report also contains cost comparisons between running a radiosonde network and an AMDAR programme, demonstrating that the cost per vertical profile (including humidity information) in AMDAR is about 1-2 per cent of the cost per radiosonde profile. The A-RIP-I should be incorporated and aligned with the Region I WIGOS Implementation Plan (Region I R-WIP) to ensure prioritization for ABOP development with resource allocation for other elements of regional WIGOS development activities. Where required and possible, resource requirements for developmental activities will be identified and quantified within Section 6.4. WMO will investigate various possibilities to secure funding from various sources for projects that might be supported under programs for Least Developed Countries and Developing Counties.

6.4 Activities and Tasks Proposed Developmental Projects The following specific activities are proposed as projects for which cost estimates have been provided. Promotion, Outreach and Training Project 1: AMDAR Workshop Series A series of technical workshops on AMDAR and ABO to be conducted over the coming 5 years:

1.1. The first Workshop on AMDAR for RA I will focus on the northern half of Africa, including ASECNA countries and also targeted at those countries for which high priority airlines have been identified. Estimated cost: USD 40K.

12 The report is available here: ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/www/amdar/documents/wigos-tr_2014-01_en.pdf

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1.2. Arrange African Workshop (2018) back-to-back but separate from RA I meeting to present progress and discuss further development. Estimated cost: USD 40K.

Project 2: Promotion of AMDAR on an annual basis at several key African aviation stakeholder forums

2.1 Airlines Association of southern Africa (AASA) is the forum that represents the interest of airlines in Southern Africa. AASA holds its business meetings on quarterly basis. The forum participants are the airlines, Airports Company, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, Government, South African Weather Service, IATA etc. The AASA General Assembly (AGA) is an open platform for all its constituencies, the aircraft manufacturers (Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Bombardier etc), fuel providers, airport handling services, media, SITA, Civil Aviation Authorities, regulators and policy makers and other service providers to convene and address issues pertaining to aviation globally.

This is a platform where AMDAR, on agreement with the organizers, can be presented to manufacturers, airlines and the meteorological community.

For a sponsorship fee of WMO can arrange to present at the plenary about AMDAR or have a panel discussion of the importance of AMDAR. Additional would be the individual cost of travel which is also arranged through AASA at a negotiated fee for both the flight and accommodation.

2.2 African Airlines Association (AFRAA) is another forum for African airlines. AFRAA similar to AASA seeks to promote the interest of African airlines. AFRAA has various platforms where business, suppliers and associates also meet under the AFRAA umbrella to promote issues of relevance to the industry and seek a common understanding of how they can meet each other’s operational needs. AFRAA also organises the AFRAA CEO’s forum and normally holds a back to back meeting with AASA AGM. This is an excellent platform to promote AMDAR and network with relevant airlines and get to know their aircraft recapitalisation plans.

2.3 ASECNA: ET-ABO should attend meetings of the Working Group on the implementation of

AMDAR in ASECNA’s Member States (when the group has been established). AMDAR Programme and Observations Coverage Expansion The following arrangements would require a contractual agreement with EUMETNET, the parent organisation for E-AMDAR. Project 3: Provision of supplementary data by other WMO AMDAR Programmes

3.1 An inventory made by E-AMDAR indicates that the current programme could provide more E-AMDAR generated data over Africa. Costs: Data communications costs: USD 3-4K per year

3.2 With the equipping of additional aircraft in E-AMDAR participating airline fleets, more data

over Africa could be derived as seen in the table below. Costs: Data communications costs: USD 9-10K per year.

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See also Section 5.5 for about this expansion. Project 4: Priority New AMDAR Programmes Development If onboard software for AMDAR has to be developed the cost could be USD 80K or more per avionics system. However, unique development should not be necessary for each airline. Aircraft of the same type and with the same avionics can use the same software. It will be necessary to contact each airline individually to assess the actual need for development of onboard AMDAR software. Based on the findings it will be possible to plan how best to do a stepwise establishment of national or regional AMDAR programmes. The data costs estimated below are based on 8 vertical profiles produced by each aircraft every day, plus observations during flying en-route, 365 days per year. The data costs per unit observation might be reduced in negotiations with each airline. The total costs can be considerably reduced by using an optimization system that controls how, where and when observations are made.

4.1 Egypt Air: Costs: AMDAR software development: USD 80K; Software implementation costs: USD 22 (22 aircraft); Data costs: USD 275K per year.

4.2 Ethiopian Airlines: AMDAR software development: USD 80K; Software implementation

costs: USD 26K (26 aircraft); Data costs: USD 326K per year. 4.3 Kenya Airways: AMDAR software development: USD 80K; Software implementation

costs: USD 19K (19 aircraft); Data costs: USD 238K per year. 4.4 Royal Air Maroc: AMDAR software development: USD 80K; Software implementation

costs: USD 37K (37 aircraft); Data costs: USD 463K per year. Project 5: Development of data processing centre/centres A fast and economical solution could be to use existing infrastructure e.g. sub-contracting to an existing operational AMDAR programme the data processing and data quality monitoring, as well as the optimization of the observations. During an initial period it can be discussed which is the best and most economical solution; to develop a data processing centre for each programme or to develop one or more regional data processing centres. The arrangements below would require a contractual agreement with EUMETNET, the parent organization for E-AMDAR.

5.1 E-AMDAR could manage up to 5 airlines in its operational infrastructure. The one-time cost for set up could be up to USD 150K and the annual running cost up to USD 100K.

5.2 A clone of the E-AMDAR infrastructure could be developed and installed at an NMHS or regional data processing centre. The one-time cost for set up could be up to USD 500K and the annual running cost up to USD 190K.

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Other ABO Systems Expansion There exist alternative commercial systems that could be used for collecting meteorological data. Project 6: Pilot project for acquiring data from aircraft fleet equipped with the FLYHT AFIRS system

6.1 The one-time cost for setting up the reporting of weather data from three airlines (11 aircraft

total) would be about USD 9K. The transmission cost for the data would be about USD 106K per year. See also Section 5.4 and Figure 13 for more details.

AMDAR Water Vapour Monitoring Development As the SAA is active in AMDAR programme it is logical to start by equipping part of its fleet with humidity sensors. Project 7: Equipping 11 Airbus A319 aircraft of the SAA AMDAR fleet with WVSS-II sensors. This project is a further development of Project 4 (AMDAR capability). Thus Project 8 Water Vapour Monitoring can only be implemented together with, or after, implementation of Project 4. Whereas Project 4 can be implemented fast on each aircraft Project 8 requires longer installation time and is preferably carried out when aircraft are in for major service (C-checks).

7.1 The cost for this (equipment, installations and administrative costs, excluding internal costs for SAWS) would be about USD 1150K provided that the necessary certification with the South Africa Civil Aviation Authority can build on an existing certificate from Europe. Maintenance cost: USD $33K per year from year 3.

Project 8: Equipping parts of the priority airlines fleet with both AMDAR and WVSS-II sensors

8.1 Egypt Air: Costs: Equipping 20 of 22 B737 aircraft with WVSS-II sensors: USD 1090K including installation etc.; Maintenance cost for sensors: USD $86K per year from year 3. Data costs: included in project 4.

8.2 Ethiopian Airlines: Costs: Equipping 15 of 26 B737 aircraft with WVSS-II sensors: $861K

USD including installation etc.; Maintenance cost for sensors: USD 66K per year from year 3. Data costs: included in project 4.

8.3 Kenya Airways: Costs: Equipping 9 of 19 B737 aircraft with WVSS-II sensors: USD 547K

including installation etc.; Maintenance cost for sensors: USD 39K per year from year 3. Data costs: included in project 4.

8.4 Royal Air Maroc: Costs: Equipping 36 of 37 B737 aircraft with WVSS-II sensors:

USD 1900K including installation etc.; Maintenance cost for sensors: USD 156K per year from year 3. Data costs: included in project 4.

The costs estimated include purchase of sensors, engineering work for installation of the sensors as well as integration of documentation etc. into airline standard procedures. The aircraft chosen for installation are those for which a Supplementary Type Certificate (STC) is (or soon will be)

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freely available. The estimated cost for having the STC approved by national authorities in the countries where airlines are registered have also been included above. NB. Project 8 (Water Vapour Monitoring) requires Project 4 (AMDAR capability) to be implemented.

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 43

Summary of Project Costs for Various Options for Region 1 ABOP Development The following tables provide summarised and total costing for three options associated with AMDAR and aircraft-based observations programme development for Region I and for which a funding strategy might be developed. In the tables, costs are given in US$ In each case, the vertical profile coverage expected will be something like that shown in Figure 13. However, the extent of water vapour measurement coverage and vertical profile frequency will vary and reduces to nil coverage for option 3. Option 1: Full AMDAR Programme with Regional Processing Center & Full WVM Programme Project Description Establishment

Cost Ongoing

Cost Total Cost 5 years

1 AMDAR Workshop Series 40K pa 200K 2 AMDAR Aviation Industry

Promotion 10K pa 50K

3 Supplementary AMDAR Data Provision (E-AMDAR)

12K pa 60K

4 4 New AMDAR Programmes 424K 1302K pa* 6934K 5.2 AMDAR DPC 500K 190K pa 1450K 6 FLYHT ABO System for

Central West Africa 9K 106K pa 539K

7 WVM Program for South Africa AMDAR Programme

1150K 100K pa 1650K

8 WVM capability for 4 new programmes (Extension of Project 4)

4398K Maintenance: 347K pa

Data: included in Project 4

6133K

Total 6481K 2107K 17016K * NB This data cost can be further reduced by using a ground-based optimisation system for the observations. Option 2: Full AMDAR Programme with Sub-Contracted Processing Center & SAA WVM Programme Project Description Establishment

Cost Ongoing





12K pa 60K

4 4 New AMDAR Programmes 424K 1302K pa 6934K 5.1 AMDAR Subcontracted DPC 150K 100K pa 650K 6 FLYHT ABO System for 9K 106K pa 539K

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 44

Central West Africa 7 WVM Program for South Africa

AMDAR Programme 1150K 100K pa 1650K

8 Not included Total 1733K 1670K 10083K

Option 3: Full AMDAR Programme with Regional Processing Center but no WVM Programme Project Description Establishment

Cost Ongoing





12K pa 60K

4 4 New AMDAR Programmes 424K 1302K pa 6934K 5.2 AMDAR DPC 500K 190K pa 1450K 6 FLYHT ABO System for

Central West Africa 9K 106K pa 539K

7 Not included 8 Not included Total 933K 1660K 9233K

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 45

The table contains a number of suggested preliminary and high level, key activities considered essential for establishment of an Aircraft-Based Observations Programme. The activities are broken down into identifiable Projects and Tasks that can then be further divided into Sub-tasks. Regional Leadership Teams should populate this table according to specific and agreed regional and national requirements, objectives and strategies.

Project/Task Activity Task Sub-task Estimated Cost $K USD

Commence Complete Responsibility

Strategy for A-RIP Approval and Implementation

T1 1. Establish Project Management Lead and Team in consultation between WMO RA I and CBS and ASECNA

T1.1. Establish Leadership Team(s) (LT) for the Region

WG needed to determine i) Requirements ii) Options for solution (inc

Mode-S/ADS/TAMDAR /AFIRS)

iii) Recommend options/solution

OCT’14 DEC’14 RA I LT

T1.1. Analyse & define meteorological requirements as a basis for design of operational programme

spatial/temporal/quality/timeliness – inc limit of geographical area to be incorporated, e.g.

DEC’14 APR’15 LT

T1.2. Cooperation with WMO Region I Task Team on Regional WIGOS Implementation, for the regional upper-air networks survey

Analysis of current upper- air data coverage

Nov 14 June 15 LT

Strategy for Identifying NMHS and Airline Partners

T2 2. For the initial period build on T2.1 Contact the Describe to the NMHSs the

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 46

the high priority airlines and expanding the SA AMDAR Programme with SAA

NMHSs in Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia Kenya and Angola. T2.2 Ask the NMHSs in Ethiopia and Angola to nominate National Focal Points T2.3 Ask these NMHSs to contact their national airlines

benefits of AMDAR Arrange meetings with airlines to present AMDAR benefits and discuss cooperation

LT

Strategy for Promotion, Outreach and Training

P1 AMDAR Workshop Series P1.1 Workshop for northern half of Africa including ASECNA Countries and countries with identified priority airlines

? $40K Q4 2014 Q1 2015 ET-ABO and LT

P1.2 Arrange African workshop (2018) back-to-back but separate with RA I meeting

Present results, benefits, propose expansion, support/endorsement needed (incl. finances)

$40K ET-ABO and LT

P2 Promoting AMDAR to key African aviation stakeholders

P2.1-P2.3: Participate in meetings with AASA AFRAA , ASECNA

Promote AMDAR and seek cooperation

$12K ET-ABO and LT

Strategy for AMDAR Programme and Observations Coverage Expansion

P3 Provision of supplementary P3.1-3.2 Provision of Discuss with E-AMDAR the $3K – 4K per year ET-ABO and LT

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 47

P3 Provision of supplementary data by other WMO AMDAR programmes.

P3.1-3.2 Provision of data by E-AMDAR

Discuss with E-AMDAR the extent of data provision Sign MoU with EUMETNET, the parent organization for E-AMDAR

$3K – 4K per year with current fleet $9 – 10K per year with extended fleet

ET-ABO and LT

P4 Priority new AMDAR programmes development

P4.1 – 4.4 Development of Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Royal Air Maroc

Assist with airline contact and negotiation, software development, installation and testing, data validation

Set-up cost $K424 Data cost per year: $K1302 For the 4 airlines

ET-ABO, SO/ARO, LT

P5 Development of data processing centre/centres

P5.1 Sub-contract to an existing operational AMDAR programme the data processing, data quality monitoring and optimization

Discuss arrangement with E-AMDAR Sign MoU with EUMETNET, the parent organization for E-AMDAR

Set-up cost $150K $100K running cost per year

RA I

T3 Evaluate benefits of developing either a RA I Optimization System, or a Regional Data Centre, based on the experience gained with using the E-AMDAR system

RA I

P5 P5.2 Install a clone of the E-AMDAR infrastructure for data processing, data quality monitoring and optimisation

Discuss arrangement with E-AMDAR Negotiate a contractual agreement with EUMETNET, the parent organisation for E-AMDAR

Set-up cost $400 – 500K $130 – 190K running cost per year

RA I

Strategy for Other ABO Systems Expansion

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 48

P6 Pilot project for acquiring data from aircraft equipped with the AFIRS system

P6.1 Sign MoU with FLYHT for data provision

Set-up cost $9K Data provision $106K per year

RA I

T4 Collecting data using the alternative system TAMDAR

T4.1 Negotiate with Panasonic

RA I

Strategy for Extending Coverage of Other Data Sources

T5 Improve availability of information from ADS-C

T5.1. Investigate the use of ADS-C in Region I T5.2. Sign MoUs with ANSPs about access to meteorological data from ADS-C through WAFSs

LT

Strategy for AMDAR Water Vapour Monitoring Development

P7 Equipping 11 Airbus A319 aircraft of the SAA AMDAR fleet with WVSS-II sensors.

P7.1 Negotiate agreements with SAA, Lufthansa Technik, SpectraSensor Inc etc as needed

Investment $1150K excluding internal costs at SAWS

RA I

P8 Equipping the priority airlines fleet AMDAR fleet, with WVSS-II sensors

NB This project requires

P8.1-8.4 Sign MoU with Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc and

Investment $4398K Maintenance $347K per year Data costs included in P4

RA I

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 49

P8 Equipping the priority airlines fleet AMDAR fleet, with WVSS-II sensors

NB This project requires implementation of P4

P8.1-8.4 Sign MoU with Egypt Air, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc and SpectraSensor Inc.

Investment $4398K Maintenance $347K per year Data costs included in P4 For all four airlines

RA I

Strategy for AMDAR Turbulence and Icing Monitoring Development

T6 Determine what are the needs of the airlines in Africa

T6.1 Conduct a study on the current requirements by the aviation industry in Africa for services related to turbulence and icing monitoring and prediction

RA I

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 50

Appendix I – Stakeholder Contacts NB Tables below are not yet complete and need to be updated (Latest updated: September 2014) Region I A-RIP Development Team

Name Role Country Position & Organization

Contact Details Comments

NGAMINI Jean-Blaise • CBS/ET-ABO Lead on Region I

• Lead of Region I A-RIP Development Team

Senegal ASECNA Direction de l'Exploitation de l'ASECNA 32-38 Av. Jean Jaures BP 3144 DAKAR Senegal Tel: +221 33 849 6600 Fax: +221 33 820 7495 E-mail: [email protected]

ILBOUDO Goama Member of ASECNA AMDAR Project

Senegal ASECNA Direction de l'Exploitation de l'ASECNA 32-38 Av. Jean Jaures BP 3144 DAKAR Senegal Tel: +221 33 869 5705 Fax: +221 33 820 7495 E-mail: [email protected]

MOSETLHO Francis CBS/ET-ABO Associate Member South Africa

South African Weather Service Department of Environment Affairs

Private Bag X20562 Bloemfontein 9301 South Africa Fax: +27-51 4332301 Tel: +27-51 4332477 E-mail: [email protected]

KHAMBULE, Gaborekwe Esther

• Team Member South Africa

South African Weather Service Department of Environment Affairs

Private Bag X097 PRETORIA 0001 South Africa Tel: +27-11-39109326 Fax: +27-11-39109332 E-mail: [email protected]

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 51

Name Role Country Position & Organization

Contact Details Comments

MUIRURI, Sospeter

• Team Member Kenya Kenya Meteorological Services (KMS)

Dagoretti Corner Ngong Road P.O. Box 30259-00100 NAIROBI Kenya Tel: +25-420-3867880 Fax: +25-420-386955 E-mail: [email protected]

LOCKETT, Dean See below See below GROOTERS, Frank See below See below FOURNIER, Gilles See below See below CARLBERG, Stig See below See below WMO & WMO Region I ABO Contacts and Focal Points

Name Role Country Position & Organization Contact Details Comments LOCKETT, Dean • WMO Coordinator for Technical

Commissions activities related to ABO and AMDAR.

Switzerland Scientific Officer, Aircraft and Remotely Sensed Observations, Observing and Information Systems Department, WMO

Scientific Officer Aircraft and Remotely-sensed Observations Observing Systems Division Observing and Information Systems Department World Meteorological Organization 7 bis, Avenue de la Paix Case Postale No. 2300 CH-1211 Geneve 2 Switzerland Telephone: + 41 22 730 83 23 Telefax: + 41 22 730 8021 E-mail: [email protected]

BAH, Mamadou Lamine

WMO Region I president Guinea Director Direction nationale de la Météorologie

B. P. 566 CONAKRY Guinea

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 52

Name Role Country Position & Organization Contact Details Comments Telephone: + 224 30 454815 Telefax: + 224 30 413577 E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]

MAKARAU, Amos WMO Region I vice-president Zimbabwe Department of Meteorological Services Director

Cnr Hudson & Bishop Gaul Ave. P.O. Box BE 150 Belvedere HARARE Zimbabwe Telephone: + 263 4 77 82 09 Telefax: + 263 4 77 81 61 E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]

GROOTERS, Frank Chair of CBS/ET-ABO The Netherlands

Consultant Prunuslaan 17 NL-3723 WC Bilthoven Netherlands Tel: +31 30 2293250 Mobile: +31 6 11225867 E-mail: [email protected]

FOURNIER, Gilles Vice-chair of CBS/ET-ABO Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

373 Sussex Drive, E-124 K1A 0H3 OTTAWA ON Canada Fax: +1 613 992 4288 Tel: +1-819-205-6455 E-mail: [email protected]

CARLBERG, Stig WMO AMDAR Development Officer Sweden Consultant E-mail: [email protected]

RA I-16/INF. 4.4(3), p. 53

NMHS Region I Focal Points and Contacts Name Role Country Position &

Organization Contact Details Comments

EL-BAHRAWY, Rabie Mohamed Morsy

• Focal Point Egypt The Egyptian Meteorological Authority

Koubry El-Quobba P.O. Box 11784 CAIRO Egypt Tel: +202-26849860-24830069 Fax: +202-26849857 E-mail: [email protected]

MUIRURI, Sospeter

• Focal Point Kenya Kenya Meteorological Services (KMS)

Dagoretti Corner Ngong Road P.O. Box 30259-00100 NAIROBI Kenya Tel: +25-420-3867880 Fax: +25-420-386955 E-mail: [email protected]

DUNPUTH, B.H.

• Focal Point Mauritius Meteorological Services

St. Paul Road VACOAS Mauritius Tel: +230-696-5626 Fax: +230-6861033 E-mail: [email protected]

MOUHTADI, Abderrahim

• Focal Point Morocco Direction de la météorologie nationale, CNME/SMM

B.P. 8106 en face de la prefecture Hay Hassani CASABLANCA Morocco Tel: +212-0-22654910 E-mail: [email protected]

ILBOUDO, Goama

• Focal Point Senegal Direction de l’Exploitation de l’ASECNA

32-38 Av. Jean Jaures BP 3144 DAKAR Senegal Tel : +221 33 869 5705 Fax : +221 33 820 7528 E-mail: [email protected]

_________

World Meteorological Organization RA I-16/INF. 5.2

Submitted by: Secretariat REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) Date: 19.XI.2014

Original Language: English SIXTEENTH SESSION Praia, Cabo Verde, 3 to 9 February 2015

STRATEGIC OPERATING PLAN FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF NMHSs IN RA I

2012-2015

WMO REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) STRATEGIC PLAN

JANUARY 2010

2

Mission Statement for WMO Regional Association I (Africa)

To support NMHSs of the Region to make effective contribution to sustainable socioeconomic development through partnerships with relevant stakeholders and the provision of timely, reliable and relevant information on meteorological, hydrological and related natural occurrences.

3

CONTENTS

Page

I. Foreword ……………………………………………………………………………... 6 II. Executive Summary………………………………………......................... 7

III. Introduction…………………………………………………………….………..…. 9

IV. Purpose of Regional Association I (Africa)………………………..… 11

V. Situational Analysis and current challenges …………………..…... 12

V-1 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats………………… 12 V-2 Internal Analysis…………………………………………………………………. 14 V-3 External Analysis………………………………………………………………... 15 V-4 Current Challenges and Emerging Issues ……………………………… 17

VI. What RA I Needs to Do ……………………………………………………..…. 18 VII. Strategic Considerations………………………………………………….…... 19

VII-1 The vision of RA I……………………………………………………........... 19 VII-2 Core purpose and values……………………………………………………. 19 VII-3 RA 1 Major goals………………………………………………………………. 20

VIII. The WMO Strategic Thrusts……………………………………………….…. 21 IX. Expected Results, Key Outcomes and Key Performance Indicators for

RA I (2012-2015)…………………………………………………………….…... 22 X. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting………………….……….….... 28

XI. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….…... 29 Annex 1: WMO Regional Associations (Map) ……………………………………………. 30

Annex 2: An Example of How RA I Can Conduct its Monitoring and Evaluation 31

4

List of Acronyms ACMAD African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development AGRHYMET Centre Regional de Formation et d'Application en Agrométéorologie et

Hydrologie Opérationnelle AMESD African Environment for Sustainable Development ASECNA Agency for the Safety of Aerial Navigation in Africa AUC African Union Commission CEMAC Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa CLIMDev Consultative Group to Review the Climate for Development Africa COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa EAC East African Community EC Executive Council ECOWAS Economic Community Of West African States ER Expected Results EUMETSAT European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites GTS Global Telecommunications Systems HYCOS - Hydrological Cycle Observing System IATA International Air Transport Association ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization ICPAC IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre ICT Information and Communication Technology IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ISO International Organization for Standardization KOS Key Outcomes KPI Key Performance Indicators LDCs Least Developed Countries MASA Meteorological Association of Southern Africa MDGs Millennium Development Goals NEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s Development NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations NMHSs National Meteorological and Hydrological Services NMSs National Meteorological Services NWP Numerical Weather Prediction PR Permanent Representative PUMA Meteorological Transition in Africa Project RA-1 Regional Association I (Africa) RB Regional Bodies RBB Results-based Budget RBM Results Based Management RSBN Regional Synoptic Basic Network RTCS Regional Training Centres SADC-DMC Southern African Development Community-Drought Monitoring Centre SREC Sub-Regional Economic Communities SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats ST Strategic Thrust TDCF Table Driven Code Format UMA Union du Maghreb Arabe UN United Nations

5

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification WIS WMO Information System WMO World Meteorological Organization

6

I. FOREWORD

The fourteenth session of WMO Regional Association I (Africa), held in Burkina Faso in February 2007, recalled that the fifty-eighth session of the Executive Council (Geneva, June 2006) recognized the need for the Regional Associations to craft their Strategic Plans and, in so doing, ensure that they were aligned to that of WMO’s long-term plan, particularly the Strategic Plan (2008-2011), and mindful that the Organization had adopted a Results-based Management (RBM) system with its attendant Results-based Budgeting mechanism. The six plans were to be amalgamated and a resultant WMO Operating Plan designed so that WMO would accommodate and respond to the dictates of the global society as well as attend to the needs of its internal environment (WMO Members). Accordingly, RA I (Africa) resolved to develop its Strategic Plan. This decision was later approved by the Fifteenth WMO Congress in Geneva in May 2007. This Plan, therefore, is a culmination of these developments. This Strategic Plan is a planning process driven by the needs and priorities identified by RA I Members in 2007. Top of the agenda is the need for NMHSs to provide the scientific mandate that enables Africa to appropriately address the impacts of climate change. The Members unanimously acknowledged that weather- and climate-related natural disasters have become all too frequent, prolonged, more extreme in intensity and devastating. The following readily comes to mind:

• A see-saw of extreme weather episodes (floods and droughts); • High incidents of lightning and strong winds; • Extent and severity of dust storms; • Increasing desertification and shifting of sand dunes; • Fluctuating onsets, cessation and duration of rainy seasons; • Fresh water scarcity.

In addition to the issue of climate change, the Region still has poor meteorological and hydrological infrastructure and its skilled manpower base is shrinking. At the same time, the continent has more than half of the countries categorized by the United Nations as Least Developing Countries (LDCs). It is my wish to witness most of these LDCs move out of this category with respect to the provision of weather, climate and hydrological products and services. This success will depend, to a large extent, on the commitment by all players, principally NMHSs themselves, RA I as a regional body with its attendant regional institutions, and WMO. I hope all RA I Members, as they prepare, develop or update their national strategic plans, will find this to be a useful reference guide. I also call on all Members to join hands with the aim of ensuring successful implementation of this Plan. I would like to use this opportunity to thank, on behalf of RA I, the WMO Secretariat, in particular the Director of WMO Regional Office for Africa, Mr Alioune Ndiaye, for the support and facilitation in the development of this Plan. I express my deep appreciation to my vice-president, Dr Amos Makarau, PR of Zimbabwe with WMO for the assiduous work he has done with the assistance of WMO staff, particularly Dr Yinka Adebayo, Mr Stephen Njoroge and Mr Ishiaku Muhammed in making sure that this plan was prepared. I thank you. Signed: President of RA I

7

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Regional Association I embarked on the development of a strategic plan for the Region in response to the new dispensation in WMO to move from Long-term Planning approach to Results-based Management (RBM) approach. The Association recognizes that RBM is not only a worthwhile approach for delivering its activities, but it is also an excellent way for its Members to join hands, in order to bolster its impact. Through this approach, activities are clearly spelt out, linked with results, and these results are, in-turn, monitored on a continuous basis, using clear indicators to identify whatever achievements are accomplished within a given timescale. Given the link between the strategic plan, available resources and evaluation, the RBM approach also gives room for transparency and accountability, hence enabling stakeholders to identify with the use of their resources as they are able to see the outcome of their investments. In line with the traditional approach to the development of the strategic plan, this current Plan has been developed along the lines enumerated below. The situational analysis of the state of affairs in Africa is as presented. This involves an illumination of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats surrounding the conception and delivery of the Plan within the milieu of Africa’s existing natural, socioeconomic and political situations. It is recognized that whereas NMHSs in Africa have operated for decades, the strengths of the existing infrastructure and competencies are still largely unable to meet the existing and potential challenges as a result of the various weaknesses and threats such as low level of technological development, poor recognition by policymakers, inadequate telecommunication facilities, lack of adequate financial support, brain drain and negative effects of globalization. Despite all these situations, however, the stakeholders are aware of the strategic role that NMHSs have to play in the manifestation of the recurrent and future socioeconomic activities in their respective countries. An indication is given of what RA I needs to do, especially taking account of the major stakeholders within and outside the Region. The key issues to be dealt with, by and large, revolve around the following building blocks: (a) Cooperation with national and international stakeholders to enable adequate delivery of

weather-, climate- and water-related information and services; (b) Two-pronged capacity-building for policymakers and also to enable development on human

and institutional resources in NMHSs. The essential issues that should be taken into consideration within the framework of capacity-building revolve around the need for enhancement of capacity of relevant actors as and when appropriate;

(c) Engagement of relevant stakeholders especially policymakers, in the development of the

multifarious infrastructure that are necessary for achieving the goals set in the Plan; and (d) The issues surrounding early warning, climate change and climate variability. The Plan identifies the key partners that are directly or indirectly essential to the delivery of concrete activities. Those partners also have important roles to play at the level of formulation of appropriate policies that are relevant to the goals and aspirations of Members. Partners are also critical at the level of facilitating the delivery of weather-, climate-, and water-related products and services. These partners include regional bodies, sub-regional economic communities, research, training and policy-related institutions, non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies operating in the Region.

8

On programme delivery, the Expected Results have been downscaled from those given by WMO as the Organization-wide Expected Results. This approach was adapted in order to make sure that the Region does not operate at variance with the Organization’s approved programme. Hence, a set of the Expected Results was developed for the African Region so that the related issues could be addressed in tandem with the programme and activities of WMO, albeit with specificities to Africa and its NMHSs. It is on the basis of the downscaled Expected Results for Africa that Key Outcomes (KOs) and commensurate Key Performance Indicators were developed. It is also noteworthy that the KOs were developed with a deliberate attempt at making sure that the desired activities and resources for actualizing them are within the control of the Management, especially NMHSs and partners operating in and outside the Region including at national and local levels. Finally, an explanation is given about how the Plan will be implemented, taking into account the need to ensure appropriate monitoring and evaluation. Hence enumerated in the Plan are the key reference points against which the success or otherwise of the associated activities will be measured during the evaluation exercise.

