Meteorology plays a crucial role in helping governments and industries understand and prepare for the risks associated with natural disasters such as floods, fires, and windstorms. Given the importance of multilateral approach to climate related challenges, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which is a specialized Agency of the United Nations, promotes international cooperation on atmospheric science, climatology, hydrology and geophysics. The WMO was established on 23 March 1950, and is made up of 193 countries and territories. The United Republic of Tanzania has been a member of WMO since 14 September 1962.
The WMO facilitates the "free and unrestricted" exchange of data, information, and research between the respective meteorological and hydrological institutions of its members. It also collaborates with nongovernmental partners and other international organizations on matters related to environmental protection, climate change, resource management, and socioeconomic development.
Specifically, WMO works to:
(i) facilitate worldwide cooperation in the establishment of networks of stations for the making of meteorological observations as well as hydrological and other geophysical observations related to meteorology;
(ii) promote the establishment and maintenance of centres charged with the provision of meteorological and related services;