9

III. INTRODUCTION From the day-to-day weather that affects livelihoods and economic decisions, to the storms, floods and droughts that can determine the very survival of millions of people, weather, climate, water and related environmental issues impact people and the world’s economy. Policymakers, professionals and the public alike use and benefit from environmental forecasts and assessments. Nevertheless, between 1980 and 2000, over 1.2 million people died and more than US$ 900 billion were spent coping with weather, climate and hydrological phenomena (WMO). Much of the impact could have been avoided by proactive initiatives by governments and people. Loss of livelihood and financial costs are growing steadily as exposure to environmental hazards increases. At the same time, scientific and technological advances are providing tools and opportunities to enable more effective action. Realizing these opportunities requires vision, planning and strong organizational commitment. This Strategic Plan lays out the vision and roadmap whereby WMO RA I Members build upon their achievements and collectively identify their commitment to advance their efforts aimed at addressing the critical social and development needs of today and tomorrow. Weather, climate and water information influences social and economic decisions every day, routinely contributing to efficient generation of electricity; safe transport in the air, on land and at sea; management of agricultural production and water resources; and development planning. In the extreme, weather-, climate- and water-related events dramatically affect lives and livelihoods, threaten food security, reduce the availability of uncontaminated fresh water, increase the spread of disease and undermine development. Growing urbanization and the expansion of communities into previously uninhabited areas, such as arid zones and flood plains, are compounding the threat by exposing populations to air- and waterborne diseases, heat stress, drought, air pollution, landslides, floods, storm surges, tsunamis and other environmental hazards. Furthermore, many disasters are rooted in poor development planning and methodologies, increasing vulnerability to extreme weather, climate and water conditions. Governments and people everywhere continue to need expert assistance to understand and assess the effects of day-to-day weather, climate and water conditions and the impacts of extreme events on their societies, and to exploit weather, climate and water information more effectively with a view to maximizing its benefits to society. It is a recognized fact that Africa, because of widespread poverty and consequential limited adaptation and coping capabilities, is one of the most vulnerable regions of the world to the projected impacts of climate change. It is also a known fact that most of Africa’s disasters are meteorologically and hydrologically related. These disasters pose a serious threat to the continent’s ability to attain the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development. While it is projected that some parts of Africa, especially in the Sahel region, may experience an increase in rainfall, and others in southern Africa may experience a reduction over the next forty to fifty years, overall the African continent is likely to suffer unless adequate preparations are made and sufficient mitigation as well as risk reduction measures are put in place against the anticipated droughts and sea-level rises. As a preventative measure against the negative economic and livelihood impacts of climate change, Africa needs to intensify its agricultural diversification programme in a way that would ensure food self-sufficiency and sustainably contribute to food security in years of unprecedented climatic eventualities (AU). Climate monitoring and prediction play an important role in informing government policy decisions in this respect. However, Africa’s efforts have to be linked to the global processes and be informed by them in a way that would further enhance the continent’s capacity to observe climate systems and analyze and apply climate information to development. The Environment Initiative of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and its related Action Plan took cognisance of the economic importance of climate change and variability in its programme area on combating climate change in Africa. The African Union Commission wishes to see the outcome of the Addis Ababa meeting coordinated with the Action Plan of the NEPAD Environment

10

Initiative for a harmonious implementation of climate change and variability as well as vulnerability reduction initiatives in the continent. The vulnerability of communities throughout the world will be reduced by introducing authoritative, scientifically sound information into sustainable development policies and into the global partnership strategies for development, especially for least developed countries. In particular, WMO is committed to the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters. The Framework for Action 2005–2015 shifts disaster risk management from post-emergency response and recovery to an approach that emphasizes prevention, preparedness and contingency planning. WMO activities will help through the provision of early warning systems, support to operational decision processes and the incorporation of hydrometeorological risk assessment in disaster risk management and development planning. Monitoring, assessing and forecasting weather, air quality, climate, oceanic conditions, the global water cycle and hydrometeorological hazards are important components of WMO’s commitment to the international community’s strategy to attain the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. WMO activities will help to achieve the following results: - Lessen the impact of drought, desertification, extreme weather, water and climate events, and

associated pests and diseases on agricultural production and activities essential to food security and industrial production, thereby contributing to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger (Goal 1);

- Mitigate the impact of weather- and climate-sensitive epidemics, thereby helping to reduce

child mortality (Goal 4), improve maternal health (Goal 5), and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases (Goal 6);

- Monitor the environment to assess and reduce the impact of climate change and help

countries, especially the developing and least developed, to adapt, thereby helping to ensure environmental sustainability (Goal 7);

- Encourage the participation of women in science, and recognize and support the special

needs of rural women and of women involved in water management and disaster response, to apply weather, water and climate information effectively, thereby contributing to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women (Goal 3).

11

IV. PURPOSE OF REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) To support the aims of WMO and the implementation of its global Programmes at the national, sub-regional and regional levels, the WMO has defined a framework of six Regional Associations of which Africa is Regional Association I (RA I Africa). There are 56 Member countries and territories whose geographical areas are shown in Annex 1. Thirty-four of these are categorized as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) which constitutes two-thirds of all LDCs in the world. This situation has further been complicated in numerous countries with a variety of natural hazards in the form of drought, desertification, floods, pests and tropical cyclones. The political disturbances and attendant civil strife in some of the countries further worsen the socioeconomic development and slow the fight against poverty. The resulting effect is the slow development of NMHSs (poor network of observing stations, small skilled human resource base and inadequate and obsolete infrastructure). This situation heightens the vulnerability of the Region to severe weather, climate and hydrological hazards. RA I (Africa) is responsible for the coordination, development and promotion of meteorological, hydrological and related activities in Africa. These are agreed upon during the RA I sessions held once every four years and approved by WMO Congress. By assisting in the coordination of the use of meteorological and hydrological infrastructure and delivery of programmes within the Region, all Members are able to benefit from this regional approach such as telecommunication systems (GTS and WMO Information Systems), capacity-building and meteorological and hydrological data management, among others. Each Member decides how best to use its own capacities, and especially its NMHS to contribute to these regional outcomes. The activities within the Region include, among others, being responsible for official recording and collection of meteorological and climatological data, archiving and custodian of the national meteorological databank, maintenance and operation of the meteorological and hydrological infrastructure, and providing expertise on weather, climate, water and the related environment.

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V. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS AND CURRENT CHALLENGES More than half of African countries are categorized as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) (see Annex 2). This situation has further been complicated in numerous countries with a variety of natural hazards in the form of drought, desertification, floods, pests and tropical cyclones. The political disturbances and attendant civil wars in many of the countries further worsen the socioeconomic development of some of these countries. The resulting effect is the slow development of NMHSs (poor network of observing stations, small skilled human resource base and inadequate and obsolete infrastructure). A combination of these situations heightens the vulnerability of the Region to severe weather, climate and hydrological hazards.

WMO has facilitated in RA I the establishment of Regional and Sub-Regional Centres which include ACMAD, AGRHYMET, ASECNA, ICPAC and SADC-DMC. Apart from providing capacity-building, these centres have the sub-regional mandate to address issues relating to climate change (CLIMDev), Satellite-based monitoring systems (PUMA and AMESD). In addition, WMO, in collaboration with NMHSs, is spearheading the development and implementation of several hydrological projects in Africa (such as SADC-HYCOS, Niger-HYCOS, Volta-HYCOS etc.) and Integrated Flood Management Plans. RA I NMHSs also play active collaborative roles in River and Lake Basin Organizations in Africa (for example, Niger Basin, Nile Basin, Congo-Oubangui-Sangha Basin, Zambezi Basin, Lake Chad Basin, Lake Victoria, etc.). WMO has, at the recommendation of RA I, designated several Regional Training Centres (RTCs) that are located in Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger and Angola. The Region has also established cooperation with the sub-regional economic groupings such as CEMAC, UMA, ECOWAS, SADC, IGAD, COMESA and EAC in support of activities of the NMHSs in the Region. Under these economic groupings, some meteorological associations are being formed. The objective is to harmonize the development of meteorology through regional approaches. This will minimize duplication of efforts and eliminate competition among the NMHSs. One of these is the Meteorological Association of Southern Africa (MASA), formed in 2007 by SADC member countries, while the process to establish a similar association for the East African community is underway. V-1 Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the Region as identified during the fourteenth session of RA I are presented as follows: Strengths • NMHSs are the sole designated national authorities and chief advisers to governments on all

matters relating to meteorology, climatology and water resources; • Availability of Regional and Sub-regional Centres like ACMAD, AGRHYMET, IGAD and DMCs

to enhance human capital and infrastructural development; • Meteorology and hydrology are central to the national security (food security, water resources,

energy) of a country; • Meteorological and hydrological information are essential parts of the national Plan; • Existence of national meteorological and hydrological databanks • Existence of Regional Synoptic Basic Network (RSBN); • Real-time operational services; • Existence of infrastructure for sharing meteorological data; • Impact of meteorological data in aviation and marine services.

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Weaknesses/Areas of improvement • Incompatibility of technology between Member countries; • Difficulties in keeping in pace with the rapid technological advances; • Difficulties in the maintenance and sustainability of basic systems; • Poor visibility of NMHSs at national level, leading to low funding from government and the

development partners; • Lack of effective mechanisms for collaboration between public and private sectors and across

scientific disciplines and technical domains; • Gaps between users and providers of meteorological and hydrological information

(communication, understanding and dissemination); • Poor telecommunication network; • Inadequate skilled human resources; • Lack of a defined framework for mainstreaming gender in meteorology; • Low recognition of socioeconomic value of NMHSs and their services; • Lack of legal frameworks for establishment of NMHSs in many Member countries; • Lack of adequate and appropriate climate information system/database on impact analysis. Opportunities • Growing awareness of the public and the decision-makers of how everyday life and the

sustainable development of society are affected by the weather, climate, water resources and the natural environment;

• Growing demand for ever broader range of meteorological and hydrological services; • Existence of development partners and funding agencies as a potential source of resources for

meteorological and hydrological development projects; • The possibility to use new and evolving technologies; • Diversifying in the potential areas like marine meteorology, environmental protection among

others; • Transformation of NMHSs into cost recovery and revenue generation agencies; • Climate change is now a high level political and developmental issue at national, regional and

international levels that has the potential to increase the visibility of NMHSs; • Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe and, therefore, increasing

the need for meteorological and hydrological forecasts and applications; • Partnering with existing regional and sub-regional institutions; • Relevance of meteorological and hydrological information to disaster risk reduction; • Emergence/existence of south-south cooperation and partnerships; • More involvement of NMHSs in regional and sub-regional water, climate and meteorological

and hydrological programmes. Threats

• Inadequate financial support from governments; • Emergence of alternative sources that issue climate and weather information; • Globalization of weather issues through international media and research institutions; • Brain drain and high staff turn-over; • HIV/AIDS and other health pandemics; • Political instability in some countries.

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V-2 Internal analysis This Section looks at emerging issues and specific challenges in the Region as identified by RA I. i) Challenges facing RA I

• Increasing natural hazards in Regional Association I; • Technological gap between NMHSs of developed and developing countries (LDCs) of RA I; • Poor infrastructure and manpower development; • Rapidly increasing societal demands for meteorological, hydrological and related data and

information; • The need to be relevant in the political and socioeconomic development of the Region

(Millennium Development Goals, NEPAD, etc.); • En-mass retirement of staff and slow replacement rate; • Complying with demands by ICAO to be ISO-certified with respect to services to aviation.

ii) Causes of these challenges

• Effect of climate change; • Inadequate allocation of funds to NMHSs to undertake the continuous modernization

resulting from the rapid advances in science and technology; • Inadequate critical mass of qualified human resources in NMHSs; • Non-consideration of the perception of stakeholders as a way of scanning the environment

in which WMO Member States as well as RA I operate; • Poor visibility with governments and some inter-governmental bodies; • External forces (e.g., politics, economics, laws, society, technology).

iii) Desired realizations Once these challenges have been addressed it is anticipated that the following will be realized:

• Enhanced capacities of NMHSs to develop tailor made products to support the socioeconomic development of the Region;

• Enhanced hydrological operations in water resource management and in particular in respect to inland lakes and underground water resources;

• Strengthened regional institutions and Centres of Excellence such as the ACMAD, AGRHYMET, ICPAC, and SADC-DMC;

• Improved delivery of accurate and reliable warnings of severe weather and climate extreme events;

• Enhanced timely availability of forecasts, advisories and warnings to the governments, individuals and industries;

• Enhanced resources mobilization to implement the Strategy; • Increased participation of NMHSs in climate change matters especially in the IPCC,

UNFCCC, and UNCCD and other multilateral processes; • Increased support to WMO LDC Programme; • Active involvement and participation in Regional projects in particular the planned ClimDev

and AMESD projects amongst others; • Improved facilities and human resource capacity required for efficient gathering, exchange

and processing of meteorological observations, data and products; • Enhanced skills in the management of NMHSs;

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• Codes of conduct are in place and practiced by all NMHSs. V-3 External analysis

Since the priority sectors of Member States of Africa are agriculture, transport, communication, energy and water resources, meteorological services play an important role in integration and development of the afore-mentioned economic activities. The meteorological and climatological information are used in the monitoring of the pasture land and assessment of crop yields and similarly planning of agricultural work during the crop growing season. With regard to transport, meteorological information and atmospheric phenomena contribute to ensure the safety of air traffic and land and sea transport. Climatological studies are used for assessment and management of countries energy resources in term of public works the construction of roads and port installations requires in-depth analysis of meteorological data particularly those relating to rainfall, sunshine, wind and humidity, etc. It should be noted that meteorological application have become increasingly important, in particular to combat the adverse effects of drought and desertification in the Sahel and southern Africa and natural disasters such as floods and tropical cyclones in eastern Africa. Furthermore, in the light of recent reports on global warming, far-reaching measures are being taken to improve the monitoring of meteorological and climatic parameters and the management of the global environment. In this regard, meteorological services help to draw up policies on environmental management at the national and regional level of Member States of Africa. These included the contribution made by meteorological services during the preparatory activities for the United National Conference on Environment and Development. They also play an active role in proposing draft regulations for the environment and development. Meteorological Services of the Member countries of Africa play an important role in the economic and social development of the respective countries. The various economic groupings (ECOWAS, SADEC, IGADD, UMA, CEMAC) have integrated Meteorological Services as an area of community action within the continent. In order for the NMHSs of RA I to fulfil their mandates the stakeholders listed in Table 1, among others, have been identified as key partners at various levels

Table 1: Major stakeholders and their linkages to RA I

Stakeholders

Relationship and/or contribution to RA I

At RA I-wide level African Union (AU) Political leadership and support by Heads of State for policy formulation. United Nations Economic Commission of Africa (ECA)

Mobilization of resources from various donors for social and economic development. This will be more crucial in ClimDev Programme.

At Sub-continental level

Regional Economic Communities (SADC, IGAD, ECOWAS, CEMAC, UMA)

Regional coordination of economic development of Member States by way of protocols (including meteorology and hydrology) in various sectors. This includes allocation of financial resources.

River Basin Organizations (Congo,

Trans-national management of water demand at river basins. They need weather forecasts for river control, apportionment and levying (water

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Zambezi, Niger, Nile, Limpopo), plus Inland lake Authorities (Lake Chad, Lake Victoria, etc.)

rights) and dam level monitoring (disaster preparedness).

WMO Regional Training Centres (RTCs)

These Centres have a mandate to contribute to capacity-building of Members of the Region, complimenting training programmes at the national level.

Regional Meteorological Development Institutions (ACMAD, ICPAC, AGRHYMET, SADC-DMC.)

At National level National Governments Political and financial support & inter-ministerial collaboration. This has

an impact on the visibility of, and level of relevance of, NMHSs at national level. NMHSs provide information essential to address issues affecting all citizens, particularly those that are vulnerable to climate and weather vagaries, plus climate change.

National Ministries (Environment, Finance, Health, Agriculture, Energy, Transport, Tourism, Water)

These represent meteorologically-related national interests and responsibilities to cushion all citizens from diseases, poverty alleviation, natural disasters, pollution, etc. Some of these Ministries are parent ministries of NMHSs. They also translate climate information into policy matters.

NMHSs National Universities and Technical Colleges

These are sources of skilled manpower. They also provide academic environment for meteorological and hydrological research.

NGOs Work with local communities and addressing specific and varied interests. They work with/are essential to NMHSs to help communities to mitigate against and/or adapt to climate change and extreme variability.

Private Sector

Stakeholders operating at global level WMO United Nations organizations

These are development partners at national, regional and international levels with specific mandates (social, health, food security, disaster management, etc.).

ICAO, IATA Represent air transport users and providers. They require meteorological forecasts and in-situ observations for operational purposes and flight planning. They represent an important source of revenue for NMHSs.

EUMETSAT Provides satellite-based meteorological information to NMHSs (PUMA, AMESD).

Service providers from outside RA I Global climate research institutions

These operate at the global level using Numerical weather prediction models. Their meteorological products include weather forecasts (short- and medium-range) and climate predictions and future climate scenarios including those covering Africa.

Private Media with global outreach

They provide global weather forecasts. They are a threat to NMHSs. However, as of now, the forecast are of coarse resolution and hardly

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useful at local level. V-4 Current challenges and emerging issues a) Current Challenges

• Increasing natural hazards in Regional Association I; • Technological gap between NMHSs of developed and developing countries (LDCs) of RA I; • Poor infrastructure; • The need to be relevant in the political and socioeconomic development of the Region

(Millennium Development Goals, NEPAD, etc.); • Complying with demands by ICAO to be ISO-certified with respect to services to aviation; • Reduced financial support from government; • Health epidemics; • Sustained human resource development, due to, among others, brain drain, en- mass

retirements, health epidemics; • Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies; • Service delivery and dissemination to end users; • Food and water security; • Low levels of cooperation with the private sector; • Non- recognition of the social and economic benefits of NMHSs’ services; • Attainment of Millennium Development Goals; • Collaboration between NMHSs, research and industrial community.

b) Emerging Issues

• Climate Change; • Rapidly increasing societal demands for meteorological, hydrological and related data and

information; • Emergence of alternative sources that issue climate and weather information; • Globalization of weather issues through international media and research institutions; • Global financial crisis; • Rapid changes in technology.

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VI. WHAT RA I NEEDS TO DO There is a continent-wide desire to ensure that the regional association positions itself with relevant stakeholders in Africa and takes the utmost advantage of the existing WMO infrastructure in Member States and, particularly, those facilities that exist in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, in support of socioeconomic development. Whereas there are a lot of pertinent issues to be addressed in realization of these monumental goals, it is however necessary to identify key building blocks for the attainment of adequate and measurable results through the actualization of a strategic plan. It is in this regard that this strategic plan is sustained upon the following: (a) Cooperation with national and international stakeholders to enable adequate delivery of

weather-, climate- and water-related information and services. There is the need for the regional association to sustain international cooperation and collaboration on critical issues that are essential to development of NMHSs. In this regard the Association is going to continue to ensure that the activities of WMO are downscaled as much as possible at the regional level, taking into account the existing needs and challenges which the continent is facing. In this regard the Association will ensure that in addition to the programmes and activities of WMO, the other complimentary and relevant activities of international organizations and agencies are taken advantage of within the continent. This therefore will be one of the major thrusts of the current strategic plan;

(b) Two-pronged capacity-building for policymakers and also to enable development on human

and institutional resources in NMHSs. The essential issues that should be taken into consideration within the framework of capacity building revolve around the need for enhancement of capacity of relevant actors as and when appropriate. The regional association is aware that more needs to be done in ensuring the awareness of the competencies of NMHSs in African countries. Furthermore education and training traditionally play a critical role in laying adequate foundation for socioeconomic development. In order to make sure that adequate services are delivered while at the same time there is effective and timely uptake of the output of the information from these services by policymakers, there should also be continuous awareness building and exchange of policy-related information with relevant stakeholders. It is in this framework that the Regional Association will promote sustained capacity development efforts in the appropriate directions; namely at the level of policymakers, and human and institutional capacity-building;

(c) The Regional Association further realizes that at the end of the day Africa cannot exclude itself

from the reality of ensuring that appropriate efforts are made at the level of promoting home-grown development of science and technology, with the aim of minimizing wholesale dependency on external support. Various stakeholders in Africa have over the years identified challenges that face sustained development of both indigenous and modern science and technology. The NMHSs are not excluded from the core of national development stakeholders that should take part in promotion of appropriate science and technology for the benefit of their services to the society. This is the reason the Association considers it timely to engage and sustain such engagement of relevant stakeholders especially policymakers, industrial investors and academia, in the development of the multifarious infrastructure that are necessary for achieving these relevant goals;

(d) The Association has a responsibility to play an important role in the crucial issue surrounding

climate change and variability and efforts towards adaptation and mitigation.

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VII. STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS The following have been identified as the key Global Societal Needs on which the WMO’s Strategic Plan is based:

• Improved protection of life, and property (related to impacts of hazardous weather, climate, water and other environmental events and increased safety of land, sea and air circulation and transport);

• Poverty alleviation, sustained livelihoods and economic growth (in connection with the Millennium Development Goals) including improved health and social well-being of citizens (related to weather, climate, water and environmental events and influence);

• Sustainable use of natural resources and improved environmental quality. To respond to the Global Societal Needs as relevant to the Region it is necessary to put an appropriate Strategic Plan in place. This RAI Strategic Plan is guided by the following:

• Continental Vision;

• Mission, core purpose and values;

• RA I major goals: At its fourteenth session RA I agreed that, amongst others, more focus should be given to alleviating poverty in the Region, adapting to rapid changes in information technology, taking cognisance of increasing competitiveness among stakeholders in a growing market economy, and researching in order to address and accommodate various challenges. VII-1 The Vision of RA I The vision of RA I is to provide guidance to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to enable them to produce and deliver timely, accurate and appropriate products and services to the users and thereby contribute to the socioeconomic development. VII-2 Core purpose and values Within the framework of the overall vision of WMO, Regional Association I will, based on this Strategic Plan, be involved in the following:

• Facilitation of regional cooperation and coordination in the establishment of networks of stations for the making of meteorological observations as well as hydrological and other geophysical observations related to meteorology, and to promote the establishment and maintenance of centres charged with the provision of meteorological and related services;

• Promotion of the establishment and maintenance of systems for the rapid exchange of meteorological and related information;

• Promotion of the standardization of meteorological and related observations and to ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics;

• Furthering the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping, water problems, agriculture and other human activities;

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• Promotion of activities in operational hydrology and to further close cooperation between Meteorological and Hydrological Services;

• Encouraging research and training in meteorology and, as appropriate, in related fields, and to assist in coordinating the international aspects of such research and training.

The core purpose of RA I is to assist NMHSs in the Region to help their stakeholders to make informed socioeconomic decisions through the provision of timely, reliable and relevant information on meteorological, hydrological and related natural occurrences. The Region urges the following values to be adhered to by the NMHSs in their quest to increase their visibility, gain respect of their stakeholders and be relevant to the socioeconomic development of their countries:

• Professionalism; • Partnership; • Accountability; • Gender mainstreaming; • Transparency; • Integrity; • Responsiveness.

VII-3 RA I major goals To be more focused, RA I stressed the following goals/issues to be considered in the Plan:

• Enhancing the activities in the WWW Programme (improvement of GTS in RA I in order to improve exchange of information within RA I and between Members, accompanying capacity enhancement in GTS, TC and NWP, data processing and data management and improvement and maintenance of observing networks –RSBN);

• Strengthening relationships with external stakeholders (the African Union and its sub-regional

economic groupings, private sector and multilateral development partners (to ensure NMHSs in the Region are fully engaged in continental GCOS initiatives such as AMESD and CLIMDEV-Africa);

• Further capacitating the Region’s Hydrology and Water Resources Programme (collaboration

between NMSs and NHSs in data exchange, flood forecasting and Warning and implementation of HYCOS projects with respect to inland lakes and underground water resources);

• Facilitating WMO’s World Climate Programme in the Region (active involvement of NMSs in

regional Programmes and projects such CLIMDEV, AMESD and participation in climate change matters especially in the IPCC, UNFCCC and UNCCD among others);

• Increasing involvement of NMHSs in Disaster Risk Reduction (Strengthening the activities of

the RAI and NMHSs to work with partners in dealing with natural disasters and poverty);

• Increase focus on the applications and Services (Strengthening of early warning systems such as those for Tropical Cyclones, drought and Flood also promoting the establishment cost recovery and quality management framework).

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VIII. THE WMO STRATEGIC THRUSTS

These are as follows:

• Improving service quality and service delivery;• Advancing scientific research and application as well as development and implementation of

technology;• Strengthening capacity-building;• Building and enhancing partnerships and cooperation;• Strengthening good governance.

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IX. EXPECTED RESULTS, KEY OUTCOMES AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR RA I (2012- 2015) Global Societal Need 1: Improved protection of life and property (related to impacts of hazardous weather, climate, water and other environmental events and increased safety of land, sea and air circulation and transport)

WMO Strategic Thrust (ST1) Improving serv ice qual i ty and serv ice delivery WMO Expected Results (ER) RA I Expected Results (ER) RA I Key Outcomes (KO) RA I Key Performance

Indicators (KPI) 1.0 Enhanced capabilities of Members to deliver and improve access to high quality weather, climate and water and related environmental predictions, information and services in response to users’ needs and to enable their use in decision-making by all relevant societal sectors

1.1 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs of Africa to access, produce, and deliver high quality weather, climate and water related products and services in response to users’ needs and to enable their use in decision making by all relevant societal sectors.

1.1.1 All NMHSs have migrated to Table Driven Code Format (TDCF) 1.1.2 Ensemble weather forecasts and products easily available from appropriate and designated Global Centres.

• 53 NMHSs in Africa

implementing the TDCF

53 NMHSs utilizing NWP products

2.0 Enhanced capabilities of Members to reduce risks and potential impacts of hazards caused by weather, climate and water and related environmental elements

2.1. Enhanced capabilities and capacities with respect to disaster risk reduction and environmental management in Africa.

2.1.1 Meteorological and hydrological early warning systems are in place in all RA I Member States 2.1.2 Agreements, where appropriate, between NMSs and related agencies on disaster risk reduction with respect to data and information exchange.

• Number of NMHS

incorporated and having specific roles in national disaster risk reduction agencies.

• Number of working

arrangements between NMSs and NHSs

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3.0 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs to produce better weather, climate, and water information, predictions and warnings to support in particular climate impact and adaptation strategies

3.1 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs in Africa to provide better climate predictions and assessments for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

3.1.1 Appropriate internet facilities and websites installed at all NMHSs 3.1.2 Guide to hydrological practices in place

• All 53 NMHSs have

appropriate internet facilities and websites

• Number of Manuals on

Hydrological Practices • Number of workshops

conducted on hydrological practices

4.0 Enhanced capabilities of Members to access, develop, implement and use integrated and inter-operable Earth- and space-based systems for weather, climate and hydrological observations, based on World standards set by WMO, as well as related environmental observations

4.1 Enhanced environment and capabilities of NMHSs of Africa to access and apply earth and space based observing products for use by stakeholders.

4.1.1 The requirements, in the form of a manual, for migration from GTS to WIS in place 4.1.2 Appropriate ICT facilities in place to support GTS and WIS installed at all NMHS

• Number of WIS

workshops held

• Manual on WIS prepared

• All 53 NMHSs have

appropriate ICT facilities in place

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Global Societal Need 2: Poverty alleviation, sustained livelihoods and economic growth (in connection with the Millennium Development Goals) including improved health and social well-being of citizens (related to weather, climate, water and environmental events and influence)

WMO STRATEGIC THRUST (ST2) - Advancing scientific research and application as well as development and implementation of technology;

(ST3) - S t reng then ing capac i ty bu i ld ing

WMO Expected Results (ER)

RA I Expected Results (ER) RA I Key Outcomes (KO) RA I Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

5.0 Enhanced capabilities of Members to contribute to and draw benefits from the global research capacity for weather, climate, water and environmental science and technology development

5.1 Enhanced capabilities and enabled environment for appropriate research institutions in Africa to contribute to and access global research products on weather, climate, water and environmental science and technology development

5.1.1 Five sub-regional databases in standard format available for research and education in support of NMHSs upgraded 5.1.2 Internet facilities and websites to support local access to regional and global research products installed at all NMHSs 5.1.3 Increase in the No of professionals trained in RA I centres of excellence such ACMAD, RTCs and universities

• Number of sub-regional

data bases

• All 53 NMHSs have internet

facilities and websites to support local access to regional and global research products installed at all NMHSs

• 5% increase in the number of graduates from RTCs

• 15% increase in fellowships awarded by WMO to RA I

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6.0 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs, in particular in developing and least developed countries, to fulfill their mandates

6.1 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs of Africa, particularly those in LDCs, to fulfill their mandates

6.1.1 At least 5 NMHS (one in each sub-region) in the LDC category upgraded to WMO and ICAO standards 6.1.2 Five NMHSs of RA I from the LDCs have adequate and qualified human resources by 2015 6.1.3 Increased visibility of NMHSs through support in advocacy and awareness of national authorities and other stakeholders

• Situational reports from NMSs in Least Developed Countries (LDC)

• Number of LDCs with

adequate and qualified human resources measured against the WMO reference databases

• Number of trained personnel in each of the identified 5 NMSs

• Number of NMHSs with

enhanced national budget

• Number of appropriate legislations put in place or augmented in support of the status

• Number of countries with upgraded infrastructure

• No. of workshops held for high-level policy makers

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Global Societal Need 3: Sustainable use of natural resources and improved environmental quality

WMO STRATEGIC THRUST (ST4): Building and enhancing par tnersh ips and coopera t ion

(ST5): S t rengthening good governance WMO Expected Results RA I Expected Results (ER) RA I Key Outcomes (KO) RA I Key Performance

Indicators (KPI) 7.0 New and strengthened partnerships and cooperation activities to improve NMHSs’ performance in delivering services and to increase the value of the contributions of WMO within the UN System, relevant international conventions and national strategies

7.1 New and strengthened partnerships and cooperation activities to improve NMHSs’ performance in delivering services and to increase the value of the contributions of RA I within the relevant international agreements and national strategies in Africa.

7.1.1 Agreements between relevant actors to facilitate cross-boundary warning systems drafted and negotiated. 7.1.2 Partnerships developed between NMHSs and their local communities with communities adopting strategies to cope with climate variability and climate change. 7.1.3 A framework for collaboration between RA I and other Regions established to enhance the development of NWP products. 7.1.4 NMHSs actively participate in inter-governmental activities

• Number of NMHSs with

operational working arrangements finalized

• Number of community

stakeholder workshops and training seminars held

• Number of scientists

exchanged

• Number of joint workshops

and projects

• Number of NMHSs actively involved in national committees

All NMHSs attending internationally agreed multilateral conventions such

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and those related to internationally agreed multilateral conventions such as IPCC, UNFCCC and UNCCD.

as IPCC, UNFCCC and UNCCD

8.0 An effective and efficient Organization

8.1 An effective and efficient Governance system for running RA1.

8.1.1 NMHSs transformed into agencies or implementing cost recovery increased. 8.1.2 Results-based Management (RBM) and Results- based Budget (RBB) adopted by all NMHSs and RTCs in RA I. 8.1.3 Codes of conduct/ ethics have been established by NMHSs and RTCs in the Region. 8.1.4 Oversight mechanisms are in place at all RTCs and WMO sub-regional offices of the Region. 8.1.5 Implementation of Strategic Plan by RA I management.

• Number of NMHSs

transformed into agencies or implementing cost recovery increased

• Number of NMHSs

implementing RBM and RBB

• Number of RA I Member

States with Codes of conduct in place

• Oversight mechanisms in

place

• No. of successes of compliance on governance as audited by the president

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X. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING The strategic plan outlines strategies, outcomes and performance indicators in all areas of WMO thrusts and RA I goals. It is an evolving document. While the vision, core values and goals remain almost intact, the plan for bringing such designs to life requires routine oversight and, in many cases, fine-tuning. By monitoring the progress at regular intervals, the plan is able to absorb the changing environment. The monitoring, evaluation and reporting instruments and timetable in this strategic plan for RA I pivot around capacity enhancement, infrastructural development, user tailor-made product and service improvement and timely accessibility. Most important is the need to upgrade facilities and enhance capacities of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the Least Developed Countries. Most of the performance targets indicators relate to expected results for which NMHSs are primarily responsible. However, due to the fact that RA I does not have an operational budget specifically allocated to it, the majority of these targets are purposeful instead of being strictly controllable. It must be emphasized that RA I outcomes should be owned by the NMHSs. Accordingly, the first line of accountability rests with the RA I Members themselves. This entails on- the- ground performance monitoring and evaluation, which should be done first at the NMHS level. RA I, through the presidency, should be responsible for Region-wide indicators and will be conducting the monitoring through the Sub-regional Offices. In order to ensure appropriate reporting and accountability, it is expected that the reporting process will be along the following lines:

• Annual reports by RA I NMHSs, RTCs and Regional Offices; • Reports by the RA I Advisory Working Group; • Reports by the president of RA I submitted to the Executive Council; • Progress reports of the Regions Working Groups and Rapporteurs appointed by at the

fourteenth session of RA I; • Reports by the president of RA I at the RA I Technical Conference on Management of

National Meteorological Services; • A comprehensive and analytical results-based mid-term review of the Strategic Plan in

2009, focusing on assessment achievements, re-defining targets and re-tasking will be produced by the president of RA I.

Whilst the Association will make the utmost possible effort to ensure that this strategic plan is adequately implemented to the satisfaction of all stakeholders it is however important to underscore the fact that all effort will have to be made to circumvent and take care of the following critical assumptions and risks:

• Political disturbances in RA I countries (R); • national resource allocations are sufficient (A); • political realignment with the development partners (R); • HIV/Aids and epidemics like malaria (R); • RA I Working groups and Rapporteurs will deliver (A); • High staff turnover and en-mass retirement (R); • Appropriate skilled human resource is available (A); • Environment for recruitment of women is conducive (A).

In the course of the delivery of this Plan, the above will form essential reference points against which the success or otherwise of the associated activities will be measured during the evaluation exercise.

29

XI. CONCLUSION It is a scientific fact and documented that African countries are most vulnerable to impacts of climate change (IPCC 4th Assessment Report, 2007). There is, therefore, an urgent need for Africa to take appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures especially in the face of extreme climate-related natural hazards. In addition Africa is, to a large extent, dependent on rain-fed agriculture and hydro-power energy generation. The frequent occurrence of droughts affects these sectors, which in turn impact considerably on the livelihoods of the African populations. Furthermore, the performance of economies in Africa are extremely weather sensitive. It is in this respect that the further development of National Meteorological and Hydrological services is an important contribution to the socio-economic development in Africa. Successful implementation of this Strategic Plan will address these situations. While weather, climate and water impact people locally, the Earth system is responsible for these phenomena on a regional and global scale. Thus, local forecasts and assessments depend on cooperation between neighboring countries, wi th in regions and throughout the entire global community to provide data and regional products. This dependence of countries on each other for weather, climate and water information is the principal reason for the existence of W M O a n d i t s R e g io n a l A s s o c ia t i o n s , which provide the forum for the exchange of data, the transfer of technology and expertise and the sharing of knowledge. The RAI Strategic Plan underscores the urgent need for the upgrading of the basic infrastructures of meteorological and hydrological services in order to enhance the availability of observed data and thereby contribute to the production of timely and accurate forecasts. The Plan also recognizes the benefits of embracing new and emerging technologies in order to benefit fully from partnerships with more advanced institutions outside the Region. The Plan further recognizes the diverse development levels among the countries in Africa and in particular addresses the special needs of the Least Developed Countries. For effective implementation of the Strategic Plan, it is noted that the issues transcend scientific, political and institutional boundaries encompassing many opportunities and risks. The RA I Strategic Plan provides direction for the Association to achieve its objectives.

30

ANNEX 1: MAP OF WMO REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

31

Annex 2: AN EXAMPLE OF HOW RA I CAN CONDUCT ITS MONITORING AND EVALUATION

RA I Strategic Plan 2012-2015

Baselines and Targets RA I ER Objective Variable Indicators

Baseline Targets

Means of Verifications

Assumptions and Risks

1.1 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs of Africa to access, produce, and deliver high quality weather, climate and water related products and services in response to users’ needs and to enable their use in decision-making by all relevant societal sectors

1.1.1 Number of NMHSs that have migrated to Table Driven Code Format (TDCF) 1.1.2 Number appropriate and designated Global Centres easily providing Ensemble weather forecasts and products

2.1. Enhanced capabilities and capacities with respect to disaster risk reduction and environmental management in Africa

2.1.1 Number of RA I Member States with meteorological and hydrological early warning systems. 2.1.2 Number of NMSs with appropriate agreements, between related agencies on disaster risk reduction with respect to data and information exchange.

Assumptions I) National resource allocations are sufficient 2) RA I Working groups and Rapporteurs will deliver 3) Appropriate skilled human resource is available 4) Environment for recruitment of women is conducive Risks 1) Political disturbances in RA I countries

32

Baselines and Targets RA I ER Objective Variable Indicators

Baseline Targets



3.1 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs in Africa to provide better climate predictions and assessments for climate change mitigation and adaptation

3.1.1 Number of NMHSs with appropriate Internet facilities and websites 3.1.2 Available guides for hydrological practices

2) Political realignment with the development partners 3) HIV/Aids and epidemics like malaria 4) High staff turnover and en-mass retirement

4.1 Enhanced environment and capabilities of NMHSs of Africa to access and apply earth and space based observing products for use by stakeholders

4.1.1 Available manual, for migration from GTS to WIS 4.1.2 Number of NMHSs of Appropriate ICT facilities to support GTS and WIS

5.1 Enhanced capabilities and enabled environment for appropriate research institutions in Africa to contribute to and access global research products on weather, climate, water and environmental science and technology development

5.1.1Number of sub-regional databases in standard format available for research and education in support of NMHSs upgraded 5.1.2 Number of NMHSs with Internet facilities and websites to support local access to regional and global research products

33

Baselines and Targets RA 1 ER Objective Variable Indicators

Baselines Targets



6.1 Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs of Africa, particularly those in LDCs, to fulfil their mandates

5.1.3 Number of professionals trained in RA I centres of excellence such ACMAD, RTCs and universities 6.1.1 Number of NMHSs, in each sub-region, in the LDC category upgraded to WMO and ICAO standards 6.1.2 Number of NMHSs of RAI from the LDCs with adequate and qualified human resources by 2015 6.1.3 Number of NMHSs with improved visibility through increase in budgetary allocations by the national authorities and other stakeholders

7.1 New and strengthened partnerships and cooperation activities to improve NMHSs’ performance in delivering services and to increase the value of the contributions of RA I within the relevant international agreements and national strategies in Africa

7.1.1 Number of Agreements between relevant actors to facilitate cross-boundary warning systems drafted and negotiated 7.1.2 Increased Partnerships developed between NMHSs and their local communities on adoption of strategies to cope with climate variability and climate change 7.1.3 Available framework for

34

collaboration between RA I and other Regions to enhance the development of NWP products 7.1.4 Number of NMHSs that have active rule in inter-governmental activities and other related internationally agreed multilateral conventions such as IPCC, UNFCCC and UNCCD

8.1 An effective and efficient Governance system for running RA I

8.1.1 Number of NMHSs transformed into agencies or implementing cost recovery 8.1.2 Number of NMHSs and RTCs that have adopted Results-based Management (RBM) and Results-based Budget (RBB) in RA I 8.1.3 Number of NMHSs and RTCs that have adopted Codes of conduct/ethics in the Region 8.1.4 Number of RTCs and WMO sub-regional offices in the region with oversight mechanisms 8.1.5 Implementation of Strategic Plan by RA I management

_________

World Meteorological Organization RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1)

Submitted by: Secretary-General REGIONAL ASSOCIATION I (AFRICA) Date: 19.XI.2014


CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY REPORTS ON THE ACTIVITIES OF RA I SUBSIDIARY BODIES (2011-2014)

SUMMARY

Management Group (MG) The fifteenth session of Regional Association I (Africa) held in Marrakech, Morocco from 1-8 November, 2010, decided to establish a Management Group (MG) to replace the former Advisory Working Group to advise the president, and to make recommendations on issues of relevance to the Association, with the following among the terms of reference: (a) The Group consist of the president of RA I (Chairperson), the vice-president of RA I, the

chairpersons of the working groups, including the RA I hydrological adviser as chairperson of the Working Group on Hydrology and the EC members of RA I;

(b) The Group focussed on Expected Results 9, 10 and 11. Particular emphasis was given to

capacity-building including: Regional Programme and Resource Mobilization; (c) The MG selected working group members among candidates nominated by Permanent

Representatives, on the basis of individuals’ resumes, and appointed chairs from among group members;

(d) The MG reviewed proposals from the chairpersons regarding procedures and substructures

that assisted in accomplishing the work; (e) The MG, in consultation with the Members, kept under review the needs of the Association,

especially with regard to new or emerging issues. The Management Group monitored the performance of the other subsidiary bodies of the Association. It reviewed proposals from the chairs of the working groups.

The Management Group has held several sessions since the fifteenth session of RA I. The Management Group met in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe from 14–16 November 2011. The session discussed a number of issues affecting the operations of RA I which included among others: (a) The current operational levels of the Regional Office for Africa and the two Field Offices in

Abuja and Nairobi. The MG noted that the Offices were performing their duties under a serious challenge of shortage of personnel. It was reported that the Field Office in Abuja had one international professional staff and one national officer while Nairobi had been operating with only one Professional Staff. Despite this handicap, the offices continued to discharge their responsibilities with diligence. However many opportunities are lost for lack of capacity;

(b) The session discussed WIGOS/WIS. The meeting emphasized the need for integrating all observing systems under one project. Each Member country was requested to appoint a national focal point person to manage the project (WIGOS).

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 2

The meeting agreed to the following recommendations: (a) WIGOS to come with a set of targeted GFCS/WIGOS projects to enhance capabilities of

RA I WMO Regional Centres (WIS, RCCs/RMICs) which should be designed and implemented as a fast track solution;

(b) Rolling and roving seminars and workshops for each RA I sub-region should be organized by WMO until the second quarter of 2013 with the following objectives:

• Communicate benefits of WIGOS/WIS to sub-regions and the whole of Africa where

all stakeholders will be involved; • To provide assistance to National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs)

needed to start the WIGOS implementation process;

(c) The Management Group held a session in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 June 2014. The session discussed the finalization of arrangements with Cabo Verde to host the sixteenth session of RA I, which is expected to be held in February 2015; and preparation of the programme and documents. The session would be preceded by a Regional Technical Conference and end with the Third Session of AMCOMET;

(d) The session noted the slow progress in reporting from the Working Groups and it was

proposed that there should be communication to the Chairpersons of the Working Groups to submit reports, as it related to the fifteenth session of RA I. The MG expressed concern at the unsatisfactory performance of the Working Groups and has requested the sixteenth session of RA I to address this issue;

(e) The PR of Zimbabwe, Dr Amos Makarau, on behalf of the Chairperson of the AMCOMET

Bureau, briefed the session on the Bureau Session of AMCOMET in Harare, Zimbabwe. Issues discussed during the session included the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan for the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services), Constitution and Rules of Procedure, developments on the Joint African Regional Space Programme, establishment of a Regional Climate Centre in Central Africa, the status of implementation of the Quality Management System (QMS) for aeronautical services and the sustainability of the AMCOMET Secretariat and potential avenues for resource mobilization;

(f) Specifically regarding QMS status, the session was informed that out of the 54 countries in

Africa, only 12 countries were compliant to QMS. The session was further informed that countries should be urged to comply;

(g) An update on the implementation of WIGOS in RA I was presented by Dr Amos Makarau

and highlights included the holding of five sub-regional workshops in RA I. As the Task Force Chairperson of the WIGOS/WIS, Dr Makarau indicated that the task has been accomplished successfully. The meeting was further informed that there was a lot of data being held by stakeholders and that the challenge was how to get it. Issues raised include the difficulty in obtaining data from countries and implementation of WIGOS at national level. The Chairperson mentioned that during the first WIGOS meetings, WIS was not included; however, the subsequent meetings included WIS. The meeting noted that so far five sub-regional meetings have been held in RA I and there is one more WIGOS meeting to be undertaken. National WIGOS programmes have now been commenced in RA I.

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 3

Working Group on Observations and Infrastructure The core consisted of eight regional experts, appointed by the MG of RA I, who have demonstrated expertise in the design and management of observational networks (land-based, marine, upper-air, aviation, remote sensing), the management of data and telecommunications. The Group was to focus on Expected Results 1, 4, 5 and 6. The first session on the Regional Association I (Africa) Task Team on WIGOS was convened from 17-21 September 2012, in Nairobi Kenya. The chair of the Task Team recalled the Terms of Reference of the Task Team as defined by the meeting of the Management Group (reduced) held in Geneva in April 2012. He explained the guiding principles of the Team as being to focus on the integration of observing systems and service delivery to meet the user requirements and align the R-WIP with the RA I Strategic and Operating Plans. He also suggested a road map towards drafting the implementation plan according to the WIGOS framework implementation agenda in two phases: a pre-operational Phase (2012-2015) and an Operational Evolution phase (2016-2020). Mr Igor Zahumensky, WIGOS Project Officer from the WMO Secretariat, made presentations on the basic understanding of WIGOS, the WIGOS Framework Implementation Plan (WIP) and the template for the Regional Implementation Plan (R-WIP). These three presentations helped the members of the Task Team understand the overall concept of WIGOS, what it is and what it is not, the operational cycle and features, the management requirements and the key activity areas of its implementation. The presentations also elaborated on the roles of the regional associations, technical commissions and WMO Secretariat. The members of the Task Team recommended the organization of Workshops/Seminars in each sub-region for the Directors of NMHSs and Permanent Representatives and partners to provide a clear understanding of the WIGOS framework. This step is of importance for the success of the WIGOS Implementation Plan. These workshops started in February 2013. The WMO RA I Sub-regional WIGOS Workshop for Southern Africa was convened from 5– 7 June 2013. Dr Amos Makarau, Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe with WMO and Chairperson of the RA I Task Team on WIGOS welcomed the participants to Harare. He briefed the workshop on the objectives and importance of WIGOS in RA I (Africa) in general and in the sub-region of Southern Africa. As the Chairperson of the RA I TT-WIGOS, he reminded the participants of the sub-region of the importance of incorporating all meteorological observations, both those under the National Meteorological Services and those under other entities, into WIGOS. He also reminded the participants that understanding WIGOS will be key for its success in the sub-region. The WMO RA I sub-regional WIGOS Workshop for East Africa was convened from 2–5 June 2014, in Arusha, Tanzania. Dr Amos Makarau, Chairperson of the RA I Task Team on WIGOS explained the RA I WIGOS Implementation Plan preparations, the purposes of the sub-regional workshops, the RA I WIGOS Governance and Working Structure, the activities for 2013-2015 and the challenges facing the implementing of WIGOS in RA I. The sub-regional WIGOS/WIS workshop for North Africa was held in Casablanca, Morocco 18 to 21 November 2013. The workshop was briefed on the Morocco WIGOS Demonstration Project initiated in 2007 and plans to operationalize the WMO Information System (WIS). The workshop established the Task Team on WIGOS for North Africa and developed draft sub-regional WIGOS Implementation Activities, taking into account existing and future sub-regional priorities and the identified Strategic Goals of North Africa for strengthening of observing capabilities of NMSs. The workshop also indicated plans for the implementation of WIS in North Africa.

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 4

The RA I sub-regional WIGOS workshops for West Africa and Central Africa took place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from 12 to 15 November 2013 and Brazzaville, Congo from 29 April to 2 May 2014 respectively. Key outcomes of the workshops include better understanding of WIGOS and WIS by experts in both sub-regions, the establishment of the WIGOS Task Teams for the sub-regions and the development of a draft sub-regional WIGOS Implementation Activities. During the workshops, a number of presentations were done including: a presentation on the concept of WIGOS as a key WMO Foundation for meeting the observing needs of Weather, Climate, Water and Environment Services and the WIGOS Implementation Plan as well as the self-assessment of Members’ readiness for WIGOS implementation. A presentation on the WMO Information System (WIS), its global status, implementation and the Discovery, Access, and Retrieval (DAR) possibilities was given. There was also a presentation on the RA I WIGOS Implementation Plan: the key points and Milestones in the Region and finally a presentation on the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) highlighting the importance of WIGOS and WIS for the framework, as observations and data collection are pillars for GFCS. These presentations helped the participants understand the overall concept of WIGOS and WIS, the management requirements for the sub-region and the key activities areas for their implementation. The main priorities which needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency were: (a) The proliferation of AWSs not respecting WMO specifications; (b) The lack of trained staff in the maintenance of new Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) in

many countries; (c) The implementation of a AMDAR programme in the sub-region, particularly of the Sahara; (d) The operationality of the Upper-air network managed by ASECNA in Madagascar and the

Comoros; (e) The particular situation of South Sudan (Stations, personnel, equipment, etc.); (f) The use by Members of the sub-region of the RIC in Nairobi, Kenya. Working Group on Observations and Infrastructure, composition: (a) Two regional experts on WMO Integrated Global Observing Systems (WIGOS); (b) Two regional experts on WMO Information System (WIS); (c) Two regional experts on instruments and methods of observation (CIMO) (one specializing

in conventional observation systems, and the other in remote sensing); (d) Two telecommunications experts. Uganda served as Chair.

This working group did not function as expected but the experts in telecommunications and WMO WIS participated in the WIGOS/WIS meetings.

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 5

Working Group on Climate Matters and Applications The core consisted of ten regional experts selected by the MG, who have demonstrated expertise in the delivery of climate information and services to key sectors such as energy production, agriculture and health. This Group was to maintain close consultation with the Management Group in order to ensure that cross-cutting tasks are supported by the necessary fields of expertise and properly addressed. The Group was to focus on Expected Results 2, 3, 7 and 8.

Experts met in Nairobi from 17 to 18 June 2013 to discuss the development of CLIMSOFT. This was with the original developers of CLIMSOFT from Zimbabwe and Kenya. It was decided that there is a need to include other experts from other NMHS. It was also resolved that there is need to move to open source software.

A CLIMSOFT Steering Committee and Technical Workshop took place from 30 July to 1 August 2014, Nairobi (Kenya). The first inaugural steering committee was established during a meeting from 29 to 30 July 2014. The steering committee will oversee the development of CLIMSOFT in Africa to make sure that all NMHSs that need a CDMS are availed of the software. The steering committee is chaired by the vice-president of RA I, Dr Amos Makarau and the vice-chairperson is the Director General of ACMAD. Experts on climate and health convened a meeting on strengthening National Climate Data and Information for Malaria Decision-Making in Africa Meeting, 4-5 August 2014, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Specific components of the meeting included: (a) The application of climate science and information to decision-making for malaria

interventions; (b) The scientific basis of the climate context of East Africa - past, present and future and the

implications for decision-making; (c) The use of climate data within national policy planning applying the Enhancing National

Climate Services (ENACTS) approach; and (d) Discussion of the emerging 2014 El Niño and its implications for malaria control and impact

assessment. In addressing climate and health a workshop was convened on the Use of Climate Information in Malaria Stratification/Early Warning Systems/Impact Assessment for Malaria Interventions. The Training Workshop and Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Tanzania Meteorological Agency, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania was held from 16-18 October 2013. Recognizing that the generation of new information and decision support tools does not necessarily guarantee their use, TMA, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Health and Climate Foundation (HCF), NASA and IRI, proposed a critical stakeholder forum to solicit feedback on the data and recently launched products in support of climate resilience and improved health outcomes in Tanzania. The composition of the Working Group on Climate Matters and Applications was as follows: (a) Two regional experts on climate data and data management; (b) Two regional experts on climatic forecast; (c) Two experts on climate research and modelling;

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 6

(d) Two regional experts on agricultural meteorology; (e) Two experts on climate and health. Ethiopia served as Chair. This working group did not function as expected and no report was submitted. Working Group on Improved Weather Forecasting and Natural Disaster Mitigation The core consisted of ten regional experts appointed by the RA I MG, who have demonstrated expertise in weather forecasting and modelling, tropical cyclone observation and management, as well as in natural disaster risk management, in conjunction with international humanitarian bodies. The Group focused on Expected Results 2 and 3. The main long-term objective of the WMO DRR Programme is to contribute to the strengthening of institutional capacities with respect to the provision of meteorological, hydrological and climate services and cooperation in supporting disaster risk management for the protection of lives and property and contributing to sustainable development of Members. Due to information deficiencies, the Group could not meet nor consult to work on the regional aspects of improved forecasting to enhance disaster risk mitigation. As such the Chairperson of the Working Group, Mr Birama Diarra of Mali, proposed the following inputs based mainly on desk review. The full report is attached as Annex 1. Hydrometeorological hazards constitute the dominant cause of natural disasters in all continents, including Africa. Floods and storms account for up to 60% of natural disasters worldwide. Data collected between 1950-2012 show that years 2000 and 2002 recorded the highest number of disasters, with around 520/year. The number of persons affected by natural disasters is highest in Asia, followed by Africa. Meanwhile in terms of financial loss due to disasters, Africa records the lowest figure, despite its high vulnerability. In terms of improving weather and climate forecasts to support disaster risk mitigation in Africa, countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Niger, South Africa and Kenya have developed links with global forecasting centres in a bid to enhance their prediction capabilities. The seasonal prediction forums continue to be held in the various sub-regions at the approach of the rainy season. The products of these forums constitute the main input for the short-term plans of disaster risk management agencies. In the area of climate early warning systems, NMHSs, the AGRHYMET Regional Centre and ACMAD continue to generate periodic bulletins on observed conditions as well as expectations for the future. ECOWAS has adopted a DRR strategy for the West African sub-region and CLIMDEV (Africa) is engaged in strengthening automatic data collection and monitoring by Internet.

The twentieth session of the RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South-West Indian Ocean, took place from 3 to 7 September 2012, Maputo, Mozambique. Specific components of the session included:

(a) Coordination within the WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme;

(b) Review of the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 cyclone seasons (report of RSMC La Réunion; report of members on significant/notable cyclones of the seasons);

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 7

(c) Review of the technical plan and its implementation programme (meteorological component; hydrological component; public weather services delivery component; disaster risk reduction component; research; training);

(d) Assistance required for the implementation of the technical plan and strengthening of the operational plan;

(e) Linkage with WMO Regional Projects (severe weather forecast demonstration project; storm surge watch scheme.

The Committee expressed the desire that its twenty-first session be held before the 2014/2015 cyclone season. Working Group on Improved Weather Forecasting and Natural Disaster Mitigation, composition:

(a) Two regional experts on aeronautical meteorological services; (b) Two regional experts on disaster prevention and mitigation; (c) Two regional experts on marine meteorological and oceanographic services; (d) Two experts on tropical cyclones;

(e) Two experts on modelling and research for short- and medium-term forecasts. Mali served as Chair. Working Group on Hydrology The core consisted of the RA I Hydrological Adviser who served as chairperson of the working group and seven regional experts appointed by the RA I MG, who have demonstrated expertise in water resource management, including flood forecasting, and in the application of hydrological information to the evaluation of water availability or real-time flow monitoring. The Group will focus on Expected Results 1 and 2. The composition of the Working Group on Hydrology, included: (a) Three experts on hydrological modelling and flood forecast; (b) Three experts on water resource management; (c) Two experts on hydrological data management. Tunisia served as Chair.

The Working Group did not meet, but the experts on hydrological modelling and flood forecast, under the leadership of South Africa, submitted a report on the Southern African Regional Flash Flood Guidance System: RSMC Pretoria Report. The Southern African Regional Flash Flood Guidance system (SARFFG) is one of the regional projects of the WMO Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) project aiming to implement regional flash flood guidance systems in various parts of the world in support of improved warnings against flash flooding. The full report is attached as Annex 2.

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 8

The SARFFG now been operationally implemented for seven countries in Southern Africa, with RSMC Pretoria as the regional centre. Case studies have provided reason to believe that the system has the potential to be a significant enhancement of Southern Africa’s early warning system against weather-related hazards by providing the hydrological input to guide flash flood warnings.

The SARFFG system is implemented in synergy with the Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project (SWFDP) of WMO, which has developed the framework for severe weather warning system coordination in the SADC region between RSMC Pretoria, NMHSs and national stakeholders such as disaster management agencies. Follow-up activities are envisaged to continue with capacity-building of forecasters and to create a close link between SWFDP-SA and SARFFG, both at forecaster level and in issuing relevant warnings. Working Group on Education and Training The core will consist of six regional experts, appointed by the RA I MG, who have demonstrated expertise in meteorology, hydrology, climate and information system training. The chair, as appointed by the MG, in consultation with members of the Group, may propose to the RA I Management Group the establishment of task teams to deal with specific issues related to training and capacity-building. The composition of the Working Group on Education Training included: (a) Three regional experts on initial basic training; (b) Three regional experts on continuing education and training. Egypt served as Chair. This working group did not function as expected and no report was submitted.

__________

Annexes: 2

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 9

ANNEX 1

FINAL REPORT

WORKING GROUP ON IMPROVED WEATHER FORECASTING AND NATURAL DISASTER

MITIGATION IN WMO REGIONS

Birama DIARRA

Director of Weather and Climate Applications, chairperson of the Working Group on Improved Weather Forecasting and Natural Disaster Mitigation

CONTENTS

1- Introduction

2- Trends in natural disasters and their impact

3- Steps taken to improve forecasting and disaster management in Africa and Mali

4- Outlook and current situation on forecasting

5- Conclusion and recommendations

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 10

1- Introduction

• Reminder: The main long-term objective of the WMO Disaster Risk Reduction Programme is to contribute to the strengthening of institutional capacities with respect to the provision of meteorological, hydrological and climate services and cooperation in support of disaster risk management to protect lives and property and contribute to sustainable development.

The aim of the programme is to assist Members in providing services designed to protect lives, livelihoods and property in a cost-effective, systematic and sustainable manner.

The scope of the Programme is defined through five strategic objectives underpinned by the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015 and approved by the Fifteenth World Meteorological Congress:

• Development, improvement and sustainability of early warning systems, in particular with regard to scientific and technical infrastructures, systems and capabilities for research, observing, detecting, forecasting and warnings of weather-, water- and climate-related hazards;

• Development, improvement and sustainability of standardized hazard databases and metadata, systems, methods, tools and applications of modern technologies, such as geographical information systems for recording, analysing and providing hazard information for risk assessment, sectoral planning, risk transfer and other informed decision-making;

• Development and delivery of warnings, specialized forecasts and other products and services that are timely, understandable to those at risk and driven by requirements of disaster risk reduction decision processes and operations engaging socioeconomic sectors;

• Stimulate a culture of resilience and prevention through strengthening of capacities for better integration of meteorological, hydrological and climate products and services in disaster risk reduction across all socioeconomic sectors such as land use planning and infrastructure design, and continued public education and outreach campaigns;

• Finally, strengthening cooperation and partnerships of WMO and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in national, regional and international user forums and mechanisms and structures for the implementation of disaster risk reduction.

In light of this Programme, Regional Association I (RA I) established at its fifteenth session in Morocco in 2010, following Resolution 18 (XIV-RA I), the Working Group on Improved Weather Forecasting and Natural Disaster Mitigation, chaired by Mr Birama Diarra, Director of Weather and Climate Applications of the National Meteorological Agency of Mali (MALI-METEO). It should be noted that the nomination letter was recently signed on 12 August 2014 by the WMO Representative for North, Central and West Africa (Mr Gomez).

The Group was composed of:

• Felix O. Ikekhua (Nigeria);

• Rosemary Michihiyo (United Republic of Tanzania);

• Awupeyagi Ayilari-Naa Juati (Ghana);

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 11

• Johan Stander (South Africa);

• Hassan Bouksim (Morocco);

• Dunputh Balraj Harlkrishna (Mauritius);

• Jonas Zucule (Mozambique);

• Siham Sbii (Morocco);

• Aida Diongue Niang.

Unfortunately, the Group was not able to move forward as planned due to deficiencies in information concerning WMO among members of the Group. Nevertheless, WMO organized a meeting in Zimbabwe in November 2011 to address this issue.

This report summarizes documentation on disaster trends around the world and in Africa and the steps taken to improve forecast and disaster management products, particularly in Africa. The report is not exhaustive but rather outlines the information available over the past 50 years, including the impact and outlook of the disasters.

2- Trends in natural disasters and their impact

Source: http://www.notre-planete.info/terre/risques_naturels/catastrophes_naturelles.php

2.1- Types of natural disasters worldwide

Flooding and storms have remained the most frequent disasters over the last few years. They account for more than 60% of natural disasters worldwide. The 14% attributed to epidemics is also worthy of note.

[From top to bottom of list: Insect infestations; Tsunamis; Volcanic eruptions; Drought; Fire; Extreme temperatures; Mass movements; Earthquakes; Epidemics; Storms; Flooding]

Types of disasters worldwide from 1990 to 2007; courtesy of EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, www.em-dat.net, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, June 2007.

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 12

2.2- Number of natural disasters worldwide

According to the EM-DAT graph below, the years 2000 and 2002 recorded the highest number of disasters, with about 520 natural disasters per year.

Number of natural disasters recorded worldwide from 1950 to 2012; © notre-planete.info; data provided by EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, www.emdat.be, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, March 2014.

2.3- Mortality and number of people affected by natural disasters worldwide

Although it is difficult to identify a trend between 1950 and 2012 in the number of people killed in natural disasters, an increase in the number of disasters and the number of people affected can be seen over the last few decades. The latter trend could be linked to the rampant growth of the global population and the rapid spread of urbanization, and the significant rise in temperatures since 1980.

On average per year, from 2000 to 2012, more than 220 million people were affected by natural disasters and more than 92,000 were killed.

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 13

[Top left: Million; purple: People affected; red: Deaths; top right: Thousand]

Mortality and number of people affected by natural disasters worldwide from 1950 to 2012; the number of deaths due to natural disasters is shown in red; the number of people affected by natural disasters is shown in purple; © notre-planete.info; data provided by EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, www.emdat.be, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, March 2014.

2.4- Geographical distribution of natural disasters

This graph highlights the impact of natural disasters in Asia, which is certainly related to the continent’s demographic weight. However, it is the most developed countries that have suffered heavier economic losses.

[Top left: Billion; columns from left to right: Africa; Americas; Asia; Europe; Oceania; blue: People affected; red: Cost]

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 14

Number of people affected and cost (in US$) of natural disasters from 1950 to 2012; © notre-planete.info; data provided by EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, www.emdat.be, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, March 2014.

Africa has been less affected by disasters and the cost has been very low, but given the vulnerability of the continent, the impact has been considerable.

Number of natural disasters by country from 1976 to 2005; courtesy of the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), 2007.

2.5- Cost of natural disasters

The economic cost of natural disasters has been rising, with major disasters in developed countries where the proliferation of infrastructure and facilities has significantly increased the amount of damage caused. For example, the graph below shows the economic impact of:

• The Kobe earthquake (Japan) in 1995: US$ 100 billion in damages;

• Hurricane Katrina (United States of America) in 2005: US$ 125 billion in damages;

• The Sichuan earthquake (China) in 2008: US$ 85 billion in damages;

• The Honshu tsunami (Japan) in 2011: US$ 210 billion in damages.

From 2000 to 2012, natural disasters cost on average about US$ 130 billion per year worldwide!

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[From left to right: Kobe earthquake; Hurricane Katrina; Sichuan earthquake; Honshu tsunami]

Cost of natural disasters in US$ billion per year since 1950; © notre-planete.info; data provided by EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, www.emdat.be, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, March 2014.

Natural disasters worldwide by type

While hydrometeorological disasters are frequent and rising rapidly, a very marked increase can also be seen in the total number of disasters worldwide.

[Left to right: Biological; Climatic; Geological; Hydrological; Meteorological; Total]

Type and number of natural disasters worldwide from 1950 to 2012; © notre-planete.info; data provided by EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, www.emdat.be, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium, March 2014

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 16

References:

Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters; EM-DAT: the International Disaster Database; International Strategy for Disaster Reduction

Source: http://www.notre-planete.info/terre/risques_naturels/catastrophes_naturelles.php

2.6- Natural disasters worldwide and in Africa in 2013

(Reference: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, Institute of Health and Society, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, Tel.: +32 27643327; [email protected]; www.cred.be)

Data from around the world collected and analysed by the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium show that in the year 2013, there were approximately 315 disasters, with 22 279 deaths and 95 349 145 people affected. The global impact is estimated at about US$ 116 billion.

The number of natural disasters in 2013 by continent varied, with 154 in Asia, 64 in the Americas, 45 in Africa, 43 in Europe and 9 in Australia. The percentage of deaths by continent from 2003 to 2012 was 62% in Asia, 23% in the Americas, 12% in Europe and 1% in Africa. In 2013, the percentage of deaths was 88% in Asia, 4% in Europe, 3.9% in the Americas, 3.8% in Africa and 0.1% in Australia.

These statistics show the extent to which disasters affect the continents and population, revealing how important it is for the issue to be given special attention.

3- Steps taken to improve forecasting and disaster management in Africa and Mali

In Africa, particularly in Morocco, Egypt, Niger, South Africa and Kenya, several centres have developed links with major global centres in a bid to develop and further improve weather forecasting.

Among the various products, we can point to the development of seasonal forecasts in East and West Africa to provide authorities and users with forecasts two to three months before the rainy season begins. This tool remains crucial for developing countries that support the planning of development activities, particularly agro-sylvo-pastoral activities, each year.

Information bulletins and warnings are prepared and disseminated by the AGRHYMET Regional Centre in collaboration with NMHSs.

The African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development also regularly prepares an early-warning advisory on climate and health to help with decision-making. The Economic Community of West African States has implemented a subregional strategy for disaster risk management. Mechanisms are also being developed in countries through the Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev-Africa) programme in order to strengthen automatic data collection networks and close monitoring via the Internet.

In Mali, several projects are underway to strengthen the development of forecasts and disaster risk management, including:

• The establishment of the Directorate General for Civil Protection in charge of disasters;

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• The establishment of the National Meteorological Agency;

• The implementation of a flood watch unit and the Food Security Commission;

• The rehabilitation and extension of weather observation networks following the 2012 events in the north when seven main agroclimatic stations and six synoptic stations were destroyed;

• A closed user-group is being formed with Orange Mali as part of the effort to improve data transmission;

• The development of a national strategy on disaster risk reduction;

• The establishment of the national platform for disaster risk reduction;

• Station inspections are conducted to identify deficiencies in the equipment and the collection and archiving of data;

• As part of the contribution of weather information to disaster risk management and prevention, the following activities are being conducted:

o Identifying climate hazard-prone areas to issue early warnings for the prevention of food crises (drought and flooding);

o Developing a seasonal forecast of the quality of the rainy season (Seasonal Forecast for West Africa (PRESAO));

o Preparing daily and weekly weather forecasts of high-impact events (dust clouds, cold and hot periods, heavy rain);

o Preparing bulletins for the public, with specific bulletins sent to WMO;

o A Memorandum of Understanding is being signed by the Government of Mali and African Risk Capacity (ARC), a specialized agency of the African Union, concerning the ARC programme to strengthen national capacities; MALI-METEO has been appointed as focal point for the subgroups;

o Recording rainfall and drought modelling (Water Requirement Satisfaction Index (WRSI));

o The development and use of a tool for forecasting flooding in the Inner Niger Delta that provides information to people (farmers, herders, fishermen, pirogue sailors) on flood behaviour. The tool works as an early warning system for regional and national administrators and international emergency funds for disaster risk reduction, and helps to prepare action or emergency plans.

On a practical level, daily and weekly forecasts are regularly prepared and disseminated to warn about flooding and drought events. The flooding on 28 August 2013, which resulted in more than 50 deaths in Bamako and significant material damage, had been announced in the MALI-METEO bulletin.

For the 2014 season, seasonal forecast products were widely communicated to authorities verbally and via television and radio broadcasts.

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The more than 30-day absence of effective rainfall that began in the third 10-day period in June 2014 and the few cases of flooding in August 2014 were also announced. However, it must be recognized that local forecasts are lacking in precision and the mechanism for the delivery of these products is inadequate.

4- Outlook and current situation on forecasting

“Thanks to major investments in research and observations, today’s five-day forecast is as reliable as the two-day forecast of 20 years ago.”

“Now meteorologists and climate scientists are developing ‘seamless weather and climate forecasts’ that further blur the boundaries between weather and climate science. Scientific progress will make weather information and forecasts increasingly powerful tools for reducing risks from extreme events and managing the transport, energy, water and other vital systems that we all depend on.”

Numerical weather prediction centres worldwide have developed “ensemble forecasts”, composed of more than 50 simulations of events such as a storm’s potential path. The probability of each possible path, as well as the storm’s intensity, can be calculated based on these predictions. For Hurricane Sandy, which devastated parts of the Caribbean and of the eastern United States in 2012, this approach helped give the first indication that the storm was following a very unusual path.

Another promising field of research combines improved observations and computing power to detect and understand the larger-scale trends and cycles of the weather and climate system. Better understanding of the way in which the oceans and atmosphere interact has led to an improved understanding of observable seasonal and sub-seasonal patterns, in particular in the tropics.

The most well-known and important of these patterns is the El Niño/Southern Oscillation, but there are other large-scale pressure centres that also affect the weather and climate and provide valuable input for weather forecasts. As a result of research and development on advanced models that integrate atmospheric and ocean dynamics, it is now possible to successfully predict more phenomena of this type than ever before. This means that we can expect tremendous progress in the capacity and utility of weather and climate forecasts over the coming decade.

In the longer term, over the next 20 years, forecasters will probably focus more on modelling the Earth system to enable seamless weather and climate forecasts to evolve into impact-oriented seamless weather–climate forecasts. Highly sophisticated models will increasingly integrate Earth system components and processes. In addition to the atmosphere and oceans, they will integrate more precise information on topography, changes in land cover, vegetation, rivers, lakes, clouds and socioeconomic trends in order to provide each user with specific decision-support services that will prove to be useful in many aspects of our lives.

We can already point to the research conducted by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicating that the average global land and ocean surface temperature had reached 16.22°C (margin of error: 0.09°C) in June 2014, or 0.72°C above the twentieth century average (15.5°C). This surpasses the previous record, set in 2010, by 0.03°C. Nine of the ten warmest Junes on record have occurred during the twenty-first century, including each of the past five years (Reference: WMO).

Finally, meteorologists are stepping up efforts to make forecasts that are more precise, useful and long-term over the next decade. Thousands of scientists and experts wanting to make solid progress met in Montreal in August 2014 for the first World Weather Open Science Conference to

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define the priorities of future scientific research and its potential to generate better innovative weather services. The findings will serve as a springboard for strengthening capacities in Africa.

5- Conclusion and recommendations

Improving weather forecasting and reducing natural disaster risk remains a priority of NMHSs given their duty to contribute to the safety of life and property, and also because of the resulting impact on the socioeconomic development of countries, in particular developing countries.

Considering the very high number of natural disasters over the last few decades in Africa, vigilance and enhanced monitoring of the changes in extreme events, especially with regard to the prediction of such events, are needed to build a solid basis for disaster warning and management strategies.

It is recommended that NMHSs, in collaboration with WMO, redouble their efforts to modernize and strengthen not only NMHS infrastructure and the data collection network but also human and technical capacities in order to develop the best products and information in a timely manner and ensure an appropriate communication strategy, especially in Africa.

It is also strongly recommended that national and subregional strategies including national platforms and emergency response plans for disaster risk reduction be developed with substantial financial resources – the only way to ensure that appropriate mechanisms to combat climate change are in place.

The challenges of strengthening disaster risk reduction in Africa include, among others:

• Inadequate development of policies and institutional frameworks;

• Inadequate emergency response and disaster risk management mechanisms;

• The low priority given to disaster risk reduction;

• The lack of funding and budgetary allocations;

• Poor knowledge management;

• Having a centralized approach;

• Insufficient institutional and human capacities;

• The lack of guidance or gender inclusion.

________

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ANNEX 2

SOUTHERN AFRICAN REGIONAL FLASH FLOOD GUIDANCE SYSTEM: RSMC PRETORIA REPORT

Eugene Poolman

South African Weather Service

March 2014

1. Introduction

Recent flooding events in Southern Africa dramatically demonstrated the devastating impact of flooding on the region. According to the CRED Disaster Database about 90% of natural disasters in Southern Africa are weather-related. Of these, floods are causing the most damage and result in more deaths than any other natural disaster. Flash floods are defined by the World Meteorological Organization as “a flood of short duration with a relatively high peak discharge” and “a flood that follows the causative event (such as heavy rain) within a few hours”. Currently flooding within six hours of the causative event is taken as this break between a flash flood and a normal river flood.

The typical early warning system for flash floods in countries is based on heavy rain warnings “with potential for flash flooding” without any knowledge which river basins are prone to flash flooding at the time. This is due to the difficulty to model in real-time hydrologic response of small river catchments on heavy rain warnings, which is typically the case in most countries, including highly developed countries, in the world. The vaguely worded warning inadvertently weakens the effect of the early warning to prompt reaction among communities at risk, or vigilance from disaster management structures at the river basins in danger of being flooded. Thus, a real need exists for a flash flood warning system which combines meteorological heavy rainfall warnings with hydrological information in a robust way to guide more accurate warnings about imminent flash floods in affected river basins.

2. SARFFG

2.1 Overview

The Southern African Regional Flash Flood Guidance system (SARFFG) is one of the regional projects of the WMO Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) project aiming to implement regional flash flood guidance systems in various parts of the world in support of improved warnings against flash flooding. The Hydrologic Research Center (HRC), a non-profit public benefit corporation located in San Diego, California, USA, has developed a concept for the implementation of a Flash Flood Guidance System with Global Coverage that can be used as a diagnostic tool by National Meteorological and Hydrologic Services (NMHSs) and disaster management agencies to develop warnings for flash floods. The purpose behind this initiative is to improve the worldwide response by federal, state, and local governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the public to the occurrence of flash floods. This system is designed to be incorporated into NMHS operations and used along with other available data, systems, tools, and local knowledge to aid in determining the near-term risk of a flash flood in small streams and basins. The system can be used in its real-time mode or in a forecast mode when outputs are used along with NWP precipitation forecasts.

The first meeting of the SARFFG project was an initiating workshop in April 2008. This was followed by the kick-off workshop on 28-30 July 2009 also in Pretoria, South Africa. Following this

RA I-16/INF. 5.3(1), p. 21

second workshop, seven countries in the Region, namely Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe submitted letters of commitment to participate in this project. RSMC Pretoria, hosted by the South African Weather Service, agreed to be the regional centre for this activity. In October 2011 a third regional meeting was held in Pretoria to discuss progress of the project with representatives of the involved countries, the developers and WMO.

The FFGS (or SARFFG as the SADC regional version is called) uses satellite-based rainfall estimation as major input to the soil moisture and runoff modelling system over the 8000 river basins covering seven countries and the model update times are 6-hourly. The main aim of the flash flood guidance systems such as SADC SARFFG is to provide guidance to weather forecasters on the potential for flash flooding in a specific basin. It is thus very similar in purpose to Numerical Weather Prediction models, but focussing on hydrometeorological now-casting. It is not intended to provide directly products to the public, but guidance to forecasters.

Figure 1: The modelling process of the SARFFG

2.2 System development

According to the development plan, the Hydrologic Research Center (HRC) from San Diego, USA, developed SARFFG based on the CAFFG system implemented in Central America. Once the system development was concluded, the processing unit was transferred to RSMC Pretoria for operational processing and guidance generation. Each of the seven countries has access to country-specific products on the main server at RSMC Pretoria through the Internet. Each country is responsible for sending their rainfall data, including non-GTS stations, to RSMC Pretoria on a daily basis where it is collated into a standard bulletin for use in the SARFFG model to do bias correction on the satellite rainfall products. Training activities were included in the project plan aimed at the forecasters of RSMC Pretoria and the seven countries on how to use the system effectively for providing guidance on potential flash floods that could lead to warnings. Training of the technical staff at RSMC Pretoria focussed on the maintenance and operation of the SARFFG system and software.

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2.3 Progress with implementation

Phase 1: Development

Phase 1 of SARFFG was concluded in 2012 following a regional meeting in September 2011. It entailed the development of the system and implementing a test system in a beta format. The SARFFG system was running on the computers of the HRC for more than a year, and it could be accessed by forecasters in the Region remotely, though the access was extremely slow.

Phase 2: Implementation

The implementation phase finally came to its conclusion during the first quarter of 2014. The following activities took place in Phase 2:

• The physical transfer of the SARFFG modelling system from HRC in San Diego to RSMC Pretoria, where it will run operationally for the Region, took place in February 2014. The system was successfully transferred and started running operationally at RSMC Pretoria from 21 February. This significantly enhanced access speed to the system compared to the slowness of the access when it was still running in San Diego. RSMC Pretoria ICT staff is now responsible for the operational aspects of SARFFG modelling system;

• The second activity in the implementation phase was the 3-day regional training workshop from 24-26 February 2014 at RSMC Pretoria for representatives of each participating country. This training session was conducted by two trainers from the HRC in San Diego, supported by three forecasters trained in January 2013 for 6 weeks in San Diego. The training culminated in a resolution of accepting the operational implementation of the SARFFG system, with the active support by RSMC Pretoria. Arrangements are now being made for forecasters of RSMC Pretoria to provide daily high-level guidance products on potential flash flood activity in SADC to the SADC countries.

Subsequent to the training workshop, the SARFFG are part of the operational guidance tools of forecasters and hydrologists to issue flash flood warnings in their countries in collaboration with their DMCPAs. A link to the SARFFG has been placed on the RSMC Pretoria website, and links to the guidance products will be implemented in due course.

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Figure 2: Forecaster console of the SARFFG system

2.4 Integration of flash flood warning system into disaster management systems

Any flash flood guidance system (like the proposed SARFFG) needs to be part of the early warning procedures of disaster management centres. The SARFFG system essentially provides guidance to weather forecasters in support of their decision-making regarding issuing potential flash flood warnings. It will form an important link in the chain of the early warning system for flash floods. This end-to-end warning chain addresses from the detection and monitoring adverse weather phenomena using the SARFFG system, to the issuing of warnings, the dissemination of warnings and integrating it into decision-making processes of disaster management structures to reach all communities at risk (see Figure 1).

3. Conclusion

The SARFFG has now been operationally implemented for seven countries in Southern Africa, with RSMC Pretoria as the regional centre. Case studies have provided reason to believe that the system has the potential to be a significant enhancement of Southern Africa’s early warning system against weather-related hazards by providing the hydrological input to guide flash flood warnings.

The SARFFG system is implemented in synergy with the Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project (SWFDP) of WMO, which has developed the framework for severe weather warning system coordination in the SADC region between RSMC Pretoria, NMHSs and national stakeholders such as disaster management agencies. Follow-up activities are envisaged to continue with capacity-building of forecasters and to create a close link between SWFDP-SA and SARFFG, both at forecaster level and in issuing relevant warnings.

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__________

(a) 6 hour total Mean Areal Precipitation (MAP) as calculated from MSG

(b) Corresponding 6 hour Flash Flood Guidance (FFG) indicating amount of rain needed in each basin for bank full at its outlet

(c) 6 hour Flash Flood Treat (FFT) indicating which basins could receive excess rain and are thus in danger of flash floods should the rain of the previous 6 hours continue for the next 6 hours

Figure 3: Typical Basic Products of the SARFFG system

RA I-16/Doc. 3, DRAFT 1, p. 4

APPENDIX B: PROGRESS REPORT FOR INFORMATION –

NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL SUMMARY

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION ON THE INTERSESSIONAL PERIOD 2010–2014

Introduction 1. This report covers the period from the fifteenth session of the Association (January 2011 to October 2014). Members of the Association 2. The number of Members of the Association remained at 57 during the period. Officers of the Association 3. During the period under review, Dr M.L. Bah (Guinea) and Dr A. Makarau (Zimbabwe) served as president and vice-president of the Association, respectively. Regional working groups and rapporteurs 4. The fifteenth session of RA I established a number of Working Groups and Rapporteurs to perform designated assignments. While some Working Groups and Rapporteurs did commendable jobs, it will be noticed that in some cases action needs to be taken to enhance the performance of the groups. The Association will be requested to come up with innovative approaches including effective communication mechanisms to enhance the performance of the Working Groups and Rapporteurs. 5. The future working mechanism including the establishment of working groups based on the Expected Results of the WMO Strategic Plan and the Strategic Plan for the Enhancement of NMHSs in RA I will be discussed under agenda item 5.3 - Internal matters of the Association at this session [ref. RA I-16/Doc. 5.3(1)]. Major regional events and outcomes 6. The second session of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET-2) was successfully organized by WMO, the African Union Commission and the Government of Zimbabwe in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 15-19 October 2012. A new AMCOMET Bureau was elected and the Report of the Second Session, containing the following key decisions was endorsed by the African Union (AU) Summit of Heads of State and Government in January 2013. These include: (a) The approval of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate

Services);

(b) The establishment of a Task Force to develop the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan for the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services);


(c) The establishment of a Task Force to review the Constitution and Rules of Procedures of AMCOMET;

(d) The establishment of a Joint Task Force to investigate the feasibility of developing an

African Regional Space Programme, ensuring close coordination with relevant African Union Commission Departments and stakeholders;

(e) Taking necessary steps to establish a Regional Climate Centre for Central Africa in

collaboration with WMO and partners;

(f) Taking the necessary steps to ensure that African National Meteorological Services meet the ICAO requirements regarding Quality Management Systems.

7. The AMCOMET Secretariat organized a Meeting of Experts and Stakeholders for the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan for the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) from 10–12 February 2014, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting reviewed and provided feedback on the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan and further agreed to seek a common AUC-AMCOMET Secretariat request for a donor round table to present activities within the Implementation Plan with a view to eventually having a Weather and Climate Services Financing Facility. 8. A validation of the Draft Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan by Member States was also conducted through REC meetings, where the AMCOMET Secretariat presented the plan and requested feedback from Member States. EAC, ECOWAS, ECCAS, CEMAC, AMU and SADC (through MASA), Member States were consulted. 9. The Second AMCOMET Bureau meeting took place in Harare, Zimbabwe from 29-30 May 2014. The Bureau adopted the Reports and Recommendations of the following Task Forces:

(a) The Constitution and Rules of Procedures;

(b) The Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan;

(c) The Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services);

(d) The Joint Task Force to investigate the feasibility of developing an African Regional

Space Programme;

(e) The establishment of a Regional Climate Centre for Central Africa;

(f) The sustainability of the AMCOMET Secretariat. 10. At the kind invitation of the Government of Zimbabwe, coupled with support from WMO, the RA I Management Group Meeting was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe from 14-16 November 2011. The meeting saw the participation of Partners such as the China Meteorological Administration and Finnish Meteorological Institute that have been working with WMO and NMHSs in the Region. The meeting reviewed the activities of the Development and Regional Activities Department and noted with appreciation the efforts being made to strengthen the Regional Offices, despite the limited budgetary allocations. The WMO Office for Eastern and Southern Africa mobilized resources through a project on Climate Change and Agricultural Production which has helped to increase the staff capacity of the Office. The Council was urged to continue supporting the DRA office since DRA is the link between NMHSs and WMO.


11. On the regional aspects of WMO major initiatives, the meeting reviewed and adopted recommendations on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), implementation of Quality Management Services (QMS) for aviation weather services, the Capacity Development Strategy and the programme for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The meeting also took note of the activities of Sub-Regional Climate Centres, the RA I Strategic Operational Plan, the Role of Permanent Representatives (PRs) with WMO in AMCOMET, reports from chairpersons of Working Groups and Partners’ Round Table. 12. As part of the implementation of the GFCS in Africa, pilot projects were initiated in Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Mali. A GFCS project office has recently been set up in Dakar to coordinate implementation in the pilot countries. Two Climate Adaptation projects were established in the Region under the GFCS with funding from Norway for Tanzania and Malawi. These are 3-year projects that will run from 2014-2016. 13. The 20th session of the RA I Tropical Cyclones Committee which took place in Maputo, Mozambique from 3–7 September 2012, developed actions in the reduction of disaster risks for the people in the Region. 14. The 17th meeting of the Heads of Meteorological Services on real-time data monitoring was held in accordance with the approved EAC Calendar of Activities for the period July- December 2013. The meeting took place from 30 November to 8 December 2013. The aim of the meeting was to assess real-time meteorological data availability and improvements in the observational network in the East African Community (EAC) region. 15. The engagement of Regional Economic Groups in promoting weather and climate services in the Region saw the holding of the 10th and 11th Meetings of Committee of Directors of NMSs of ECOWAS Member States in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from 11–13 July 2012 and 13– 15 May 2014 in Banjul, The Gambia, respectively. Topics discussed include the ECOWAS Meteorology Programme, the implementation of QMS and the challenges faced, and the establishment of National Frameworks for Climate Services. 16. The 5th Conference of Directors of West African NMHSs was organized by the State Meteorological Agency of Spain (AEMET) and WMO in Boadilla del Monte, Spain from 22– 24 October 2012 and came up with the Boadilla del Monte Action Plan. 17. WMO and Global Climate Centres continued to support the organization of the West African Climate Forum (PRESAO), the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHARCOF), the Central African Climate Outlook Forum (PRESAC), the Northern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (PRESANORD), and the Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF). It is worthy of note that the products are widely used by stakeholders in the Region. 18. The Association acknowledged the roles of the WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs including the WMO Office for North, Central and West Africa and WMO Office for Eastern and Southern Africa in various regional capacity development activities, facilitating implementation of WMO regional events, maintaining close contact with Members, providing support to meet Members requirements, and addressing WMO cross-cutting programmes, all being carried out in close collaboration with Members and relevant regional organizations. The WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs assisted Member States in South Sudan and Djibouti in developing their strategic plans for the development of meteorology in their countries through consultants. In South Sudan, the development of strategic plans was followed by a high-level meeting in November 2013. The Association recognized the support by the Finish Meteorological Institute in South Sudan. 19. The WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs participated in the Working Group (extended) meeting for disaster risk reduction, Abuja, Nigeria 11-12 March 2014 organized by AUC and


UNISDR in preparation for the 5th Africa Regional platform to take place from 13-16 May 2014 in Abuja, Nigeria. WMO contributed to the post-Hyogo 2015 strategy for Africa. 20. The African Centre for Meteorological Applications to Development (ACMAD) submitted a status report, as part of its application for designation as a WMO Regional Climate Centre (RCC). The president of RA I has since conveyed the request for initiation of the process for designation as an African Regional Climate Centre to the Secretary General of WMO in mid-August 2014. A presentation of the status report, including a proposed mechanism to support other developing RCCs in Africa, will be made during this session. The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) ran a demonstration phase for more than two years and in August 2014 submitted a request for accreditation as a WMO Regional Climate Centre. 21. Preparations for the establishment of a Regional Climate Centre for Central Africa have reached the stage of consultations amongst stakeholders on the recommendations of the consultancy report on feasibility and cost sharing. 22. As part of efforts to promote and maintain effective management of national climate data in line with best practices and relevant scientific and technical recommendations, the vice-president of RA I chaired the inaugural CLIMSOFT Steering Committee Meeting, held in Nairobi 28-29 July 2014. This was followed by the ‘CLIMSOFT Technical Development Workshop’ held from 30 July to 1 August. CLIMSOFT is a climate database developed by programmers from Guinea, Kenya and Zimbabwe, with funding and technical support from the UK Met. Office and available for use by any NMHS desiring to do so. 23. The first session of the Regional Association I (Africa) Task Team on WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 17 to 21 September 2012. Suffice to mention that the Fifteenth World Meteorological Congress requested regional associations to develop their regional WIGOS implementation plan, coordinate WIGOS implementation activities with the WMO Information System (WIS) in their operating plan and work programme, and promote capacity building and outreach activities to assist Members in the implementation of WIGOS. A key outcome of the session was the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plan covering the period 2012-2015, as the pre-operational phase. 24. The Region was ably represented in the EC Task Team on WMO Policy for International Exchange of Climate Data and Products to Support the Implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services, with completed questionnaire from Namibia, Mauritius, Kenya and Zimbabwe. 25. During the intersessional period the WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs continued to attend to the Members needs towards the further development and strengthening of NMHSs. In this regard, the WMO Field Offices in Abuja, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya provided effective support in the implementation of WMO Programmes and activities in the Region. WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs including WMO Office for Central, North and West Africa and WMO Office for Eastern and Southern Africa 26. The WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs including the WMO Office for Central, North and West Africa and the WMO Office for Eastern and Southern Africa provided effective support to NMHSs in their efforts to enhance their services as well as to the president, vice-president and subsidiary bodies of the Association in discharging their responsibilities. 27. The WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs including the WMO Office for Central, North and West Africa and the WMO Office for Eastern and Southern Africa facilitated the implementation of WMO regional events, maintaining close contact with Members, provided support to meet


requirements of Members in the Region and also to address WMO cross-cutting programmes with relevant regional organizations. [The activities of the WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs including the WMO Office for Central, North and the West Africa and the WMO Office for Eastern and Southern Africa are documented in RA I-16/Doc. 8.] 28. The WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs, through the two WMO Offices in the Region, continued to strengthen liaison with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other regional organizations involved in various aspects of meteorology, hydrology, environment and water. Support was provided to the meetings of Directors of NMHSs in ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, and CEMAC. These organizations have established Meteorological Programmes within their activities of significance in the formation of the Meteorological Association of Southern Africa (MASA) comprising of all the NMHSs in the Southern Africa SADC sub-region. The formation of East Africa Meteorological Society within the East African Community is at an advanced stage. Future work of the Association 29. There are still many challenges facing NMHSs in the discharge of their mandate on which the Association will be required to provide direction. Some of these include: (a) The capacity of the WMO Offices in the Region should be reviewed to serve Members

more effectively;

(b) To operationalize the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (weather and climate);

(c) To harmonize the RA I Strategy and Operating Plan with the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) and its complementary Implementation Plan;

(d) Acceleration of the implementation of QMS for all NMHSs in Africa for services to

aviation. 30. There is an urgent need to pay special attention to the communication technology issues in Africa and actively pursue the technical possibilities that have been identified as long-standing problem areas. Acknowledgements 31. The president of the Association would like to express his appreciation and gratitude to all those who have contributed to the work of the Association. Particular thanks are due to the vice-president, Dr R. Makarau, and the chairpersons and members of working groups as well as individual rapporteurs of the Association. Thanks are due to the Members of the Association who have hosted various meetings, conferences and training events during the intersessional period. 32. The president would like to express his gratitude to WMO Members and Partner Institutions who have made valuable contributions to the development of meteorology in the Region. 33. The president would also like to express his deep gratitude and appreciation to the Secretary-General of WMO and to the Secretariat, in particular the WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs and WMO Offices in the Region, for their valuable support and advice in the work of the Association.

___________

RA I-16/Doc. 4.1(2), REV. 1, DRAFT 1, p. 9

APPENDIX C: PROGRESS REPORT FOR INFORMATION –


AERONAUTICAL METEOROLOGY

References:

1. WMO Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49), Vol. I, chapter 4 and 5;

2. WMO Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49), Vol. II / ICAO Annex 3: Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation

3. http://www.icao.int/meetings/METDIV14/Pages/default.aspx - website of the Conjoint ICAO/WMO Meteorology Divisional Meeting, 7-18 July 2014, Montreal, Canada

4. http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/amp/aemp/index_en.html - website of the WMO Aeronautical Meteorology Programme

Introduction

The material provided below is based on interim results of on-going surveys and other monitoring results available at WMO Secretariat. Members will be encouraged to provide updates as necessary in order to obtain a realistic picture of the level of implementation in the respective service areas by the RA I Members.

RA I-16/Doc. 4.1(2), DRAFT 1, p. 9

Implementation of QMS and Competency Assessment for aviation personnel in RA I (Africa)

QMS Status

Country Current Status

Additional information Focal Point (QMS Manager) CA status Remarks

1. Algeria N Advanced stage [email protected] 2. Angola Certified [email protected] 3. Benin N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 4. Botswana N Advanced stage [email protected] 5. Burkina Faso N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 6. Burundi N Implementing [email protected] 7. Cameroon N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 8. Cabo Verde N Advanced stage 9. Central African Republic

N Initial stage (Civil unrest)

10. Chad N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 11. Comoros N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 12. Côte d’Ivoire N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 13. DR Congo N Implementing [email protected] 14. Republic of Congo N Initial stage 4 ASECNA 15. Djibouti N Initial stage 16. Egypt Certified 17. Equatorial Guinea N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 18. Eritrea N Initial stage 19. Ethiopia N Implementing [email protected] 20. Gabon N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 21. Gambia N Advanced stage [email protected] 22. Ghana N Initial stage [email protected] 23. Guinea N Initial stage [email protected] 24. Guinea-Bissau N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 25. Kenya Certified [email protected] 5 26. Lesotho N Initial stage [email protected] 27. Liberia N Implementing [email protected]

RA I-16/Doc. 4.1(2), DRAFT 1, p. 10

28. Libya N Initial stage [email protected] 29. Madagascar N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 30. Malawi N Implementing [email protected] 31. Mali N 4 ASECNA 32. Mauritania N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 33. Mauritius Certified [email protected] 5 34. Morocco Certified [email protected] 35. Mozambique Certified [email protected] 36. Namibia Certified [email protected] 37. Niger N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 38. Nigeria Certified [email protected] 39. Rwanda N Implementing [email protected] 40. Sao Tome and Principe

N No information

41. Senegal N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 42. Seychelles N Advanced stage

[email protected]

43. Sierra Leone N Initial stage [email protected] 44. Somalia Not started No contact 45. South Africa Certified [email protected] 46. South Sudan N Not started [email protected] 47. Sudan Certified [email protected] 5 48. Swaziland N Initial stage [email protected] 49. Tanzania Certified [email protected] 4 50. Togo N Advanced stage 4 ASECNA 51. Tunisia Certified [email protected] 2 52. Uganda N Advanced stage [email protected] 4 53. Zambia Y External audit

done [email protected]

3

54. Zimbabwe Certified [email protected] For ASECNA members, Mr Goama Ilboudo can be contacted: [email protected]

RA I-16/Doc. 4.1(2), DRAFT 1, p. 11

Notes: 1. Some of ASECNA members are now undergoing QMS external audits 2. Deadline for QMS implementation was 25 November 2012 3. Deadline for Competence Assessment and documentation was 1 December 2013. The numbering for CA implies:

1) Implementation not started 2) Adapted WMO competency standards to national requirements and conditions 3) Developed assessment process and timeline 4) Commenced assessment 5) Completed assessment

__________

RA I-16/Doc. 4.1(4), DRAFT 1, p. 5



AGRICULTURAL METEOROLOGY Reference: Report of the 16th Session of the Commission for Agricultural Meteorology (WMO-No-1134); Introduction The following activities related to agricultural meteorology were organized, managed, or funded by WMO. The goal of these activities was to improve the capacity of agricultural meteorological services and increase the interaction and feedback between NMHSs and the agricultural community. 1. The sixteenth session of the Commission for Agricultural Meteorology was held in Antalya, Turkey from 10 to 15 April 2014. It was preceded by an International Conference on Promoting Weather and Climate Information for Agriculture and Food Security from 7 to 9 April 2014. The conference website provided further information on the objectives of the conference as well as the list of participants and presentations. Two Members of the CAgM Management Committee were selected from RA I: Ms. Julienne Ukeje (Nigeria) and Mr. Daouda Diarra (Mali). 2. A Final Evaluation Meeting on the METAGRI project was held in Bamako, Mali from 26 to 30 September 2011 from which the new METAGRI OPERATIONAL project was developed with new components on training, development of communications skills, feedback and evaluation tools and institutional strengthening. There were country specific training of trainers on Roving Seminars for Nigeria from 29 to 30 March 2011, Liberia from 17 to 19 April 2012, and Sierra Leone from 12 to 15 May 2014. 3. There were several training courses on the use of satellite products in agricultural meteorology organized by EUMETSAT and WMO. The first course was held at the Centre AGRHYMET facilities in Niamey (Niger) in November 2012. The second course was held in Accra hosted by the Ghana Meteorological Agency in June 2013 and a third course was held in Burkina Faso in May 2014. 4. Several training workshops on the SARRA-H crop model took place. This model was recently developed for the region for main cereal crops: millet, sorghum, rice and maize, and is replacing a previous model (DHC - Diagnostique Hydrique des cultures). The first training course was held in Niamey, Niger from 28 October to 1 November 2013, and another was held from 24 to 28 February 2014 in Banjul, The Gambia. These trainings were organized by WMO, the AGRHYMET Centre and the support of the CIRAD or “Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement” from Montpellier, France. 5. The METAGRI OPERATIONAL project also focused on increasing interaction with the media and NMHSs. The first such media workshop was held in Dakar, Senegal on 3 December 2012. A series of meetings were held in Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Togo from December 2013 to February 2014. All the meetings were organized by the respective NHMS with the support on planning and facilitation from Ms Oumy N’Diaye as

RA I-16/Doc. 4.1(4), DRAFT 1, p. 6

WMO consultant. The main outcomes from those meetings were beneficial dialogues between journalists and meteorologists, better mutual knowledge of their respective tasks, and plans to collaborate in the future. 6. There was a Rockefeller Foundation Grant for the Training of Trainers in Ethiopia from 2010 to 2012. The NMAE carried out a large Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for Agricultural Extension Workers in Addis Ababa in April 2011 and several ToT in other regions. They also undertook 15 Roving Seminars in 2011 and 14 in 2013 in 10 different agro-climatic regions and distributed about 900 raingauges to farmers. 7. There were agricultural meteorology components to the Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project (SWFDP) and a related World Bank project in Lake Victoria on food security and safety for maritime transport coordinated by several WMO departments. In Uganda, two pilot projects focused on using cell phone technology to communicate weather and climate information to the agricultural community. The first project involved fishermen in the north-western part of Lake Victoria and the second involved farmers in the south-western Uganda (Kasese region. An Agromet Working Group with representatives from the region met from 20 to 21 February 2012 in Entebbe, Uganda to discuss the needs of agricultural meteorologists with regard to NWP models and applications. 8. Based on this experience in Uganda, WMO and the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) entered into an agreement on March 2013 to implement the project entitled “Mobile Weather Alert (MWA): Weather and Climate Services for risk reduction in Fishing and Farming Communities in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria Basin.” 9. The CGIAR programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), WMO, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Climate Services Partnership (CSP) convened a workshop on Scaling up Climate Services for Farmers in Africa and South Asia from 10 to 12 December, 2012 in Saly, Senegal. This workshop worked on developing initiatives to improve resilience to climate variability and climate change among smallholder farmers.

10. There was a Stakeholder Meeting on Agromet and Soil Moisture Applications for South Africa held in Pretoria, South Africa from 29 to 30 May 2012 and a subsequent Soil Moisture Workshop from 10 to 11 March 2014 was also held in Pretoria. The 2014 workshop discussed the location of 30 additional soil moisture sensors to be installed in South Africa. 11. Irish Aid and WMO engaged in a project in December 2012 with the initial focus on food security in drought-prone areas in such as Tigray in Ethiopia. The project aimed to strengthen the operational resources of The National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia (NMAE) to further provide weather and climate information and services to rural farmers and strengthen early warning systems for weather and climate risk management in the agricultural sector.

__________

RA I-16/Doc. 4.3(1), DRAFT 1, p. 5



DATA-PROCESSING AND FORECASTING – WEATHER

Operational weather forecasting, including further development and evolution of the Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (GDPFS) and the Severe Weather Forecasting Demonstration Project (SWFDP)

1. Based on information and data provided by Members, as of 2012, on the status of implementation of the GDPFS in RA I, twelve countries (out of 53) are now reporting running LAM using boundary conditions obtained from GM either from Exeter (UM) (used by 1 Centre), Offenbach (GME) (used by 3 Centres), Toulouse (ARPEGE) (used by 3 Centres), Washington (GFS) (used by 4 Centres) or CPTEC (Brazil) (used by 1 Centre). Three countries have reported running non-hydrostatic model. Two countries have reported running a wave model. Two countries have reported running atmospheric transport and dust-sand model. One Centre runs a GM for LRF. The RA I Members are encouraged to update their respective technical progress reports, especially those which have not been updated for a few years. The individual Member’s reports are available at:

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/DPFS/ProgressReports/2012/GDPFS-NWP-2012.html

and the summary of WMO forecasting centres relative to operational numerical models is provided at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/DPS/documents/STATUSTA2012_updated.doc

2. Significant progress has been made with the comprehensive revision of the Manual on the GDPFS (WMO-No. 485), whose current draft text is presented in a working document available on the WMO website at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/CBS-Reports/DPFS-index.html.

3. WMO has published a document entitled: “Guidelines on EPS and Forecasting to aid forecasters in effective application of EPS” (WMO-No. 1091, 2012), available in English, French, Spanish, and Russian, which is available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/DPFS/Manual/EPS-Guidelines.html.

4. A CBS/CCl Workshop on Operational Long-range Forecasting: GPCs and RCCs, in support of NMHSs and Regional Climate Outlook Forums (RCOFs) was held in Brasilia, Brazil from 25 to 27 November 2013, to identify priorities for strengthening cooperation and enhanced exchange of data, methods and tools between GPCs and RCCs, and ways to improve operational practice in long-range forecasting, including in support of NMHSs and RCOFs (http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/CBS-Reports/documents/FINAL-REPORT_GPC_RCCworkshop.pdf).

Environmental Emergency Response Activities (ERA)

5. WMO participated actively within the UN system, in particular with IAEA, as well as through the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies and its members, and developed reports related to the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 2011. These activities reviewed and assessed emergency preparedness and response systems, and included the development of meteorological analyses suitable for assessing atmospheric transport, dispersion, and deposition, to contribute to the post-accident study undertaken by the UN Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation’s (UNSCEAR) on the levels and effects of radiation released from the accident. The report of the WMO Task Team that developed the meteorological analyses has been published as a WMO technical publication, entitled: Evaluation of Meteorological Analyses for the Radionuclide Dispersion and Deposition from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident (WMO-No. 1120, 2013). Methods used to assess the analyses in relation to estimating and

RA I-16/Doc. 4.3(2), DRAFT 1, p. 9



DATA PROCESSING AND FORECASTING: CLIMATE ISSUES

Climate Monitoring and Assessment

1. WMO, in collaboration with ACMAD and the Gambia Meteorological Service, organized a training seminar on climate extremes and climate change indices with focus on West Africa, Banjul, 5-9 December 2011, attended by countries representatives, international experts from KNMI and the Met Office UK, and ACMAD and WMO representatives. During the workshop a set of temperature and precipitation extreme indices were analysed. A peer-reviewed paper on the results of this workshop is under review.

2. WMO, in collaboration with the United Nations Social and Economic Commission for West Asia, organized a workshop on climate indices for the Arab countries in Casablanca, March 2012. The workshop resulted in a scientific paper in the International Journal of Climatology, most of the authors being national climate experts from the Arab countries (Donat et al., 2013, Int. J. Climatol., doi: 10.1002/joc.3707; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/joc.3707/abstract).

3. The CCl Task Team on National Climate Monitoring Products identified six national climate monitoring products to be shared (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/hadobs/opace2_tt_ncmp/).

4. The WMO Statement on the Status of Global Climate series is available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/CA_2.php.

5. The WMO decadal climate report in English and French entitled ‘The Global Climate 2001-2010, A Decade of Climate Extremes’ (WMO-No. 1103) is available online at: http://library.wmo.int/opac/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=15112#.U9uxg_mSyPY. The Summary version of the WMO decadal report (WMO-No. 1119) in the WMO six official languages is available at: http://library.wmo.int/opac/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=15110#.U9uxRPmSyPY. A map showing the coverage of contributing Members to the global climate report is available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/linkedfiles/answers_to_DGCS.jpeg.

6. WMO and ACMAD collaborated in setting up an African Task Team for the publication of an annual African Statement on the Status of Climate in Africa as a demonstration project. The Team met in February 2014 and drafted the first version of the Statement for 2013. The publication is currently undergoing the WMO approval process. 7. A WMO Workshop on Climate Monitoring including the Implementation of a CWS in RA I with focus on Eastern and Southern Africa was organized at Pretoria, South Africa, from 15–18 April 2013 (http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/documents/Report_SA.pdf).

8. The Eumetsat CM SAF generates, archives and distributes high-quality satellite-derived products and services relevant for climate monitoring in operational mode. Several data and products are available for the African continent. Information on CM SAF products is available at http://www.cmsaf.eu/EN/Products/AvailableProducts/Available_Products_node.html. A dedicated CM SAF training workshop for qualified experts from RA I is scheduled for 8-12 June 2015 in Pretoria, South Africa.

RA I-16/Doc. 4.4(1), APPROVED, p. 12

DOCUMENT VERSION CONTROL

Version Author(s) Date Description 0.1 WIGOS-

PO Sept 2012

TT-WIGOS-1, Nairobi, Kenya, 17-21 September 2012

Editorial 0.2 WIGOS-

PO Oct 2012

Feedback from TT-WIGOS Members Editorial

0.3 WIGOS-PO

Jan 2013

Editorial (consistency with the other R-WIP)

0.4 WIGOS PM

Jan 2015

TT-WIGOS-2, Harare, Zimbabwe, 25-27 November 2014

1.0 RA-I-16 Feb 2016

Adopted by RA-I-16, Cabo Verde, 3-9 February 2015


CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 Purpose of WIGOS and Scope of the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plan (WIP) for RA I (R-WIP-I)

1.2 WIGOS Vision and Congress Guidance for WIGOS Implementation

2. KEY ACTIVITY AREAS FOR REGIONAL WIGOS IMPLEMENTATION

2.1 Management of WIGOS Implementation in RA I

2.2 Collaboration with WMO and co-sponsored observing systems

2.3 Design, planning and optimized evolution of WIGOS component observing systems

2.4 Integrated Observing System Operation and Maintenance

2.5 Integrated Quality Management

2.6 Standardization, System Interoperability and Data Compatibility

2.7 The WIGOS Operational Information Resource

2.8 Data Discovery, Delivery and Archival

2.9 Capacity Development

2.10 Communication and Outreach

3. REGIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

3.1 Monitoring, review and reporting mechanism

3.2 Evaluation

4. IMPLEMENTATION

4.1 Activities, Deliverables, Milestones, Costs and Risks

5. RESOURCES

6. RISK ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT

7. OUTLOOK

ANNEX 1 RA I WIGOS GOVERNANCE AND WORKING STRUCTURE

ANNEX 2 LIST OF ACRONYMS


WIGOS FRAMEWORK REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1.1 Purpose of WIGOS and Scope of the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plan for RA I (R-WIP-I)

The WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) provides a new framework for WMO observing systems and the contributions of WMO to co-sponsored observing systems. It is important to recognize that WIGOS is not replacing the existing observing systems, but is rather an over-arching framework for the evolution of these systems which will continue to be owned and operated by a diverse array of organizations and programmes. WIGOS will focus on the integration of governance and management functions, mechanisms and activities to be accomplished by contributing observing systems, according to the resources allocated on a global, regional and national level.

The WIGOS Framework Implementation Plan (WIP) addresses the necessary activities to establish an operational WIGOS by the end of the period 2012-2015, as per the direction of WMO Congress. Yet WIGOS will continue to evolve and improve beyond 2015 through the governance and management mechanisms established by the execution of this plan.

The WIP also addresses a number of additional activities that would substantially improve the operational capabilities of WIGOS beyond the 2012-2015 implementation; however these activities are dependent on resources in addition to the regular budget. If these activities are not completed, WIGOS can still be considered operational. The resulting system will, however, be less effective in achieving its goals and benefits to Members will be reduced or delayed.

The WIP provides a basis for the development of the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plans (R-WIP). The Members of a Region will adhere to the global WIP and to their regional framework (R-WIP) in the design, operation, maintenance and evolution of their national observing systems.

This plan is laid out in several chapters that identify and describe the various activity areas to be addressed within this Region. Specific regional/national activities for each area are included in Table 2 (see Section 4), which identifies deliverables, timelines, responsibilities, costs and risks, and whether the activity requires regional and/or national implementation. Similar activities are grouped under the title corresponding to the respective sub-section of Section 2.

1.2 WIGOS Vision and Congress Guidance for WIGOS Implementation

The Sixteenth World Meteorological Congress decided that enhanced integration of the WMO observing systems should be pursued as a strategic objective of WMO and identified this as a major expected result of the WMO Strategic Plan5.

The WIGOS vision calls for an integrated, coordinated and comprehensive observing system to satisfy, in a cost-effective and sustained manner, the evolving observing requirements of Members in delivering their weather, climate, water and related environmental services. WIGOS will enhance the coordination of WMO observing systems with those of partner organizations for the benefit of society. Furthermore, WIGOS will provide a framework for enabling the integration and optimized evolution of WMO observing systems, and of WMO’s contribution to co-sponsored systems. Together with the WMO Information System (WIS), this will allow continuous and reliable access to 5 see http://www.wmo.int/pages/about/documents/1069_en.pdf


an expanded set of environmental data and products, and associated metadata, resulting in increased knowledge and enhanced services across all WMO Programmes.

The implementation of WIGOS should build upon and add value to the existing WMO observing systems with emphasis on integration of surface- and space-based observations in an evolutionary process to satisfy requirements of WMO and WMO co-sponsored Programmes.

In implementing WIGOS, it is imperative that the current management, governance and support activities be reviewed and aligned with WMO priorities. This alignment will promote cooperation and coordination at the technical, operational and administrative levels.

The integrated satellite systems are a unique source of observational data for monitoring of weather, climate and the environment. It is important to further advance instrument intercalibration, data exchange, data management standardization, and user information and training, in order to take full advantage of space-based capabilities in the context of WIGOS.

WIGOS will be essential for the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), aviation meteorological services, disaster risk reduction, and capacity development, each of which is a WMO priority. It will also ensure a coordinated WMO contribution to the co-sponsored GCOS, GOOS, GTOS, and to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

2. KEY ACTIVITY AREAS FOR REGIONAL WIGOS IMPLEMENTATION

To migrate the existing global observing systems (the Global Observing System (GOS), the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) and the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), including surface-based and space-based components and all WMO contributions to GFCS, GCOS, GOOS, GTOS and GEOSS), particularly their regional components, into a more integrated single system that is WIGOS, focused effort is required at the regional level in the following key areas, detailed in the sub-chapters to follow: (a) Management of WIGOS implementation;

(b) Collaboration with WMO and co-sponsored observing systems;

(c) Design, planning and optimized evolution;

(d) Integrated Observing System operation and maintenance;

(e) Integrated Quality Management;

(f) Standardization, system interoperability and data compatibility;

(g) The WIGOS Operational Information Resource;

(h) Data and metadata management, delivery and archival;

(i) Capacity development;

(j) Communication and outreach.

2.1 Management of WIGOS implementation in RA I

WIGOS implementation is an integrating activity for all regional components of the WMO and co-sponsored observing systems: it supports all WMO Programmes and activities.

Executive Council

The WMO Executive Council will continue to monitor, guide, evaluate and support the overall implementation of WIGOS. Following the guidance by Cg-XVI, EC-LXIII established the Inter-Commission Coordination Group on WIGOS (ICG-WIGOS) with a view to providing technical guidance and assistance for the planning, implementation and further development of the WIGOS


components. Progress on implementation of WIGOS will be reported to subsequent sessions of EC. The Council designated the president of CBS as chairperson of ICG-WIGOS.

Regional Association

The regional association will play the key role in WIGOS implementation in the Region. The regional association, through its Task Team on WIGOS (TT-WIGOS)6, will coordinate planning and implementation of WIGOS on the regional level taking into account all WMO future priorities, such as GFCS and DRR. The Task Team on WIGOS, under guidance from ICG-WIGOS, and with the support, where required, of the WIGOS Project Office in the WMO Secretariat, will be responsible for:

(a) The development of the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plan (R-WIP);

(b) The integration of WIGOS regional network components; and

(c) The evolution of their regional networks according to the implementation plan for the evolution of global observing systems (EGOS-IP)7.

R-WIP will also address regional aspects of requirements, standardization, observing system interoperability, data compatibility, data management, Quality Management System (QMS) procedures including performance monitoring and data quality monitoring, and proposed improvements in observing networks/systems. An important role of the regional association will be to assess and continuously monitor regional requirements, identify regional gaps and identify capacity development projects within the Region to address those gaps.

The Members of the Region

Members will plan, implement, operate and maintain national networks and observing programmes based on the standards and best practices stated in the WMO Technical Regulations, the WIGOS Manual and the respective Manuals of the WIGOS component observing systems (e.g., GOS, GAW, WHYCOS and GCW). They will be encouraged to adopt a composite network approach to their networks and to include the acquisition, and onward transmission, of data from external sources, including NMHSs and other government agencies, the commercial sector and members of the public. A particular area of focus for Members of the Region under WIGOS will be increased attention to site protection and radio frequency spectrum protection.

Plans should also be developed to strengthen cooperation through partnership with different owners overseeing the WIGOS observing components within their countries. Specifically, these activities aim to enhance cooperation amongst meteorological, hydrological, marine/oceanographic and academic/research institutions/services where they are separated at the national level.

2.2 Collaboration with WMO and co-sponsored observing systems

WIGOS will be an integrated, comprehensive, and coordinated system primarily comprising the surface-based and space-based observing components of the GOS, GAW, GCW, and WHYCOS, plus all WMO contributions to GCOS, GOOS and GTOS. It should be noted that in contrast to the primarily NMHS-owned observing systems upon which the WWW was built, the proposed WIGOS component observing systems are owned and operated by a diverse array of organizations, both research and operational. Therefore, the interaction between these various communities at the regional and national levels is important for the implementation of WIGOS within the Region. In particular, strengthening the interaction between research and operational observing communities

6 It is expected that mandate of TT-WIGOS will be extended by RA-I MG in October 2012 until the end of 2015; 7 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/gos-vision.html#egos-ip.


is important for sustaining and evolving observing systems and practices, in line with new science and technology outcomes.

Partner Organizations

At the regional level, coordination and cooperation will be supported by a mechanism to be defined by the regional association and the respective regional bodies, such as ASECNA, ACMAD, AGRHYMET, CICOS, SADC-CSC, ICPAC, PANGEA8, in order to resolve possible problems in data policy, product delivery and other governance issues. This interagency and inter-observing system coordination mechanism will need to be complemented and supported through similar cooperation and coordination arrangements among NMHSs and through national implementation mechanisms for GFCS, GCOS, GOOS, GTOS, and GEOSS.

The Architecture for Climate Monitoring from Space has been defined as an end-to-end system, involving the different stakeholders including operational satellite operators and R&D space agencies, the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Within the regional context, the Architecture shall be part of the space-based component of WIGOS. Therefore, particular emphasis will be placed on their coordinated contribution to WIGOS within the Region, building on existing coordination mechanisms stated above.

2.3 Design, Planning and Optimized Evolution of WIGOS component observing systems

WMO has agreed on the Vision for the Global Observing Systems in 20259 which provides high-level goals to guide the evolution of the global observing systems during the coming decades. To complement and respond to this Vision, an Implementation Plan for the Evolution of Global Observing Systems (EGOS-IP) has been considered by CBS-15. This EGOS-IP focuses on the long-term evolution of WIGOS observing systems components, while the WIP focuses on the integration of these observing system components. Beyond 2015 these plans will provide Members of the Region with clear and focused guidelines, specifying actions that stimulate the cost-effective evolution of the observing systems to address in an integrated way the requirements of all WMO Programmes and relevant parts of co-sponsored programmes.

Concerning the surface-based sub-system of WIGOS, the current composition of mainly separate networks of observing stations comprises numerous different types of sites. With the implementation of WIGOS, these separate networks will continue to evolve but will also be given a more prominent collective identity as the WIGOS surface-based sub-system and for some purposes may be considered as a single composite system of observing (fixed or mobile) sites/platforms. The regional association will adopt a broader role in coordinating the implementation of relevant elements of the WIGOS surface-based sub-system, evolving from the previous concepts of mainly the regional synoptic and climatological networks into an integrated concept of a WIGOS Regional Network.

Similarly, the space-based sub-system of WIGOS is composed of many different platforms and types of satellites. There is already partial integration due to the existence of a globally coordinated plan, which is maintained by WMO and CGMS, and which takes into account the needs of a number of application areas. However, it should be further developed and expanded to better support certain application areas that, at present, are not benefiting from the full potential of space-based observations, for example, other components of GAW and WHYCOS and new initiatives like

8 Another key Partners and stakeholders can be considered 9 Available from the WMO Website at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/gos-vision.html


GFCS and GCW. In addition, further integration shall be pursued in terms of inter-calibration, data and product harmonization, and composite product delivery. The regional association will adopt an active role in compiling the views of Members and maintaining documented requirements and priorities for data and products to be available for the Region from the WIGOS space-based sub-system.

Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR)10

Coordinated strategic planning at all levels will be based on the RRR process, and will be supported by the WIGOS regulatory material. This activity will be carried out primarily at the global level under the guidance of the ICG-WIGOS.

The RRR process involves regularly reviewing the observational data requirements11 for each of the defined WMO Application Areas and all required variables (see Table 1). The RRR process also involves reviewing the capabilities of WMO observing systems and co-sponsored systems, and the details of the networks/platforms in existence12, for both space-based and surface-based systems, in delivering data on different variables. The comprehensive information collected for the globe on both requirements and capabilities is quantitatively recorded in a database accessible through the Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review tool (OSCAR13) of the WIGOS Operational Information Resource (WIR, see section 2.7 below). The information on surface-based networks and instrumentation details is currently recorded in the WMO Publication No. 9, Volume A, but will ultimately be available, with additional metadata through OSCAR. Space-based capabilities are also recorded and made available through OSCAR. OSCAR allows to perform gap analyses to identify weaknesses in existing observing programmes.

The above steps represent the analysis phase of the RRR, which is as objective as possible. Next is the prioritization and planning phase of the RRR in which experts from the various application areas interpret the gaps identified, draw conclusions, identify key issues and priorities for action. This input is composed as Statements of Guidance (SoG) from each application area. The technical commissions respond to the SoG by formulating new global observing system requirements and the regulatory and guidance publications to assist Members in addressing the new requirements. Additionally, CBS and other technical commissions draw on the SoGs to develop a Vision and an Implementation Plan for further developments of WIGOS.

Table 1: The 12 recognized WMO Application Areas

No Application Area No Application Area 1 Global NWP 7 Ocean Applications

2 High Resolution NWP 8 Agricultural Meteorology

10 Currently specified in the Manual on the Global Observing System (WMO-No. 544), elaborated in the Guide to the Global Observing System (WMO-No. 488), and described further on the WMO Website at http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/GOS-RRR.html 11 The RRR describes data requirements, which are expressed in terms of space/time resolution, uncertainty, timeliness, etc., for each of the required observed variables, and are measures independent of observing technology. 12 Capabilities are derived from the individual platforms characteristics submitted by Members to WMO e.g. through WMO-No. 9, Volume A, or its evolution 13 The following components are currently available via the WMO website: User Requirements: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/OSY/RRR-DB.html; and Space-based capabilities: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/sat/gos-dossier_en.php. The surface-based capabilities part is currently under development


3 Nowcasting & Very Short-range Forecasting 9

Hydrology14

4 Seasonal to Inter-annual Forecasts

10 Climate Monitoring

5 Aeronautical Meteorology 11 Climate Applications

6 Atmospheric Chemistry 12 Space Weather

At the Regional Level

Although the primary coordination of the RRR will lie with CBS for overall WIGOS planning, the regional association, through the TT-WIGOS, will follow the technical guidance of the technical commissions as represented in the EGOS-IP and other observation system implementation plans in order to evolve and implement observing systems in the Region.

The regional association will examine, and report back to CBS, its requirements for data, and any issues it identifies with the global WIGOS design, taking into account the particular requirements of the Region and international river basin authorities. This process will involve, in essence: (1) the use of the global data to prepare regional data requirements; (2) use of this for detailed planning of observing system components at the regional scale; and then (3) encouragement of Members of the Region to implement these components, subject to further review at the national or sub-regional level, where appropriate.

At the National or Sub-Regional Level

The Members of the Region will contribute to the collective regional effort to: (1) assess the regional data requirements and plan the regional observing system components; and (2) implement and evolve observing systems following this plan, the EGOS-IP and other observation system implementation plans.

The Members of the Region will also have available the global and regional data requirements information available to use as guidance for the preparation of national requirements information which can then be used to assist with the detailed planning for evolution of national observing components of WIGOS.

In some cases, where countries are small and geographically close or already have established multilateral working relationships, there may be more merit in taking a sub-regional, as opposed to national, approach to WIGOS observing infrastructure planning. In this case, it will be necessary for the Members concerned to work in close cooperation to prepare sub-regional reviews of requirements to be used as a basis for detailed planning at that scale.

2.4 Integrated Observing System Operation and Maintenance

Observing system owners or custodians are responsible for operating and maintaining their systems and for complying with the regulations of the WMO and co-sponsored observing systems to which they contribute. System owners are generally NMHSs or other organizations within WMO Member countries but are sometimes other entities.

WIGOS on the regional level involves a process for sharing of operational experiences, practices and ideas, for sharing of expertise and for pooling resources for joint activities. The benefit is to realize synergies and greater efficiencies. These interactions may be between different teams

14 Hydrological information only; water quality monitoring and information is currently excluded.


within a single organization (such as an NMHS) or between regional organizations. These may benefit from technical guidance from relevant technical commissions and, while occurring primarily at a national level, there is a regional role to be played. Within Regional Association I, the following regional activities will be important, among others:

• CLIMDEV-AFRICA15

• WHYCOS PROJECTS

• AMESD AND MESA

• AFRICAN AMDAR

2.5 Integrated Quality Management

The Region recognizes that meeting the quality requirements and expectations of users will be critical to the success of WIGOS. This will require an in-depth examination of current practices used by WMO observing programmes, specific mission-related requirements that are already in place, and available technological opportunities.

The WIGOS Quality Management approach is to apply the WMO QMF to the WIGOS observing components (see WMO Technical Regulations, WMO-No. 49, Vol. IV). WIGOS quality management at the regional level will strive for compliance of all components of WIGOS with international standards, such as ISO 9001/9004 and the ISO 17025 standard where appropriate (i.e. with respect to instrument calibration and traceability of data). Compliance with international standards should be pursued in all quality assurance (QA) procedures applied by Members of the Region to all their national WIGOS observing components. In addition to the WMO QMF document, further guidance to Members will be provided by WMO via the standards and best practices described in the Regulatory Materials, such as the WIGOS Manual and Guide. Such guidance, for both mandatory and desirable practices, can be referred to for the application and implementation of quality management in national observing systems. In this context, the Region will give attention to:

(a) The examination of current quality management practices being used in the Region;

(b) The documentation of the quality of observations from the WIGOS regional networks at all stages of data processing; and

(c) Ensuring, where possible, traceability of observations to the International System of Units (SI).

CGMS, in coordination and collaboration with WMO, supports the development of quality assurance standards and formats for satellite observations, multi-satellite and multi-sensor algorithms for estimating retrieved data and products, and advanced atmospheric sounding derivation packages for use by WMO Members. To assist this effort, the Region will ensure that surface-based sites that are needed for calibration/validation of satellite data are specified.

A key aspect of regional quality management that requires particular attention under WIGOS is the systematic and rigorous performance monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) of WIGOS capabilities, in terms of both: (a) the flow of observational data/products to models; and (b) provision of products/ information for decision-support tools and services in accordance with requirements specified by end-users. Effective PM&E can improve the overall performance of WIGOS and its ability to effectively interact with its user community and to meet community needs and requirements.

15 See Annex 2 (List of Acronyms)


Members of the Region will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the WIGOS quality management principles (such as ISO 9001, 9004, 17025).

2.6 Standardization, System Interoperability16 and Data Compatibility

The WIS has an important role in regional WIGOS implementation, in relation to data exchange and discovery, and the provision of effective standards and practices for data management. The Region will therefore coordinate WIGOS and WIS implementation activities.

Taking into account the ongoing rapid progress in technology that will continue to provide a basis for further improvements in the capability, reliability, quality and cost-effectiveness of observations, the Members of the Region will ensure that WIGOS utilizes international standards and best practices set by WMO and partner organizations and described in the WMO Regulatory Materials in the following areas:

(a) Instruments and methods of observation across all components including surface-based and space-based elements (observations and their metadata);

(b) WIS information exchange, as well as discovery, access and retrieval (DAR) services; and

(c) Data Management (Data Processing, Quality Control, Monitoring and Archival).

The Region will support all activities leading to the interoperability (including data compatibility) of WIGOS observing components through utilization and application of the same, internationally accepted standards and best practices (that is, standardization). Data compatibility will also be supported through the use of standardized data representation and formats.

Any regional deviations from the standard practices (documented in the WMO Technical Regulations through the WIGOS Manual and other relevant Manuals) will be reported to the WIGOS Project Office.

2.7 The WIGOS Operational Information Resource

The WIGOS Operational Information Resource (WIR), accessible via a centralized point (web portal), will provide seamless access to all WIGOS-related operational information, including observational user requirements, a description of the contributing observing networks (instrument/ site/platform metadata), and their capabilities, list of standards used in the WIGOS framework, data policies applicable, and information on how to access data. It will also provide general information on WIGOS benefits, and impacts to Members. It will be a tool for conducting critical reviews as part of the Rolling Review of Requirements, and can assist Members and the regional association in conducting observing network design studies as appropriate. It will provide guidance on how to develop capacities in developing countries according to WIGOS requirements, and will provide Members of the Region with a toolbox to be used nationally if and when required. The information collected is intended in particular to identify the gaps in the observational networks, identify areas where existing observing systems could be used, or where their scope could be expanded at limited cost to address the requirements of more application areas. The information provided on standards will support the production of more homogeneous datasets and make the observations traceable and of known quality.

The key support tools of WIGOS are: (a) a central web portal (WIGOS Portal); (b) the WIGOS “Standardization of Observations” Reference Tool (SORT); and (c) the Observing System Capabilities Analysis and Review tool (OSCAR) which includes information on observational user

16 Interoperability is a property referring to the ability of diverse systems to work together (inter-operate)


requirements and observing systems capabilities, and allow to perform the critical review by comparing the two.

Understanding that sources of the individual components of the WIGOS Operational Information Resource rely on the inputs from its Members, the Region is committed to provide regular inputs to keep the information resource up-to-date.

2.8 Data Discovery, Delivery and Archival

Within the WIGOS framework, the WMO Information System (WIS17) provides exchange of data and interpretation metadata18, and management of related discovery metadata19. These discovery metadata play an important role in the discovery, access and retrieval of WIGOS observations and products by the entire WMO community.

Submission, management and archival of the data themselves is generally the responsibility of observing system owners/data custodians. However, several World Data Centres and a number of regional or specialized data centres exist that collect, manage and archive basic observational data that are relevant to WMO Applications. Members of the Region are responsible for submitting their data to these regional or specialized data centres. The regional association will encourage its Members to abide by this commitment.

Members of the Region will adopt WIGOS and WIS standards and make their data and metadata available through WIS for delivery or for discovery, access and retrieval services. In this regard, promotion and implementation of DCPCs (Data Collection and Production Centres) as well as National Centres will be supported and encouraged by the regional association. Guidance will be developed and provided through the appropriate WIGOS regulatory and technical documents.

2.9 Capacity Development

A coordinated capacity development effort at global, regional and national levels is of paramount importance to the developing countries in the implementation of WIGOS. This is especially the case for NMHSs of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDSs), to enable them to develop, improve and sustain national WIGOS observing components. This needs to be complemented by capacity development efforts outside of WIGOS but in closely related areas to improve access to and effective utilization of observations, data and products, and related technologies. The WIGOS capacity development activities at the Regional level are focused on:

(a) Providing assistance to Members of the Region to introduce or improve institutional mandates and policies that enable effective implementation, operation and management of observing systems;

(b) Filling the existing gaps in the design, operation and maintenance of WIGOS observing systems, including both the infrastructure and human capacities development;

(c) Technological innovation, technology transfer, technical assistance and decision-support tools.

Capacity development in satellite applications for developing countries, LDCs and SIDSs are also addressed in the Implementation Plan for the Evolution of the GOS (see WMO/TD-No. 1267). The

17 http://www.wmo.int/wis 18 Interpretation metadata is the information required to interpret the data 19 Discovery metadata is the information describing the data-sets, generally using ISO-19115 standard, and WMO core profile in case

of WIS


virtual lab (VL) will continue to grow and help all WMO Members realize the benefits of satellite data.

2.10 Communication and Outreach

The Region will establish its communication and outreach strategy through the efforts of WMO Members, Programmes, Regional Associations (RAs) and Technical Commissions (TCs), and co- sponsors. The strategy will provide details on WIGOS benefits, increased effectiveness, and efficiency, and impact on the activities of the Members of the Region, as well as on the socio-economic benefits of WIGOS data. It will take advantage of outreach programmes developed and effectively deployed so far by WMO and its partner organizations within the Region.

The WIGOS Portal will provide convenient access to relevant information on the regional communication, outreach and capacity development, aimed at complementing, not duplicating, others’ efforts. A variety of outreach materials will be developed to educate the Members, funding agencies, policy-makers and the general public, on the importance of WIGOS to society. Materials will include posters and other educational material for elementary and high school classes, a WIGOS brochure, a semi-annual or annual newsletter, an online photo and video library, and information on the current state of the observing systems.

3. REGIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The regional association will be responsible for the Project through the TT-WIGOS with the support from the Regional Office for Africa and its Sub-regional Offices.

3.1 Monitoring, review and reporting mechanism

(a) The regional association, through its Management Group, will monitor, review, guide and support the overall implementation of WIGOS in the Region, and update the Implementation Plan if and when necessary;

(b) The regional association, through the chair of the TT-WIGOS, will report to the ICG-WIGOS and the WIGOS Project Office on the progress in implementation of WIGOS in the Region;

(c) The president will report at the RA’s sessions on WIGOS implementation.

3.2 Evaluation

The evaluation methodology will be designed against WIGOS implementation activity tables, i.e. with respect to the activities, deliverables, timeline, responsibility and budget allocations. This will include a schedule of monitoring and evaluation activities and related responsibilities. Mid-term evaluation, interim progress reports and post-implementation reviews are planned as a means of providing early feedback on progress towards success, and as a means of meeting accountability and transparency requirements for the whole implementation phase. RAs and NMHSs will provide progress reports at the request of the WIGOS Project Office.

4. IMPLEMENTATION

4.1 Activities, Deliverables, Milestones, Costs and Risks

Table 2 presents the key implementation activities that are required for the regional WIGOS implementation within the timeframe 2012-2015. The table is arranged to correspond to the activity


areas presented in Section 2. In the table each implementation activity is presented along with its associated deliverables, timelines, responsibilities, costs and associated risk.

For each activity in Table 2, a detailed activity plan will be developed by the responsible entity or entities, with support of the TT-WIGOS. The TT-WIGOS has responsibility for tracking execution of these activities and this plan itself.


Table 2 WIGOS Implementation Activities

Depending on the implementation scale, planned activities are specified as follows: R = Regional activity; SR = Sub-regional activity and N = National activity.

Estimated Costs (2012-2015) K CHF

Potential Risks

No. Activity Deliverables Timeline Responsibility

Total ARB Shortfall

1. Management of WIGOS Implementation in RA I

1.1 R SR N

Establish the Regional WIGOS Governance structure, including sub-regional responsible economic bodies (SADC, IGAD, ECOWAS, CEMAC/ECCAS, UMA etc.), and technical groups (ACMAD, ASECNA, ICPAC, AGRHYMET, etc.) for each subregion

RA I WIGOS Governance structure, incl. WGs established with TOR (see ANNEX 1, Figure 1)

2012 RA I MG, Sub-regional WIGOS Working Body; Governance

Low


1.2 R SR N

Provide an effective RA I focal points at regional, sub-regional and national levels, to liaise with CBS, CIMO and other relevant TCs, WIGOS-PO on the implementation of WIGOS and EGOS-IP in the Region

National and sub-regional focal points at all levels are identified with special interest for CBS, CIMO

2012 PRs Low

1.3 R SR

Develop and update the Regional WIGOS Implementation Plan for Region I (R-WIP-I), reflecting sub-regional priorities

1) Up-to-date RA-WIP-I, including: (a) actions sheets from all

subregions, (b) actions specified at WIP for

regional level, (c) actions specified at EGOS-

IP relevant to RA I

2012-2013

RA I TT on WIGOS (TT-WIGOS); RA I MG; Sub-regional representatives in TT-WIGOS

RB from relevant departments

Low

1.4 R N

Mobilize needed resources for supporting the WIGOS implementation in the Region and all subregions

Appropriate resources are identified and available from Secretariat, subregions, partners, stakeholders and Members for supporting actions

2012-2015

RA I MG; PRs

High


1.5 R SR N

Monitor and evaluate (M&E) WIGOS implementation activities

Annual M&E reports; Problems are identified and sorted out timely

2012-2015

RA I WIGOS Governance body defined at 1.1 with the support of WMO Secretariat

Low

2. Collaboration with WMO and co-sponsored observing systems

2.1 R SR N

Identify and engage key partner organizations (water, marine, agriculture, environment and research institutes, private sector, etc.) in implementation of WIGOS at regional, sub-regional and national levels

MoUs and Agreements signed with regional, sub-regional and national partner organizations

2012-2015

RA I President with the support of RA I MG responsible for the MoU/Agreements at the regional and sub-regional levels; PRs responsible for the MoU/Agreements with National Partners, with the support and guidance of RA I MG

High


2.2 R SR N

Establish working mechanisms with clear targets (such as data policies, MoUs, agreements) for collaboration in WIGOS implementation in the Region

Established collaboration mechanisms; Increased number and amount of exchanged observations, with the partners at regional, sub-regional and national levels, based on MoUs and agreements

2012-15 RA I President with the support of RA I MG responsible for the MoU/Agreements at the regional and sub-regional levels; PRs responsible for the MoU/Agreements with National Partners, with the support and guidance of RA I MG

High

3. Design, planning and optimized evolution of WIGOS and its regional, sub-regional and national observing components

3.1 R

Design and plan observing systems in the Region taking into account: (a) The technical guidance as

represented in the EGOS-IP and other relevant observing systems IP

(b) Recommendations by XV-RA I session (2010)

(c) Observational Requirements expressed in GFCS-IP

(d) Up-to-date users requirements for data, including international river basin authorities

Optimized regional integrated observing system design plan taking into account partners requirements

2012-2015

TT-WIGOS High

3.2 R

Develop a design of new RBN, in close collaboration with CBS

Design of a new RBN 2012-2015

TT-WIGOS High


3.3 SR

Based on the design of a new RBN, design and plan observing systems in the subregions taking into account their priorities and requirements

Optimized sub-regional observing systems design plans

2013-2015

Sub-regional representatives in TT-WIGOS

Medium

3.4 Design and establish a Radar network for North Africa

A trans-national radar data display sharing platform operational in North Africa

2013-2015

PRs of North Africa

3.5 Establish//Rehabilitate Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs), especially in data sparse regions, especially in the Indian Ocean, Central Africa and inland lakes

An enhanced meteorological observing network integrated into the GTS

2014-2016

PRs, GCOS,

3.6 Establish new/revive silent stations providing rainfall and climate observations at national level

Expand surface observation network(Synoptic stations) including those over the Indian Ocean and inland lakes


3.8 Increase the number of the AMDAR aircraft reports, including humidity observations

3

3.10 New/revive instruments/equipment for marine meteorological and oceanographic observations

A catalogue of recommended marine and oceanographic instruments available A guide on specifications marine instruments and how to make observations developed and operational

3.12 Develop specifications for Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) to conform with WMO standards

Reference guides on installation and operations of AWSs in all WMO languages available

2014-2015

WMO, WIGOS Project Office

3.13 Establish lightning detection networks for early warning of severe weather events

National and/ or sub-regional networks and associated infrastructure in place Lightning detection systems in place nationally and at sub-

2015


regional levels

4. Integrated Observing System Operation and Maintenance

4.1 R

Collect and compile examples of best practices and technical documentation

Availability of technical documents and best practices

2012-2013

TT-WIGOS; WMO Secretariat

Low

4.2 R SR

Establish a regional/sub-regional repository of guidance and technical documentation

Repository available to Members 2012-2015


Medium

4.3 Revive silent and upgrade outdated upper-air stations at various locations

5. Integrated Quality Management

5.1 R

Examine current quality management practices being used in the Region, including calibration of instruments for surface-based observations

Availability of status report on the current quality of management practices

2012-2013


Low


5.2 R

Establish mechanisms and systems to improve, monitor and document the quality of observations from the WIGOS Regional observing components at all stages of data processing

Established mechanisms for improved quality of observations at all levels

2012-2015

TT-WIGOS; Members; WMO Secretariat

High

5.3 R

Ensure, where possible, traceability of observations to the international standards (such as International System of Units (SI)), focusing initially on surface pressure, temperature, precipitation and humidity

Traceable observations 2012-2015

Members; RICs; WMO Secretariat

High

5.4 R

Progressively achieve compliance of all RICs with international standards

Compliance of RICs 2012-2015

Respective Members (RICs)

High


5.5 R

Achieve the functionality of RICs and RRCs in the sub-regions and in particular the full functionality of the RIC in Botswana through collaborative effort of Members

RICs and RRCs fulfill their mandates

2012-2015

Respective Members High

5.6 R

Enhance support by RICs to Members and encourage Members to work with RICs and RRCs

Established mechanisms for collaboration between RICs, RRCs and Members

2012-2015

RICs; Members

Medium

5.7 R

Achieve, through collaborative effort of Kenya, Morocco and South Africa full functionality of the RMIC

Operational RMIC 2012-2015

South Africa, Kenya and Morocco

Medium

5.8 SR

Achieve compliance of the RRC in Dem. Rep. of the Congo with WMO agreed specifications defined in the CIMO Guide, Annex 7C

Compliance of RRC achieved 2013-2016

Dem. Rep. of the Congo; With support from Members


Identify the needs for new Regional Centres of Excellence (RICs, RRCs, RMICs, RTCs, Sub-Regional WIGOS Centres)

At least one centre of each type in each sub region approved by RA I

Members with the support of WMO and in collaboration with ASECNA (RICs)

5.8 R

Ensure that surface-based sites that are needed for calibration/validation of satellite data are specified

List of surface-based sites for calibration/validation of satellite data

2012-2015

TT-WIGOS Medium

6. Standardization, System Interoperability and Data Compatibility

6.1 R

Implement the siting classification throughout the Region

Siting classification implemented 2012-2015

Members High

6.2 R SR

Establish mechanisms for monitoring of compliance with WMO standards at regional and sub-regional level

Operational mechanisms for monitoring of compliance with WMO standard; More WMO standards are implemented at the national level

2012-2015

TT-WIGOS; WMO Secretariat; Members

High

6.3 R SR

Encourage Members to generate and provide metadata (to WIR-OSCAR)

Metadata generated 2012-2015

Members; TT-WIGOS; WMO Secretariat

High


6.4 N

Achieve migration to TDCF in the Region

Migration completed 2012-2014

Members High

7. The WIGOS Operational Information Resource

7.1 R

Develop and maintain a regional metadata database and a web portal to contribute to the WIR-OSCAR

Operational regional/sub regional WIR

2012-2015


High

7.2 R

Encourage Members to provide and share up-to-date communication and outreach information through the WIR

Up-to-date information available 2012-2015

Members; WMO Secretariat

Medium

8. Data discovery, delivery and archival

8.1 R N

Encourage Members to be designated as WIS DCPCs or GISCs; Ensure Members to establish WIS NCs

Members designated as DCPCs/ GISCs; NCs established

2012-2015


High

8.2 N

Encourage Members to share data and metadata via WIS, including from institutions other than NHMSs

Enhanced availability of data and products

2012-2015


High


8.3 SR N

Data transmission to be modernized using new telecommunication systems (Internet) and mobile phone telephony, if available

8.4 R

Enable the operational functioning of the GISCs (Casablanca, Pretoria)

9. Capacity development

9.1 R SR

Define TORs of these Centres for strengthening the regional capacity on WIGOS

Operational RICs 2012-2015

TT-WIGOS; PRs with support of WMO Secretariat

Mod

9.2 R N

Prove assistance to Members to establish/enhance institutional mandates and policies that enable effective implementation, operation and management of observing systems by Members

Established/enhanced institutional mandates and policies for effective implementation, operation and management of observing systems by Members

2012-15 WMO Secretariat; RA I MG; PRs

Mod


93 R N

Prove assistance to Members to fill the existing gaps in the design, operation and maintenance of WIGOS observing systems, including both the infrastructure and human capacities development

Gaps in the WIGOS observing systems of Member countries are identified and filled

2012-15 RA I MG; TT-WIGOS; RA I WGs; WMO Secretariat Members, in collaboration with regional partners and TCs

Mod

9.4 Data rescue - Continue the identification of data records and their digitization and storage in electronic archive

A digital archive of historical observation records as a part of the GFCS

2014 onwards

Members – PR and WIGOS FP

9.5 Training in Automatic weather Stations calibration and maintenance

10. Communication and outreach

10.1 R SR N

Utilize communication strategies developed by ICG-WIGOS and material provided by WIGOS-PO to raise awareness and commitment to WIGOS in the Region

Effective communication and outreach for WIGOS across the Region by presentations and side events at regional high level events

2012-15 RA I vice-president; RA I MG; WMO Secretariat

Low


10.2 R SR N

Develop communication and outreach material of RA I with a special focus on policymakers

Communication and outreach material of RA I is available through appropriate means (WIR, RANET, forums, etc.)

2013 WMO Secretariat; Regional Offices; Members

Low

10.3 R SR N

Communicate WIGOS benefits using all possibilities, such as COFs, AMCOMET

Workshops & side events at regional, sub-regional and national levels for promoting WIGOS

2012-15 RA I MG; Members with support of WMO Secretariat

Low

10.4 R SR N

Convene WIGOS implementation awareness meetings for PRs at sub-regional level

PRs have clear understanding of WIGOS and are aware of their roles in implementation of WIGOS

2013 RA I MG; WMO Secretariat

Low

RA I-16/Doc. 4.4(2), DRAFT 1, p. 8

APPENDIX C:

PROGRESS REPORT FOR INFORMATION – NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL SUMMARY

WMO INTEGRATED GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEM (WIGOS)

WMO Space Programme

Reference: RAIDEG Reports, Current Membership, and Terms of Reference: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/sat/ra1-expertgroup-intro.php

RA I Dissemination Expert Group (RAIDEG) Introduction

The RA I Dissemination Expert Group (RAIDEG) was established in 2010 by WMO in cooperation with EUMETSAT following a recommendation of the 9th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa, and based on an announcement at the fifteenth session of the Association.

RAIDEG has been very effective: it keeps under review the requirements from RA I users for satellite data and products, and analyses with EUMETSAT the best technical options to respond to these requirements within available telecommunication systems, mainly through the EUMETCast-Africa service. Data requests agreed by RAIDEG including other data types such as NWP model output and training material have been added to the EUMETCast service and are disseminated operationally in the Region.

The Executive Council at its sixty-fifth session adopted Resolution 12 inviting “all regional associations to establish standing mechanisms for documenting and maintaining their requirements for satellite data access and exchange, in line with the guidance provided by CBS”. RAs II, III, IV and V have now officially established such mechanisms.

Participants in the tenth and eleventh User Forum in Africa (in 2012 and 2014, respectively) recommended that RAIDEG become part of the working structure of RA I related to the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS). Composition In order to reflect the needs of RA I Members, in a balanced way, the Group is composed of: (a) Expert from National Meteorological Services of the six subregions:

i. A representative for Northern Africa (currently Morocco); ii. A representative for Western Africa (currently Senegal); iii. A representative for Central Africa (currently Cameroon); iv. A representative for Southern Africa (currently South Africa); v. A representative for the Indian Ocean region (currently Mauritius); vi. A representative for Eastern Africa (currently Kenya);

(b) VLab Centres of Excellence (DMN, IMTR, SAWS, EAMAC); (c) EUMETSAT; and (d) WMO Secretariat.

RA I-16/Doc. 4.4(2), DRAFT 1, p. 9

Each Member should nominate a point of contact (POC) in order to interface with the RAIDEG representative of their RA I subregion. Achievements The Group: (a) Identified the data/products including non-satellite sources for consideration in the inclusion

in the EUMETCast Africa service data stream; (b) Considered the RA I needs related to the utilization of satellite information including for

NWP; (c) Identified the training needs for the interpretation of satellite and NWP model output; (d) Initiated interaction with RA I representatives for all WMO application user communities

(such as oceanography, hydrology, agriculture); (e) Nominated focal points to assist in the MESA project (evaluation of tenders, factory

acceptance tests); (f) Plans to advise on priorities in MTG user preparedness activities. Working Modalities

The fifth meeting of RAIDEG was held before the eleventh EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa, 6-7 September 2014. The Group benefits from support by EUMETSAT and by the WMO Secretariat, through the Regional Office for Africa and the Space Programme Office.

__________

RA I-16/Doc. 4.4(3), DRAFT 1, p. 4

Members were encouraged to expand these networks and urged Members to take appropriate actions.

4.4(3).9 The Association emphasised the importance of the GCOS for the Region, especially given the vulnerability of many Members to the impact of climate change. The Association thanked Germany, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom who have contributed to the GCOS Cooperation Mechanism in the past 4 years. In particular, the Association thanked the Government of the United Kingdom (Department of Energy and Climate Change) and the UK Met Office which have supported the position of the GCOS Implementation Manager in the GCOS Secretariat since 1 March 2013. The Association urged Members and the GCOS Secretariat to continue efforts to mobilize additional resources to maintain an effective and sustainable GCOS network in the Region.

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GLOBAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM

References:

1. Resolution 15 (EC-64)

2. Resolution 29 (Cg-XVI) (ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/PublicWeb/mainweb/meetings/cbodies/governance/congress_reports/english/pdf/1077_en.pdf#page=243)

3. Report of the Twenty-first Session of the WMO-IOC-UNEP-ICSU Steering Committee for GCOS, Offenbach, Germany, 22-24 October 2013, (GCOS-176)

4. Report of the Eighth GCOS Cooperation Mechanism Board Meeting, (GCOS-163), Reading, UK, 3 September 2012

5. Summary Report of the Sixteenth Session of the GTOS/GCOS/WCRP Terrestrial

Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC), Ispra, Italy , 10-11 March 2014 (GCOS-179) 6. Workshop on the review of the GCOS Surface Network (GSN), GCOS Upper-Air

Network (GUAN), and related atmospheric networks, Ispra, Italy, 7-8 April 2014 (GCOS-182)

7. Summary Report and Recommendations from the Nineteenth Session of the

GCOS/WCRP Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate (AOPC), Ispra, Italy, 9-11 April 2014 (GCOS-183)

8. The Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (2010 Update), GCOS-138, WMO/TD-No. 1523)

9. Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Products for Climate - Supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC - 2011 Update, (GCOS-154)

10. GRUAN Implementation Plan 2009-2013, (GCOS-134, WMO/TD-No. 1506)

11. GRUAN Manual (GCOS-170, WIGOS Technical Report No. 2013 – 02)

12. GRUAN Guide (GCOS-171, WIGOS Technical Report No. 2013 – 03)

13. GRUAN Implementation Plan 2013-2017, (GCOS-165)

14. GCOS Workshop on Observations for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change, Offenbach, Germany, 26–28 February 2013, (GCOS-166)

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1. Next steps in the GCOS Improvement and Assessment Cycle – a Contribution to GFCS

The GCOS Secretariat organized an expert Workshop on Observations for Adaptation to Climate Variability and Change, supported by the IOC of UNESCO and UNEP, to consider the climate observing requirements, hosted by the German Meteorological Service, Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), in Offenbach, Germany from 26-28 February 2013. The workshop considered the sectors of water resources management, coastal zone management, health, forestry and agriculture, energy, transport and discussed the cross-cutting issues: risk management, early warning systems, research, modelling and assessment, and data rescue and management.

2. GCOS Cooperation Mechanism (GCM) Recent initiatives to revitalize the GCOS upper-air and surface networks and to improve the overall performance of these important baseline networks since last year include direct renovation projects, the activities of the CBS Lead Centers for GCOS, and various training workshops. Of particular relevance for Members of RA I is, that: (a) The upgrade of the eight GSN stations in Angola, funded by KNMI, is still not

completed. Equipment has been delivered to the country but further resources and project management is necessary to upgrade the instrumentation at the stations;

(b) Good progress has been made with the project to renovate the 11 GSN stations in

Madagascar, with the first AWS now in operation at the Met Service headquarters in Antananarivo. Evaluation of the data from the AWS, including the comparison with the manual observations from the same site, is now being undertaken. A plan to rollout the remaining sites has been developed by the Met Service and UK Met Office, who are managing the project;

(c) Work was completed in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the renovation of the

telecommunications system and two surface stations. Efforts are now focused on realizing the benefits of this work as very few observations are as yet available on the GTS;

(d) It is increasingly more evident that technical issues, failures in hydrogen generators and

re-supply of consumables are resulting in significant downtimes for many of the GUAN stations. These issues are primarily due to lack of finance and often the long lead-times needed to get spend approval even for relatively small amounts of money. This is of particular relevance to stations in RA I, where only 48% of the stations in 2013 met the minimum GCOS requirement. GCOS is supporting, where it can, both with GCM funding and working with industry for a speedy resolution, but immediate contact with the GCOS Secretariat when the issue is identified could help to lessen the downtime of the system. It is important that Members formally report to WMO and GCOS at the earliest opportunity on station closures or changes in practices which have an impact on the global networks;

(e) The bi-annual CBS Lead Centre meeting for GCOS took place in Santiago, Chile from

8-10 October 2013, kindly hosted by the Dirección Meteorológica de Chile. This meeting focused on the Quality Management service provided by these Lead Centres, in terms of monitoring the network, diagnosing any issues and their methods of communication;

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(f) In 2010 GCOS updated the minimum requirements for a GUAN station, to report temperature and wind to 30hPa and humidity to the tropopause, on at least 25 days each month. Members should note that the balloon size and how it is handled, has a significant impact on the burst heights achieved and thus every effort should be made to ensure the minimum requirement is reached for all GUAN stations;

(g) The majority of Region I Members are not providing the monthly CLIMAT message,

both for the GSN and RBCN stations. For the period June 2013–May 2014, only 29% of GSN stations and 15% of RBCN stations reported a full set (12) of monthly CLIMAT, according to the archives held at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in the United States. It is important to remind Members on their commitment in providing the monthly CLIMAT message both for their GSN and RBCN stations.

3. GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN)

The GCOS Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) is intended to provide long-term high-quality climate records of upper-air temperature, water vapour, and other key essential climate variables, particularly in the troposphere and in the lower stratosphere, by a combination of balloon borne and remote sensing state-of-the-art instrumentation, and will constrain and calibrate data from more spatially-comprehensive global observing systems, including satellites and current radiosonde networks (e.g., the GCOS Upper-Air Network (GUAN)). Its over-arching aim is to create an unimpeachable record of vertically resolved changes in atmospheric ECVs on multi-decadal timescales to support climate monitoring and climate change attribution activities and climate dataset development.

In 2009, the GRUAN Implementation Plan 2009-2013 was published and parts thereof were designated as a Pilot Project for the WMO Integrated Observing System (WIGOS). The strategy to implement GRUAN is described therein, complemented by the short- and medium-term GRUAN workplans which are updated on an annual basis. Recently, an update of the GRUAN Implementation Plan spanning the period 2013-2017 has been published.

Criteria for site assessment and certification, and the process for implementation, have been developed. The first official versions of the GRUAN Manual and Guide have been finalized. It is expected that specific details of, and information on, GRUAN from the forthcoming GRUAN Manual and Guide will be included in WMO regulatory material (currently for GOS and CIMO, and ultimately for WIGOS).

The role of WMO in GRUAN governance has been clarified following a meeting held under the auspices of WIGOS (January 2012, Geneva). Representatives of the WMO Technical Commissions (CBS, CIMO, CAS and CCl) are now officially represented at the Working Group on GRUAN, formerly called Working Group on Atmospheric Reference Observations.

GRUAN is envisaged to eventually consist of 30-40 sites, covering major climatic zones worldwide. To guide expansion from the current 16 sites, a dedicated expert meeting was held (June 2012, Fürstenwalde, Germany), which brought together experts from the main user communities of GRUAN data to develop the network design and expansion criteria.

The 6th Implementation and Coordination Meeting (ICM-6) was held from 10-14 March 2014, Washington, D.C., USA. ) focused on bringing additional data streams online within GRUAN.

The GCOS Atmospheric Observations Panel for Climate (AOPC) intends to conduct a scientific review of GRUAN's performance during its 2015 session.

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telecommunications network capable of digital exchange of information. It noted that the technologies used in WIS could also be applied at a national level, and requested GISCs Casablanca and Pretoria, together with the Regional Telecommunications Hubs and ASCENA to provide mechanisms to share experiences with techniques for national telecommunications of observations and products. The Association adopted Resolution 4.4(4)/1 - RA I WIS Implementation Plan.

WIS Discovery Metadata

4.4(4).6 The Association agreed that the WIS Discovery Metadata allows users to find out what information is available through the WIS, and entries within metadata records control how GISCs serve information to users in response to requests for subscriptions or ad hoc delivery. The initial WIS Discovery Metadata records for information exchanged on the GTS were derived from Volume C1 using an automated tool. The Association urged its Members to review the WIS Discovery Metadata records that correspond to information the Members generate and to correct the records, if needed, to reflect more accurately the information provided. The Association reminded its Members that metadata records describing information that Members are willing to share but that are not exchanged as a matter of routine could also be provided.

Migration to Table Driven Code Forms

4.4(4).7 The Association noted the progress made in migrating to Table Driven Code Forms (TDCF) was well behind that required for the November 2104 deadline. Emphasizing the approaching deadline, the Association reminded Members of the need to prioritize preparation for the migration. It noted that the Members need to consider their ability to display non-TAC data and products as well as their ability to transmit in TDCF, in particular observations in BUFR.

4.4(4).8 The Association reminded Members that some information cannot be represented in TAC. In particular, CBS-Ext.(2014) was expected to recommend an extended range of station identifiers, but that reports taking advantage of these could only be represented in TDCF.

World Weather Watch Quantitative Monitoring

4.4(4).9 The Association noted with concern that the World Weather Watch Annual Global Monitoring showed that, compared with the requirements of the Regional Basic Synoptic Network in Region I, fewer than 60 per cent of surface reports and fewer than 30 per cent of upper-air reports were reaching the Regional Telecommunications Hubs and, by implication, the global numerical weather prediction centres. The Association stressed the importance of Members investigating why their reports are not being distributed successfully and working to address the causes.

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MONITORING OF THE WORLD WEATHER WATCH

World Weather Watch Quantitative Monitoring

Results of the Annual Global Monitoring

1. Each year as part of the Annual Global Monitoring period 1-15 October, Regional Telecommunications Hubs record the number of observations they receive from stations in the Regional Basic Synoptic Networks for the main synoptic hours (00Z, 06Z, 12Z and 18Z for surface stations, and 00Z and 12Z for upper-air stations) and the monthly reports from stations in the Regional Basic Climate Network.

2. Figure 1 shows the history of the per cent of observations received during the Annual Global Monitoring. The proportion of CLIMAT reports received remains much lower than the percentage of SYNOP reports. The decline in the per cent of upper-air reports before 2007 appears to have stopped, but there continues to be year-to-year variability.

Figure 1. Time series of the percentage of reports received from the RBSN and RBCN during the October Annual Global Monitoring periods from 2004 to 2013.

3. Figures 2-4 show the percentage of reports received from each station during the period 1-15 October 2013 for SYNOP (surface), TEMP (upper-air) and CLIMAT (monthly climate) reports. These show a significant number of stations that do not report at all.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

100%

Percen

t received

Year

SYNOP

TEMP

CLIMAT

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Figure 2. Percentage of required surface observations received from stations in the Regional Basic Synoptic Network in the period 1-15 October 2013

Note: Designations used. The depiction and use of boundaries, geographic names and related data shown on maps and included in lists, tables, documents, and databases are not warranted to be error free nor do they necessarily imply official endorsement or acceptance by the WMO.

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Figure3. Percentage of required upper observations received from stations in the Regional Basic Synoptic Network in the period 1-15 October 2013.

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Figure 4. Percentage of required climate reports received from stations in the Regional Basic Climate Network in the period 1-15 October 2013.

4. From the information in the Annual Global Monitoring statistics alone, it is not possible to determine whether the lack of observations being received at the telecommunications centres is the result of failures in the telecommunications or the observations not being made.

5. The Annual Global Monitoring measures against the number of observations expected from the Regional Basic Networks. The Regional Basic Networks in Region I are intended to provide the minimum density of observations to support weather forecasts at the regional and global scale. The key challenge for Africa is to improve the delivery of observations from an observing network that is already sparse.

Migration to Table Driven Code Forms

6. Figures 5 and 6 compare the percentage of observations received in Traditional Alphanumeric Codes with the percentage received in Table Driven Code Forms (TDCF). Very few observations are available in TDCF.

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Figure 5. Percentage of required surface observations received in TAC (left pointing arrow) and TDCF (right pointing arrow) during the period 1-15 October 2013.

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Figure 6. Percentage of required upper air observations received in TAC (left pointing arrow) and TDCF (right pointing arrow) during the period 1-15 October 2013.

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CLIMATE DATA MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATIONS

Climate Data Management Systems (CDMS)

1. A summary of the outcome of the CCl survey on Climate Data Management Systems can be found at http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/CDM_3.php

2. The WMO CDMS Specifications publication establishes a framework to define the required functionality of a CDMS. The framework comprises a set of inter-related components, each of which describes a specific functional requirement of a CDMS, and contains, where appropriate, references to further information. All components are classified as being required (i.e. mandatory), recommended (i.e. best practice) or optional (more advanced functionality). The publication is available through http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/CDM_3.php

3. A Stakeholder meeting was held in Nairobi (28 July-1 August 2014) to foster a new CLIMSOFT project structure for the next five years.

4. ACMAD has organized on-the-job training on installation, maintenance and operation of CLIMSOFT. Based on Members’ needs, ACMAD has supported development of additional functions in CLIMSOFT for data import, and export in formats required by climate monitoring and forecasting tools.

5. CDMS installations as well as CDMS-related training have been supported by Météo-France (CLISYS Madagascar), WMO (MCH Ghana, CLIDATA Ethiopia), and the UK (CLIMSOFT South Sudan, Sudan and Rwanda), as well as UNDP-GEF (CLIMSOFT Comoros). During the SASSCAL Climate Workshop (7-10 April 2014, Windhoek, Namibia), it was recommended to harmonize CDMSs across Angola, Botswana and Zambia by migrating to CLIMSOFT.

Data Rescue (DARE)

6. An update of relevant DARE activities in West Africa had been provided during the International Workshop on Data Rescue and Digitization of Climate Records for Countries in West Africa (19–23 November 2012, Accra, Ghana) (for details cf. http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/Meetings.php).

7. The Planning for Resilience in East Africa through Policy, Adaptation, Research, and Economic Development (PREPARED) programme addresses data rescue activities in East African countries with the assistance of the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).

8. With USAID funding, in late 2013, IEDRO successfully assisted ACMAD in establishing the West Africa Climate Data Rescue and Digitization Facility at ACMAD in Niamey, Niger with microfiche scanners and computers and training. Nearly 30,000 of old microfiches of climate archives have been rescued using improved image scanning .These new scanned images are being quality controlled by IEDRO.

9. In the framework of ACMAD’s on the job training, four to six Member States experts’ capacities are built every year using IEDRO’s data rescue training material. Inventory tables and scanned microfiche images are being produced at ACMAD.

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10. The current scans of historical weather observations detailed and tabulated in the various publications, yearbooks and journals of the old European powers from the colonial era that are in the UK National Meteorological Library and Archive, made under ACRE and held electronically by the British Atmospheric Data Centre (BADC), can be found at: http://badc.nerc.ac.uk/browse/badc/corral/images/metobs (including Africa and surrounding oceans).

11. The current status of MEDARE implementation can be retrieved from http://www.omm.urv.cat/MEDARE/.

12. The Indian Ocean Data Rescue initiative (INDARE) was launched at the International Workshop on the Recovery and Digitization of Climate Heritage in the Indian Ocean Rim Countries and Islands (21-24 April 2014, Maputo, Mozambique; workshop website cf. http://gfcs.wmo.int/node/1).

13. WMO Members indicated their willingness to assist, under CCl coordination, the NMHS of Liberia in restoring its national data archive by providing data from the territory of Liberia, which are stored in international archives. So far, the NMHSs of China, Germany and UK, as well as NCDC, US identified data from the Liberian territory in their databases and agreed to share it with the Liberian NMHS.

International Climate Assessment and Dataset (ICA&D) 14. A West African Climate Assessment and Data Rescue initiative (WACA-DARE), was launched at the International Workshop on Data Rescue and Digitization of Climate Records for Countries in West Africa (19-23 November 2012, Accra, Ghana; report cf. http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/documents/WCDMP79.pdf). Several actions have been undertaken to boost Data Rescue in the sub-region. The WACA-DARE initiative is backed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ACMAD, KNMI and WMO. Under this MoU, two experts from ACMAD visited KNMI and received comprehensive training in August 2013 to implement the ICA&D software at ACMAD as part of its data services and supporting its RCC relevant functions. 15. Data rescue in West Africa is being boosted by a Greek funded cooperation programme, which targets, among other countries, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. An expert mission to Burkina Faso took place in December 2013 and further activities to draft a DARE implementation plan are expected in 2014. Related activities are intended to showcase, and contribute to, the DARE component of WACA-DARE. 16. Further information on ICA&D and its implementations, including WACA-DARE, can be retrieved from http://eca.knmi.nl/icad.php

17. North African countries participate successfully in the European implementation of ICA&D; cf. http://eca.knmi.nl.

World Weather Records

18. A map showing WWR coverage can be found at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/wcdmp/linkedfiles/input_WWR.jpeg.

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WCRP, WWRP AND GAW JOINT RESEARCH INITIATIVES

1. The Commission for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS-16) was held from 20 to 26 November 2013 in Antalya, Turkey. CAS-16 included in the list of main priorities developing high-impact weather research, modelling and prediction of the water cycle, Integrated Greenhouse Gas Information System (IGIS), aerosol research, research and services for large urban complexes, and evolving technologies. CAS-16 documents are available on: http://cas-16.wmo.int/. 2. The WMO and the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry project (IGAC) report “Impacts of Megacities on Air Pollution and Climate”, available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/documents/GAW_205_DRAFT_13_SEPT.pdf/, was recently published as a joint effort of IGAC and WMO/GURME, with contributions from several European Commission Framework Programme (EC FP) project teams. The report focuses on providing an initial assessment of what information is available on air pollution in megacities across the globe including Africa. It is important to note that there is a large amount of work still to be done in this area, especially within RA I.

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NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL SUMMARY COOPERATION BETWEEN WMO AND THE REGIONAL BODIES OF THE UNITED NATIONS

SYSTEM AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 1. The Association reviewed the cooperation between WMO and various regional, sub-regional economic and technical organizations in RA I for the development and implementation of programmes and projects related to weather, climate and water. These included the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS/CEMAC), the East Africa Community (EAC), South African Development Community (SADC), the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS), the African Development Bank, (ADB), the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa (ASECNA), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD),Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD) and African Union (AU). 2. The eighteenth (XVIIIth) session of the ACMAD Board of Governors held from 24 to 25 July 2014 in Niamey, Niger considered progress in the implementation of the ACMAD programme, and in particular activities over the 2010-2014 period, such as support to countries, including through routine training of NMHS staff and participation in country programmes such as the implementation of the WMO led Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), at national levels in Malawi, Senegal and Niger. In addition, a number of new projects under the Enlarged Partnership were reviewed, such as the IMPACT2C, Data Rescue, African Development Bank-Institutional Support to Climate Institutions Project (ISACIP), VigiRiSC, University Cooperation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), World Bank-PRECA-Sahel (Disaster Resilience in the Sahel), Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA), FACE Project and Weather Information for All Project (WIFA). Application Workshops in media, legislature and the Climate Outlook Forum, were also considered, as well as capacity-building and cooperation. 3. The Board recommended an active presence of ACMAD at the upcoming African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) meeting in Cabo Verde in February 2015. The ACMAD Board further recommended that a working group be established to solicit comments and views of African countries (NMHSs) on the document concerning the future of ACMAD, and to develop the reflections in line with the African Integrated Strategy on Weather and Climate. 4. A Joint Approach for a European Development Fund project contributing to the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions, was concluded between WMO and EUMETSAT in April 2014. A Task Team has been established to coordinate the resource mobilization approach which is taking place within the context of the 11th EDF (Intra-ACP). EUMETSAT and WMO act as Co-Secretariat of the Task Team. 5. The “Climate Services Adaptation Programme in Africa” is the first multi-agency initiative to be implemented under the GFCS. This flagship programme will help develop user-driven climate services for food security, health, as well as disaster risk reduction in Malawi and Tanzania. Funded by the Government of Norway, the aim of the programme, is to increase the resilience of people most vulnerable to the impacts of weather- and climate-related hazards such as droughts and flooding and associated health risks including malnutrition, cholera and malaria. It aims to strengthen capacity both to develop and use climate services and combines cutting-edge science with traditional knowledge. It represents a unique partnership between climate and social scientists, researchers, development and humanitarian agencies and other key user sectors. It is a

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joint effort of WMO, the CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS); the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research – Oslo (CICERO); the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI); the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) through the Tanzanian and Malawian Red Cross; the World Food Programme (WFP); and the World Health Organization (WHO). More information is available at: http://www.wmo.int/gfcs/Norway_2.

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NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL SUMMARY Information and Public Affairs in RA I 1. A key priority for the WMO Information and Public Affairs (IPA) Programme has been to promote the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), including through the extraordinary session of Congress (October 2012), the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (July 2013), the GFCS Adaptation Programme in Africa, and various regional workshop and national programmes. The Communications and Public Affairs (CPA) Office will continue to actively raise awareness of the benefits of climate services.

2. The CPA Office has remained firmly committed to strengthening the interaction between IPA Focal Points at NMHSs and communications staff of UN system organizations for promoting WMO’s messages, developing materials and sharing best practices. This collaboration has contributed to meeting the needs of the media and the public at large for accurate and in-depth information about weather, climate and water and the value provided to society by NMHSs. The CPA Office also regularly sends by e-mail to Focal Points the daily update “In the Media” to inform NMHSs about the press coverage received by WMO and WMO issues.

3. The CPA Office has strengthened WMO’s outreach and messaging for its annual reports on the global climate and the ozone layer, as well as last year’s report on the Global Climate 2001-2010. CPA has also worked closely with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to promote the Fifth Assessment Report and to engage NMHSs in this effort. 4. NMHSs were assisted every year in the celebration of the annual World Meteorological Day (WMD) as a way of increasing the visibility of NMHSs. WMO also emphasized communications and outreach efforts at the annual conferences of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and at the recent UN Climate Summit. 5. CPA has greatly strengthened its outreach via social media and is collaborating in this area with a number of Members in the Region. WMO’s Facebook page now has nearly 15,800 fans – nearly three times the number of December 2012 – and a steadily increasing weekly reach, with peaks up to 80,000 people. CPA regularly shares RA I Members’ information and images on its Facebook page. The Secretariat has actively used Twitter since mid-2012 and now has over 9,300 followers. Major WMO reports and events have reached a potential audience of over 2.5 million Twitter followers thanks to the active engagement of the wider UN family. The Secretariat regularly tweets RA I Members’ information on extreme events and is eager to increase this activity. 6. The CPA Office has worked with and promoted the three regional climate centres and other relevant centres and institutes, such as the Sand and Dust Warning Advisory and Assessment System. WMO has organized regional workshops for NMHS communications officers and will continue to pursue opportunities to achieve similar results in RA I.

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5.1.9 The Association also noted that under the guidance of the Executive Council its WG/SOP continued to further develop and improve the implementation of the M&E System. This particularly required better coordination with RAs to increase the level of Member’s response to questionnaires. The Association noted with concern that that only 42% of Members from the Region responded to the surveys on impacts of achieved results on Members conducted in October 2012 and November 2013. The Association noted the decision of EC requesting Members to identify focal points to improve the levels of responses to surveys. It encouraged its Members to respond to M&E surveys to provide information that would assist in further development of their NMHSs.

[The full report of the survey is available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/about/documents/Fullreport_IARM_Dec_2013.pdf

A summary of the report can be found here: http://www.wmo.int/pages/about/documents/Summary_IARM_Dec_2013.pdf]

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STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLANNING

Decisions of Congress and the Executive Council

WMO Strategic Plan and Operating Plan 2012-2015 1. Cg-XVI appreciated the active involvement of regional associations, technical commissions and the Secretariat, including Secretariats of WMO joint programmes, in the development of the WMO Strategic Plan 2012–2015, which ensured that the document reflected the collective view of all WMO constituent bodies. Cg-XVI indicated that the SP 2012-2015 should determine collective and coordinated activities of regional associations, technical commissions and the Secretariat through well-defined programmes, projects and initiatives, as well as guide and motivate activities of Members and their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs).

WMO Strategic Plan and Operating Plan 2016-2019 2. The decisions of the Sixteenth World Meteorological Congress (Cg-XVI, May/ June 2011) on the preparation of WMO Strategic Plan 2016-2019 are presented in paragraphs 8.5.1-8.5.5 of the Abridged Final Report with Resolutions and Resolution 38 (Cg-XVI) – Preparation of the Strategic Plan for 2016–2019. 3. Cg-XVI agreed that: (a) The Global Societal Needs (GSNs) that formed the basis for the Strategic Plan for the

period 2012–2015 and the Strategic Thrusts (STs) together with the Expected Results (ERs) should form the basis for the WMO Strategic Plan for the period 2016–2019;

(b) The strategic and operational planning for the period 2016–2019 should follow the

structure of the Strategic Plan 2012–2015 (GSNs, STs and ERs) and the overall planning process, taking into account the evolution of the societal and economic needs of the Members, relevant international initiatives, and the challenges of climate variability and change; build on experiences gained from the two phases (2008-2011 and 2012-2015); further enhance linkages between SP, OP and RBB to facilitate the implementation of RBM and to improve Key Performance Indicators.

4. The decisions of the sixty-first session of the WMO Executive Council (EC-LXI, June 2009) that guided the preparation of the WMO SP 2012-2015 are presented in paragraphs 7.2.6-7.2.8 of the Abridged Final Report with Resolutions. They include: (a) To develop a plan that is concise and that can easily be understood by different

audiences including decision-makes; (b) To base the strategic direction of the Organization on identified global societal needs; (c) To use the results chain Strategic Thrusts (STs) ► Expected Results (ERs) ►Key

Outcomes (KO) ► Deliverables ►Activities as the structure of the strategic planning

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process. The STs and ERs are to be the backbone of the SP, and ERs further detailed by KOs, performance metrics, and deliverables to form the substance for the OP;

(d) To involve regional associations and technical commissions; (e) To include the major achievement of WMO. 5. To implement the request of Cg-XVI to the Secretary-General to submit the first outline with possible scenarios to the sixty-fourth session of the Executive Council, the EC Working Group on WMO Strategic and Operational Planning (WG/SOP) held its first session in Geneva, from 2 to 4 April 2012. The EC WG/SOP considered the proposals provided by the Secretariat, which included the processes and timelines for preparing the SP and OP; the structure and outline of the next SP and OP, and scenarios for the next SP. 6. The sixty-fourth session of the Executive Council (EC-64, June/July 2012) considered the recommendations of its working group and decided to endorse the following parameters for the development of the next Strategic and Operating Plans: (a) The SP and OP should be articulated as plans for the entire Organization; (b) The structure of the SP should be simplified to reduce the layers that are currently

GSNs-STs-ERs-KOs; (c) The ERs should be proposed by the RAs in consultation with the TCs and the

Programmes; (d) Five priorities were adequate but they should be better integrated into the SP at an

earlier stage, and their clarity should be improved; (e) The SP should be shorter, more concise and simple. A short summary for the SP

should be developed; (f) Risks should be included in each section of the SP, rather than in a separate chapter; (g) The Organization should have a single Operating Plan that includes the activities of

RAs and TCs; (h) The strategic planning process should be driven by the needs/priorities set by the

Members (through RAs); (i) KPIs should be measurable where possible, and clear milestones and responsibilities

(Members, Secretariat, task forces and/or technical commissions) should be defined; (j) The GSNs should represent global needs to which WMO activities can contribute to

provide solutions; (k) The current WMO SP is adequate for the next planning cycle. However, key priorities

that would guide the investments in the next financial period should be identified; (l) The EC and WG/SOP should focus on developing a “single” operating plan for the next

financial period. 7. The Council also agreed with the development of the next Strategic and Operating Plans based on the outlines of the SP and OP, and the proposed process and timelines.

RA I-16/Doc. 5.1, DRAFT 1, p. 7

8. The PRAs were requested to provide input for the preparation of Strategic Plan on 28 September 2012 (ref.: P.RA-1744 of 1 August 2012) and Operating Plan on 30 December 2013 (ref.: P.RA-1752 of 27 November 2013).

9. The draft SP was presented to EC-65 and EC-66. EC-66 recommended the plan to Congress with improvement by its Working Group on WMO Strategic and Operational Planning. Monitoring and Evaluation 10. EC-65 recalled the decisions of Sixteenth Congress (paragraphs 8.4.1-8.4.4) and EC-64 (paragraphs 4.8.16-4.8.17) with respect to further development and implementation of the WMO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System. The Council noted with appreciation the report of its Working Group on WMO Strategic and Operational Planning (WG/SOP) and agreed with its assessment that the M&E process was maturing and moving in the right direction. The Council noted that the Key Outcomes (KOs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were reviewed and the baselines and targets established for each KPI to facilitate the monitoring of progress to achieve results. It noted further the improvement in the level of response to the Survey on Impacts of Achieved Results on Members following its reopening as requested by EC-64. The Council observed that only a small fraction of NMHSs who responded to the questionnaire rated the level of utilization of WMO publications, and the quality of national and regional products as high to very high. The Council encouraged Members to continue with efforts to enhance the quality of products and make use of the various WMO publications to improve their services. The Council also continued to encourage Members to respond to the surveys to provide information that may help the Organization to focus its priorities on actions to address the needs of Members.

11. The EC-66 recalled the decisions of the Sixteenth Congress (paragraphs 8.4.1-8.4.4) and EC-65 (paragraphs 4.8.2.1-4.8.2.2) with respect to further development and implementation of the WMO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System. The Council noted with appreciation the progress in the implementation of the WMO M&E System. The Council also noted with appreciation the Mid-Term Monitoring and Performance Evaluation Report prepared by the Secretariat for the first biennium of the financial period (January 2012–December 2013), which provided progress on achieved Expected Results and deliverables. It recognized the challenges to performance measurement, particularly with respect to the low and fluctuating levels of response to the Survey on Impacts of Achieved Results on Members, which made it difficult to compare the results of the surveys to establish progress.

12. The Council considered the report of its Working Group on WMO Strategic and Operational Planning (WG/SOP), welcomed the establishment of a WG/SOP task team to review the M&E system and agreed with the following recommendations of the WG/SOP:

(a) Members should be able to see how the data is used in decision-making with regard to their areas of interest;

(b) More LDCs and SIDS should be further encouraged or even assisted to complete their M&E Survey to make the results more representative;

(c) Members should identify focal points for monitoring and evaluation, and International Advisors (INTAD) of PRs should be included in the communications requesting Members’ to respond to the M&E survey;

(d) The regional associations, with the support of their regional offices, should be more active in encouraging, including calling and following-up with all their Members to complete the M&E survey to improve responses from Members. The Management

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Group in each Region could be used as additional sources of information on progress against deliverables;

(e) In preparing the performance analysis, the Secretariat should also draw upon other performance information from various WMO Programmes. Country Profile Database could be considered as a tool for online response and the staff at the WMO Secretariat could collect data while on missions; and

(f) The WG/SOP should proceed with a detailed analysis of the KPIs to make them more

relevant and useful.

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APPENDIX C:


BACKGROUND MATERIAL ON DECISIONS OF THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE ASSOCIATION

Proposed Working Groups (WGs) Structure of RA I

1. It is proposed to adopt a similar structure as the one adopted by XV-RA I to establish the RA I working groups. In deciding the number of working groups to be established, it is noted that the group members will mostly perform their respective assignments through electronic communication media, especially through the use of e-mails. However, it is anticipated that the five (5) working groups shall meet at least twice during the intersessional period.

2. From the experience learnt from the recent RA I sessions, it is noted that the working groups have not been performing satisfactorily. This can be attributed to a variety of reasons and it is hoped that the amount and quality of work by the working groups set up by the RA I-16 session will show a marked improvement.

3. While the Secretary-General of WMO will continue supporting the working groups, the limited financial status will not allow holding many meetings of the working groups. The chairpersons of the working groups are, therefore, encouraged to use forums where most of the Members are present to hold their own meetings in order to save costs.

4. The Management Group of RA I will appoint chairpersons among the experts nominated by respective PRs.

5. The WMO Office for Africa and Least Developed Countries (AFLDC) will coordinate the work of the working groups while keeping the president of RA I updated on the progress.

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APPENDIX B:


THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE GLOBAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLIMATE SERVICES (GFCS)

References: 1. Abridged Final Report with resolutions of the First Session of the Intergovernmental Board on

Climate Services: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwdvoC9AeWjUdHdYVlRNVm1JSzg/edit?pli=1

2. Abridged Final Report with Resolutions of EC-65 (Geneva, 15-23 May 2013, WMO-No. 1118: ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/PublicWeb/mainweb/meetings/cbodies/governance/executive_council_reports/english/pdf/1118_en.pdf

3. Abridged Final Report with Resolutions of the Extraordinary Session of the World Meteorological Congress, Part I (Geneva, 29–31 October 2012), WMO-No. 1102, Resolution 1 (Implementation Plan of the Global Framework for Climate Services, and Resolution 2 (Establishment of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services): ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/PublicWeb/mainweb/meetings/cbodies/governance/congress_reports/english/pdf/1102_Part1_en.pdf

4. Abridged Final Report of the Sixty-fourth Session of Executive Council (Geneva, 25 June– 3 July 2012) WMO-No. 1092 ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/PublicWeb/mainweb/meetings/cbodies/governance/executive_council_reports/english/pdf/64_session_1092_part1_en.pdf

5. Abridged Final Report with Resolutions of Sixteenth World Meteorological Congress (Geneva, 16 May–3 June 2011), WMO-No. 1077: ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/PublicWeb/mainweb/meetings/cbodies/governance/congress_reports/english/pdf/1077_en.pdf

6. Report of the High-level Taskforce for the Global Framework for Climate Services: http://www.wmo.int/hlt-gfcs/downloads/HLT_book_full.pdf

7. Global Framework for Climate Services website: http://gfcs.wmo.int/

Background 1. Governments established the GFCS with a vision of enabling society to better manage the risks and opportunities arising from climate variability and change, especially for those that are most vulnerable to climate-related hazards. This is to be achieved by developing and incorporating science-based climate information and prediction into planning, policy and practice. The GFCS has five overarching goals: (a) Reducing the vulnerability of society to climate-related hazards through better provision of

climate information;

(b) Advancing the key global development goals through better provision of climate information;

(c) Mainstreaming the use of climate information in decision-making;


(d) Strengthening the engagement of providers and users of climate services; and (e) Maximizing the utility of existing climate service infrastructure. 2. To ensure that the appropriate operational mechanisms are in place to support effective climate services in the four priority areas, the GFCS has adopted a three-pronged implementation approach with focus at global, regional and national levels. The global level focuses on the production of global climate prediction products, establishment and maintenance of standards, data and products exchange and major capacity development initiatives. The regional level promotes consistent and integrated efforts across agencies and countries in order to avoid duplication and to optimize resources. Key to the regional level implementation is the operationalization of Regional Climate Centres (RCCs). At the same time, the regional approach is complemented by national initiatives that seek to develop nationally-tailored, climate-smart solutions to meet national needs. 3. The Extraordinary Session of the World Meteorological Congress was held in Geneva from 29 to 31 October 2012. The session adopted resolutions on: (i) the Implementation Plan of the GFCS; (ii) the establishment of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Service; and (iii) the financing of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services, Secretariat and Implementation Plan of the Global Framework for Climate Services (ftp://ftp.wmo.int/Documents/PublicWeb/mainweb/meetings/cbodies/governance/congress_reports/english/pdf/1102_Part1_en.pdf). 4. As part of the Extraordinary Congress a Dialogue for Climate Services Users and Providers was organized from 26 to 27 October 2012. The Dialogue was attended by more than 300 participants and allowed the sharing of experiences and lessons on the production and application of climate services in various socio-economic sectors, some of which were shown through 50 posters available at the Dialogue. A publication, “Climate ExChange” containing case studies on experiences from around the world on the development and application of climate services in various socio-economic sectors was launched at the Dialogue (the publication is available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/tudor-rose/index.html). In addition, seven side events organized by partners and WMO showed that collaborations between agencies are already happening but need to be further improved and streamlined, thus requiring appropriate partnerships. 5. An Atlas of Health and Climate produced through collaboration between WMO and WHO was launched at the Extraordinary Congress. It illustrates the geographical extent and impacts of climate-induced health epidemics and gives practical examples of how the use of weather and climate information can protect public health and improve health outcomes (http://www.wmo.int/ebooks/WHO/Atlas_EN_web.pdf). 6. IBCS-1 established its management Committee and entrusted it with the following responsibilities: (a) Draft recommendations to be submitted by the IBCS to the Seventeenth Congress on

appropriate interaction mechanisms between the IBCS and WMO constituent bodies, including the technical commissions as well as constituent bodies of partner institutions;

(b) Review and update the “Principles and Criteria” for funding projects and activities from the

GFCS Trust Fund; (c) Design a monitoring and evaluation criteria and process for the implementation of the

GFCS; (d) Review the composition and criteria for membership of IBCS;


(e) Establish a process to capture the various contributions made by Members at the global,

regional and national levels, which support the implementation of the GFCS. 7. Following the success of the first Dialogue organized as part of the Extraordinary Session of the World Meteorological Congress in October 2012, a second Dialogue under the theme “Operational Climate Services: a dialogue on practical action” was organized on 1 July 2013 as part of the first session the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services, held from 1 to 5 July 2013. The Dialogue brought together participants representing providers and users of climate services and demonstrated the value of an organized and coordinated system to address the entire value chain for the production and application of climate services and provided examples of concrete activities from the global to the national levels. Progress on Implementation of the GFCS 8. The Secretary-General has been undertaking various efforts to ensure support to the GFCS and effective collaboration and coordination among key GFCS stakeholders. Specifically, Memoranda of Understanding were signed with IFRC, IUCN, ICID, UNECA and UNITAR aimed at ensuring that partner agencies have the frameworks to support GFCS implementation. 9. A Project Oversight Board for the GFCS involving partner UN and international agencies was established by the WMO Secretary-General in the run up to IBCS-1 to ensure effective planning and coordination with partner agencies with respect to the GFCS implementation. The Project Oversight Board is comprised of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), the World Bank (WB), the World Health Organization (WHO) and WMO. This coordination mechanism is still providing a platform for planning, coordination among partners and sharing of information related to implementation of GFCS-related activities. 10. The Secretary-General also established an Interagency Coordination Group (ICG) on the GFCS to contribute to the development of effective forms of cooperation between organizations of the United Nations system engaged in the planning and implementation of the GFCS across UN partner organizations. The ICG will broaden the base of the GFCS so that all UN partner organizations can better fulfil their functions according to their respective mandates within the UN system. The ICG is a high level coordination structure involving the heads of the following agencies: FAO, WFP, UNESCO, UNDP, UNISDR, WB, WHO and WMO. 11. With the approval of the Implementation Plan by the first session of the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services (IBCS-1), the GFCS entered into an implementation phase. Regional and national consultations intended to identify gaps and needs and to establish the appropriate coordination mechanisms to support implementation of frameworks for climate services are being conducted. These consultations are providing valuable lessons for the development of guidelines to support Members in establishing frameworks for climate services (see http://gfcs.wmo.int/events). In this regard, the GFCS has facilitated national consultations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. For the countries in the Sahel, following the consultations support is being provided for the development of action plans and their implementation to address the gaps, needs and priorities identified. 12. With the financial support of Norway (10 million USD) the “Climate Services Adaptation Programme in Africa” is being implemented in Malawi and Tanzania. This first multi-agency initiative being implemented under GFCS will help develop user-driven climate services for food


security, health, as well as disaster risk reduction in target countries. The final objective is to increase the resilience of people most vulnerable to the impacts of weather- and climate-related hazards such as droughts and flooding and associated health risks including malnutrition, cholera and malaria. It aims to strengthen capacity both to develop and use climate services and combines cutting-edge science with traditional knowledge. It represents a unique partnership between climate and social scientists, researchers, development and humanitarian agencies and other key user sectors. It is a joint effort of WMO, the CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS); the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research – Oslo (CICERO); the Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI); the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) through the Tanzanian and Malawian Red Cross; the World Food Programme (WFP); and the World Health Organization (WHO). More information at: http://www.wmo.int/gfcs/Norway_2. 13. Benefiting from the Norway Capacity Facility (NORCAP) of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) though which experts are deployed to countries, a regional GFCS Coordinator for the Sahel was deployed on 3 August 2014 in the FAO Regional Office in Dakar. The coordinator will provide technical support to Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger and Senegal following the national consultations facilitated by the GFCS which identified gaps, needs and priorities to be addressed in order to develop and apply tailored climate services in these countries. The deployment is part of a wider strategic approach through the “Programme of Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation in West Africa” being developed by the GFCS in collaboration with the NRC. The programme will make available climate services to improve crop planning and increase productivity, limit the spread of climate sensitive diseases and epidemics, and reduce the socio-economic impacts of extreme climatic events. Support is being sought from the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway and USAID for the implementation of the programme. 14. As part of the implementation strategy of the GFCS to ensure that user have access to tailored climate services, a pilot on National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF) was initiated in Mozambique. A national workshop was held in Maputo from 3 to 6 March 2014. The workshop allowed identification of user needs and identification of mechanisms to enhance the provision of climate services in the country (more information at http://gfcs.wmo.int/node/86). 15. With a view to step up the efforts to rescue and digitize data at the risk of being lost, an International Workshop on the Recovery and Digitization of Climate Heritage in the Indian Ocean Rim Countries and Islands was held in Maputo from 21 to 24 April 2014 (see more at http://gfcs.wmo.int/node/1). The workshop resulted in the development of the Implementation Plan for the Indian Ocean Data Rescue Initiative (INDARE). 16. In October 2013, the Africa Climate Conference held in Arusha adopted the African Climate Research for Development Agenda (CR4D). The agenda identified WMO (through WCRP and GFCS), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) through the African Climate Policy Centre (ACPC) and AMCOMET as key players in promoting implementation of CR4D. CR4D identifies four themes to advance its objectives, namely: (i) co-design of end-to-end multidisciplinary climate research to serve end-user needs; (ii) data and delivery mechanisms; (iii) scientific and institutional capacity strengthening; and (iv) mainstreaming climate services and User interface Platform. 17. The Joint WHO/WMO Climate and Health Project Office became fully operational on 5 May 2014 with the officer-in-charge assuming duties within the GFCS Office at the WMO Secretariat. The Office was established on an interim 2-year basis to support implementation of the activities in the health priority of the GFCS and to prepare a draft, full business case, strategic plan and Terms of Reference covering the mechanism, structure and mandate for a proposed joint (WMO-WHO) Climate and Health Programme, along with the options for financing and governance for the consideration of the Seventeenth World Meteorological Congress and the Sixty-eighth


World Health Assembly. A joint office with the Global Water Partnership has also been established in the Climate and Water Department to support the Water priority area. The Office supports implementation of the programmes on flood and drought management, which are a direct contribution to the GFCS. WFP is in the process of recruiting an expert to be deployed in the GFCS Office to support the agriculture and food security priority area Exemplar. 18. A meeting involving WMO Technical Programmes; Technical Commissions, Regional Associations; WMO Executive Council bodies; programme managers, GFCS focal points and representatives from respective technical structures of partner agencies leading/supporting the four priority areas; and key experts and stakeholder, is planned to be held from 29 September to 1 October 2014. The meeting is expected to converge on a set of concrete activities to be implemented bringing scientific/technical inputs and programme implementation at national level by partners together to ensure that the entire value chain for the production and application of climate services is systematically addressed using the GFCS as a framework for achieving the desired GFCS outcomes for 2-, 6-, and 10 years’ time frames.

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APPENDIX B:


THE AFRICAN MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON METEOROLOGY (AMCOMET) 1. The African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET), a joint initiative of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the African Union Commission (AUC), was established as the regional intergovernmental authority on meteorology through the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration, in April 2010. AMCOMET was further endorsed by the Executive Council of the African Union during the Summit of Heads of State and Government in January 2011, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 2. AMCOMET is the body/high-level mechanism that advises, and provides policy and political guidance to African Heads of State on all matters related to the development of meteorology and its application in Africa. 3. The Second Session of AMCOMET was successfully organized by WMO, the AUC and the Government of Zimbabwe in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 15-19 October 2012. 4. The AMCOMET Secretariat, with the support of WMO and in collaboration with the AUC, has developed the Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology and also carried out a study on the establishment of a Regional Climate Centre (RCC) for Central Africa. Consultations have taken place with Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Climate Centres (RCCs), various National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and other relevant stakeholders, including the UNECA-Africa Climate Policy Centre (ACPC), Technical Departments of the World Meteorological Organization and EUMETSAT, among others, for validation of the reports and outcomes of these actions. 5. The Association was further informed that AMCOMET has been developing partnerships and enhancing the visibility of NMHSs through participation in relevant activities in the Region which include:

(a) African Climate Conference (ACC), held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 15 to

17 October 2013;

(b) Third Annual Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-3), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 21 to 24 October 2013, with the participation of a number of RA I Members, the president of RA I, Dr Mamadou Lamine Bah, and the Bureau Chair, Hon. Saviour Kasukuwere, Minister of Environment, Water and Climate, Zimbabwe;

(c) High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) in Africa organized in Benoni, South Africa on 7 September 2014, where the Benoni Statement was signed by the Minister of Environment of South Africa and the AU Commissioner on Rural Economy and Agriculture H.E. Rhoda Peace Tumusime. AMCOMET is a Member of the GFCS-ACP Task Team established to develop and mobilize resources for a GFCS-ACP (African Caribbean Project) project. Dr Amos Makarau represented AMCOMET at the meeting;

(d) Climate Research for Development (CR4D) Strategy Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco from 5 to 7 October 2014, where AMCOMET was requested to oversee the CR4D Agenda, jointly with the Clim-Dev Programme.

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6. The Bureau Chair, represented by the Permanent Representative of Zimbabwe with WMO, Dr Amos Makarau, accompanied by a representative from South Africa, attended the Meeting of African Space Experts in Pretoria on 19-20 December 2013. The objective of the meeting was to deliberate on and finalize the draft of the African Space Policy document, with a view to submitting it to the Bureau Meeting of the African Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology (AMCOST). This is an initiative driven by African Union Commission. 7. Following the Addis Ababa Declaration, which was signed in September 2012, and its inclusion in the AMCOMET Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services), a Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (GFCS-ACP) Task Team was established to support the implementation of the GFCS in Africa. A representative of the AMCOMET Bureau is a member of the Task Team. The AMCOMET Secretariat attended two meetings in December 2013 and June 2014 to follow the process with a view to securing funds for the implementation of the AMCOMET Strategy. 8. A joint meeting of the AMCOMET Task Forces met in Harare (May 2014) and reviewed the draft Constitution, Rules of Procedures, and the draft Implementation and Resource Mobilization Plan. These two documents were finalized and submitted to the AMCOMET Bureau for consideration. 9. The AMCOMET Bureau Meeting, which took place in Harare, Zimbabwe (2014) reviewed the progress made on the establishment of the Regional Climate Centre in Central Africa, the status of the African National Meteorological and Hydrological Services on the Quality Management System requirement from ICAO and the Competency Assessment and Documentation, and also the progress on the implementation of GFCS in Africa, including its linkages with AMCOMET. The Bureau further approved the recommendations of the Joint Task Forces meeting for submission to the AMCOMET-3 (Cabo Verde, 10-14 February 2015). 10. The need for a strong resource mobilization and funding strategy mechanism was also addressed. The Bureau requested that AMCOMET Member States proactively engage with development partners, as indicated in the resource mobilization plan, to attract support towards the implementation of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services). 11. The Bureau also acknowledged that AMCOMET is an African process and in order to show ownership of the process, African Member States must indicate willingness and commitment to contribute to the sustainability of the AMCOMET process. In this regard, and as requested by the Bureau, the AMCOMET Secretariat would be presenting in AMCOMET-3 a proposal for African States to make annual contributions to support the AMCOMET Secretariat and implementation of programmes. 12. Cognizant of the need to promote AMCOMET beyond the weather and climate community and to highlight the impact that NMHSs have to communities, a media campaign was started in October 2013, especially during the events and conferences in which AMCOMET participated. This campaign has provided visibility of AMCOMET and its mission to various African news outlets, decision-makers and potential partners. Social media tools have also been developed to communicate, not just AMCOMET activities in a broader scale, but also activities of the various NMHSs, RCCs, RECs and partners. An improved website (www.wmo.int/amcomet) is now operational, along with quarterly newsletters, a Facebook page as well as a Twitter account (#AMCOMET).

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APPENDIX B: PROGRESS REPORT FOR INFORMATION -


SURVEY ON INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR NMHSs AND IDENTIFICATION OF FUTURE PRIORITIES IN RA I

1. The Questionnaire on Institutional Arrangements for NMHSs was prepared by the RA I Task Team on Strategic Operating Planning (TT-SOP) which reports to the RA I Management Group.

2. The main objective of the Questionnaire is to collect basic information about the current institutional arrangements of hydrometeorological services in RA I, as well as the views of the RA I Members regarding the most important challenges and priorities. The information collected will help the Management Group and the Secretariat to prepare a detailed RA I Strategic Operating Plan 2016-2019.

3. The Questionnaire was administered through an online Survey Monkey. A Survey Monkey is a useful online tool for creating and administering surveys as well as managing and analysing data.

4. The RA I Survey on Institutional Arrangements, Challenges and Priorities was administered between December 2014-January 2015, and its aim was to identify challenges and future priorities in the Region. The responses for the Survey Monkey were received from 36 Members of RA I.

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OUTCOMES OF THE CONFERENCE ON THE GENDER DIMENSIONS OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE SERVICES

1. The Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5 to 7 November 2014. Under the slogan “Universal Access – Empowering Women,” the Conference raised awareness and showcased good practices and concrete actions to empower women to produce and use weather and climate services. It further formulated desired steps to empower women as well as men to access weather and climate services to make better decisions in the four priority areas of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS): food security, disaster risk reduction, water resources management and public health. A special session on Women and Careers in Weather, Water and Climate examined how to attract and promote more female scientists, and particularly meteorologists, hydrologists and climatologists. 2. Conference participants included experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services; United Nations organizations, academic institutions and civil society representatives; national authorities and country-level practitioners; national and international women’s rights advocates; and the private sector. 3. Governments and United Nations organizations that partnered in the organization of the Conference pledged to bring the Conference outcomes into important international platforms and processes, including the GFCS, the post-2015 disaster risk reduction framework, the post-2015 development agenda, the Beijing+20 platform on gender equality, and future climate action. 4. The Conference Statement as agreed to by the Conference partners and participants in the Closing Session of the event is presented in the Annex. 5. The following are the key issues and specific recommendations formulated by the Conference speakers and participants in the course of the event in each thematic area: (a) Disaster Risk Reduction:

i. Key Issues:

- Limited attention given to women’s competence and skills in disaster risk management and mitigation;

- Ineffective early warning systems (e.g. inaccurate or unused warnings); - Weak or unenforced legal and policy frameworks on gender; - Technological, social and economic barriers limit the effective use of ICT in

delivering weather and climate services to women; - Working in silos, weak linkages / partnerships between providers (NMHSs)

and users (sectors) of weather and climate information.

ii. Specific Recommendations: - Invest in NMHSs (providers) to deliver improved gender sensitive services

and scale-up good practices; - Establish affirmative action measures to attract and retain female staff in geo-

sciences (curricula, targets, etc.);

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- Enhance capacity of service delivery sectors to use tailored weather and climate information for informed decision-making at all levels (from policy makers to community members);

- Strengthen partnerships through stakeholder platforms with gender machineries and women’s organizations on DRR at all levels (awareness, use of champions, post-2015 climate change, DRR and SDG frameworks, among others);

- Document and disseminate case studies on indigenous knowledge used by women to cope with disasters;

- Promote the collection and use of gender-disaggregated data on DRR to inform the design of targeted interventions.

(b) Public Health

i. Specific Recommendations:

- Promote and encourage cross-disciplinary research linking climate change, health, and gender in order to develop sufficient information to adequately inform policy:

o Policy development needs to be evidence-driven; o Little research available that links climate change, health and gender

considerations with policy development; o Community-level, gender-disaggregated data often not available;

- Engage with social and behavioural sciences research to help us improve our information and communication mechanisms leading ultimately to improved decision-making:

o Understand how weather and climate information is used; o Better appreciation of how people assess risk; o Leads to impact-based forecasts and warnings, communicating

specific behaviours designed to protect personal and family health; o A complex issue, gender and diversity are just pieces of this larger

puzzle; - Devise communication strategies that recognize potential gender-specific

barriers to accessing weather and climate information, both technological and cultural:

o Access to communications technologies are often influenced by gender, among other considerations;

o Focus on communication pathways that are used by and familiar to women;

- Promote awareness that moving to a low-carbon economy and society will have the effect of improving public health, especially for women and children:

o Strong linkage between climate change and increased hazards such as vector-borne diseases;

o Indoor and outdoor air pollution; o Unsustainable transport systems; o Poor nutrition;

- Encourage NMHSs to engage with the health community to bring together health, weather and climate experts for joint training, operational partnerships and other initiatives:

o Training health professionals in the use of climate data; o Training climate experts in the needs of health communities; o Co-locating climate observing stations with health sentinel sites; o Engaging female health actors; o Working through the health system will automatically bring a gender-

focus to information transfer;

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o Engage with animal health experts also where relevant; - Encourage NMHSs to develop education and outreach programmes with a

particular emphasis on science education for girls and women: o Improve the understanding of science in the community; o Develop programmes with schools, especially girls’ schools; o Ensure training programmes reach into the rural communities and

are not just urban-based.

(c) Water Resources Management

i. Key Issues: - The climate, weather and water nexus is multi-faceted; - We must address gender differential needs; - But, one single blanket cannot be used when dealing with women who are

socio-economically diverse; - Women have limited time and in many instances are overburdened; - Weather and climate information is often delivered late, hardly

understandable and not addressing the real needs of the end users; - People must be given a response/action along with information; - Water and peace are strongly linked; - Gender inequality is embedded in socio-cultural context and gendered

expectations; - This dictates women’s career choice and how science is viewed; - Retention of women in scientific careers; - Need women’s voices at community level for local policy.

ii. Specific Recommendations:

- Target interventions at all levels from children to youth to adults (in all capacities);

- Empower those at high levels to gain influence – AMCOMET; - Compile gender-disaggregated indicators – UN Water WWAP activity; - Target those at greatest risk – poor and disadvantaged – understand their

perspective and needs – Bangladesh extension work; - Develop partnerships and improve coordination among different stakeholders

and different (especially already existing) projects; - Disseminate information through the most appropriate means of

communication (personal meeting, television, radio, infographics, etc.), keeping the message brief and simple;

- Information must be made to measure (in local languages) – needed and received;

- Include indigenous knowledge together with scientific understanding – build trust;

- Schools should have hands-on access to water and weather facilities, e.g. a weather station, visits and career talks;

- Societal value of scientific careers should be emphasized; - Networks of young women in water professions should be created and

maintained; - Positive discrimination in hiring and promotion of equally qualified candidates

is just a start; - Family leave for both mothers and fathers; - Scan all policies and programmes through a gender lens.

RA I-16/Doc. 7.3, DRAFT 1, p. 6

(d) Agriculture and Food Security

i. Key Findings:

- Technical discussions lead to a mutual understanding between men and women but also between people coming from different societies and regions worldwide;

- A general acknowledgement that women have less access to climate and weather information than what is needed and specific effort must be made to provide required education, technologies and tools to support women’s empowerment;

- Climate and weather services should consider integrating gender consideration in their plans or developing schemes. Have gender consideration at a high-level;

- We need research that is directed at implementation (action research). - There are special needs to be considered when communicating weather and

climate information to end users and even more specifically recognizing specific activities performed by women in agriculture in every region;

- What are we doing with the information. Consensus on getting access to right kind of information;

- Build collaborations. Not ‘one-size-fits-all’ situation; - Listen, Localize and Leverage; - Climate and weather information should move from technical jargon to

messages that are understandable and useable in local languages and adequate to make decisions at farmer level;

- Information provided to farmers has to be blended with other sources as crop models, water and health issues, to be delivered as simple products to make decisions that every farmer, man or woman, needs;

- Feedback from users about climate and weather information quality or characteristics should be acknowledged as one important component, specifically in climate change adaptation;

- Specific plans to fill the gap on education, access to technologies, and decision-making schemes for women in rural contexts must be developed and implemented;

- Better use of networks (cooperatives, ag-extension services, communities, leading farmers);

- Need to shape climate and weather information in a simple and attractive way to reach not only women but the most vulnerable groups in rural societies;

- Technology is only part of the solution, but will not solve everything (not a panacea);

- NMHS services should improve the quantity and quality of information targeting farmers and other food producing communities.

(e) Women and Careers in Weather, Water and Climate

i. Key Issues:

- Ability of girls and women to access education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels – many causes and global actions to address them, as per the preamble in the draft conference statement;

- Lack of gender awareness in teachers can result in girls accidently or deliberately being turned away from mathematics and physics;

- Lack of visibility of careers in physical sciences in comparison to medicine, law, engineering, forensic science, etc.;

RA I-16/Doc. 7.3, DRAFT 1, p. 7

- Difficulty in attracting women in physical sciences to consider a career in weather, water and climate;

- Societal perceptions and stereotypes of women as mothers, primary care-givers and stay-at-home providers rather than as staff, managers and CEO’s;

- Different communication styles between men and women leading to potential miscommunication (‘pushy’ woman vs. the strong man);

- Under-representation of women in science contributes to lack of gender-sensitive services for women.

ii. Specific Recommendations: - Integrate national and international endeavours in promoting and supporting

women in science at all levels of their careers; - Enhance and extend gender mainstreaming actions and targets in WMO, its

constituent bodies and Members, and the other organisations responsible for the planning and running of this conference;

- Walk-the-walk as well as talk-the-talk; - Increase visibility and attractiveness of careers in weather, water and climate

for women and men – emphasize diversity of careers in meteorology, hydrology and climate, need to improve salaries and conditions in many countries;

- Enhance gender awareness in teacher’s education, particularly science teachers;

- Build gender sensitivity into weather and climate services – sensitivity has to start now: we cannot wait until more women enter the science world;

- Enhance and extend existing mentoring, internship and fellowship schemes for women at national and international level;

- Develop and deliver context-centred training programmes to support gender-sensitive services so as to meet the needs of women in different roles (users to developers) and in different regions, cultures and socioeconomic situations;

- Look for, and promote, role models to improve the visibility and attractiveness of a career in weather, water and climate;

- Publish and promote the conference proceedings and use the material when reviewing existing publications – e.g. a WMO Bulletin focused on gender issues.

_________ Annex: 1

RA I-16/Doc. 7.3, DRAFT 1, p. 8

ANNEX

STATEMENT

Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services

5-7 November 2014, Geneva, Switzerland

Non-edited

We, participants of the Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services; Convene in Geneva, Switzerland, upon the invitation of the World Meteorological Organization and its partners,1 on the basis of our respective mandates and responsibilities as stakeholders, to address the principles of gender equality and women's empowerment in a wide range of fields, including hydrometeorology, climate change, disaster risk reduction, public health, water resources management and agriculture and food security; among others; Seek to contribute to the larger goals of equal and inalienable human rights, peace and security, effective climate action, managing disaster risk and increasing resilience, sustainable agriculture and food security, equitable access to health care and improved well-being, poverty eradication and increased and shared prosperity, environmental justice, and gender equality and women’s empowerment, thereby making a difference in the lives of women and men, girls and boys; Recall the findings and recommendations from the first (1997) WMO Meeting on the Participation of Women in Meteorology and Hydrology in Bangkok, and the Second (2003) WMO Conference on Women in Meteorology and Hydrology in Geneva; Note the commitment set out in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to empower all women in order to achieve equality between women and men as a necessary and fundamental prerequisite for peace and people-centered sustainable development; Are aware of the decisions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to produce a more gender-responsive new climate change framework; Note the commitment set out in the Hyogo Framework for Action to integrate a gender perspective into all disaster risk management policies, plans and decision-making processes; Further note the commitment to take up the UN Secretary-General’s Zero Hunger Challenge which seeks to eradicate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide; Aim to contribute to the post-2015 sustainable development agenda, the post-2015 disaster risk reduction framework, the United Nations 2015 climate change agreement and other future climate action, and the accelerated implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; Confirm that weather and climate services provide very important support to climate–sensitive social and economic sectors, in particular public health, agriculture and food security, transport,

1 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), UN Women, UNESCO, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.

RA I-16/Doc. 7.3, DRAFT 1, p. 9

energy, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management and environmental protection, among others; Take into account the Global Framework for Climate Services, whose vision is to enable better management of the risks of climate variability and change and adaptation to climate change, through the development and incorporation of science-based climate information and prediction into planning, policy and practice on the global, regional and national scale; Acknowledge the conclusion from the Gender and Climate Forum of the World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3) that the effects of weather and climate are not gender-neutral, and recognize that information about weather and climate also is accessed and used differently according to social factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, culture, income, access to telecommunication services, disability and location; Note that because women, including indigenous women, have valuable knowledge on weather and climate and are a powerful resource for increasing national and community resilience, their empowerment and balanced representation in production and decision-making processes can improve the effectiveness of weather and climate services; Concerned that women in developing countries are particularly in need of capacity development for accessing and using weather and climate services; and that indigenous peoples and indigenous women in particular often face multiple and disproportionate vulnerabilities to climate change and limited access to climate and weather services; as well as that women and men of every social background should have equal access to and control over available weather and climate information services; Seek to advance analysis of the gender dimension of weather and climate services in order to enable provision of tailored products that will facilitate effective investment decisions, risk analyses, planning efforts, and programme, project and policy development, and thereby help reduce poverty and foster sustainable development in all aspects of society; Do hereby propose specific recommendations to facilitate the incorporation of gender and weather and climate services into the work of United Nations agencies, civil society, regional, national and local authorities, including for disaster management, and the private sector, and aim for further development of these recommendations in our ongoing activities. We, the participants of the Conference, hereby call upon all partners at international, regional, national and community levels to take the necessary steps to: 1. Improve the understanding of the gender-specific impacts of weather and climate and of

the gender dimensions of weather and climate services on disaster risk reduction, water resources management, public health, and agriculture and food security through increased research, outreach and training; including through systematic collection and use of sex- and age-disaggregated data and through carrying out gender analyses, as well as by developing and using gender-sensitive indicators to monitor access to and use of services;

2. Pursue strategies and structures to increase the involvement of women as well as men in the development and communication of gender-sensitive weather and climate services, including promotion of women's knowledge and skills;

3. Produce and communicate gender-sensitive weather and climate services, ensuring the

active involvement of service providers and relevant authorities, as well as female and male stakeholders from climate-sensitive sectors, at a scale, in a format and using language which is comprehensible and effective for female and male users, particularly in early warning systems,

RA I-16/Doc. 7.3, DRAFT 1, p. 10

and, working closely with climate-sensitive sectors, providing weather and climate services targeted to women, as necessary;

4. Strengthen the capacity of women as well as men in climate-sensitive sectors, as service providers, as relevant authorities and as end-users to contribute to the effective production, access and use of weather and climate services through technical and communications education, training and professional development, including gender training;

5. Increase investment in gender-based weather and climate services to reduce gender gaps

within this area, providing better gender-sensitive services and supporting greater voice and agency for women in these services;

6. Expand women’s participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and

mathematics), particularly in meteorology and hydrology, through the development and implementation of gender equality strategies in educational institutions as well as the recruitment, retention and promotion of women in national meteorological and hydrological services, the World Meteorological Organization, and other partners and stakeholders; and

7. Increase collaboration and integration of programmes and initiatives between the World

Meteorological Organization, key United Nations organizations, regional, national (with a key role for NMHSs) and local actors, to enable the systematic integration of gender-sensitive weather and climate information into the activities, networks, programs and plans of stakeholders, local and national governments and regional commissions, as well as within international organizations and conferences;

We, the participants of the Conference, thereby: Commit ourselves to implement these recommendations within our institutions and networks; Invite FAO, IUCN, UN Women, UNESCO, UNISDR, WHO and WMO, with partners, as well as other UN agencies and programmes, to take action to pursue these recommendations; actions that should include the development of specific targets as well as policy, operational guidance and monitoring and evaluation, as necessary, so that progress on these recommendations can be made and measured; Invite the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction to draw the Statement of the Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services to the attention of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, in particular during the Ministerial Roundtable on Mobilizing Women’s Leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction; Invite the Executive Director of UN Women to draw the Statement of the Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services to the attention of the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women; Invite the UNFCCC Executive Secretary to draw the Statement of the Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services to the attention of the COP 20 in Lima, Peru; and Invite the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization to provide the report and the Statement of the Conference on the Gender Dimensions of Weather and Climate Services to the attention of WMO constituent bodies, the Intergovernmental Board on Climate Services and the Seventeenth World Meteorological Congress, as well as to relevant UN and other organizations.




PROGRESS/ACTIVITY REPORT

1. The fifteenth session of Regional Association I (Marrakech, Morocco, November 2010) noted with satisfaction the increasing role of the Regional Office as a focal point and an information centre for regional activities and in assisting Members to develop their NMHSs and to implement WMO Programmes and other activities that had a regional focus. In order to effectively serve the Members, the Offices have taken the initiative to enhance their capacities especially through the engagement of project staff and use of seconded experts.

2. The Sixteenth WMO Congress (Geneva, May 2011) underscored the effective support the WMO Office for Africa and LDCs, including the WMO Offices in the Region, provided to the president and vice-president and RA I subsidiary bodies as well as to Members in implementing the various scientific and technical programmes through capacity development and resource mobilization activities. Congress stressed that the WMO Regional Offices should promote the priorities as defined in the RA I Strategic Plan.

3. The WMO Offices for Africa and LDCs, including WMO Offices in the Region, operate as an integral part of the WMO Secretariat and in close collaboration with the technical departments of the Organization. The Offices carry out their functions and responsibilities mainly directed towards assisting Members in the planning, formulation and implementation of the regional aspects of the WMO Programmes.

4. The Offices continued to provide technical assistance and advice to Members of RA I in developing and implementing technical cooperation projects and national and regional development strategies, including the Strategic Plan for the Enhancement of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in RA I. Collaboration was maintained and strengthened with several organizations operating in the Region, such as ACMAD, AUC, EAC, ECOWAS, CEMAC, CILSS, COMESA, ASECNA, NBA, AfDB, SADC, IGAD, UNEP, UNISDR, UNHABITAT, and UNDP among others.

5. The WMO Office for Africa and LDCs, the WMO Offices in the Region, Abuja and Nairobi continue to offer valuable services to Members. In order to maintain an effective level of service there is need for the Field Offices to have adequate capacity. Though the Offices staffing level is not high, they provide valuable contribution which could be recruitment of more professional staff and national secondments.

Regional and sub-regional events

6. The WMO Office in the Region successfully organized events through collaboration with WMO technical Departments and other regional organizations based in the Africa. [ref. RA I-16/INF. 3].

7. The Offices continued to support and participate in regional events such as the annual meetings, workshops, conferences and other events organized by other institutions such as: ACMAD, IGAD, SADC, AUC, EAC, CILSS, ASECNA, ECOWAS, NBA among others, where the opportunity was taken to create a better awareness of the role of WMO in the current global endeavour to address the climate change and related environmental issues and also enhance cooperation between WMO and these institutions.


8. The Offices participated in the sessions of Regional Coordination Mechanism for the UN Agencies operating in Africa as organized by the UNECA to ensure needs of NMHSs are factored in other Agencies programmes.

Expert missions to Members

9. As a follow-up to the adoption of ECOWAS Environmental Policy, which the Office in Abuja contributed to, the Office was fully involved in the preparation of ECOWAS Policy document on the reduction of the vulnerability of Climate Change in West Africa. The Technical Validation Workshop on the Strategy and Action Plan for the reduction of the vulnerability of West Africa to climate change was as such attended in Ghana in July 2009.

10. The WMO Office in Nairobi was part of the African Development Bank (AFDB) Mission for the development of the Marine Communication for Safety for the Lake Victoria project in the three countries sharing Lake Victoria: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

11. The Offices in the Region assisted in the management of WMO Fellows training in various RTCs in the Region. Such assistance includes provision of details for available training programmes in RTCs and liaison between the WMO Fellowship division, PRs, Trainees and RTCs.

12. Many Members were assisted with advice and guidelines in the preparation of national Strategic Plans. The Offices participated in the preparation of the Strategic Plan for NMHSs Rwanda, Djibouti and South Sudan. At the request of the PRs of Comoros, Sudan and South Sudan a WMO Expert Mission was undertaken to review the status of the NMHSs and upgrade their Climate Data Management System. Further, following serious flooding in Mauritius, an Expert Mission to advise the Mauritius Authorities on possible ways of improving on flood forecasting to avoid serious damages caused by flooding. An expert mission visited Namibia after the drought to advise on the way forward in terms of capacity-building.

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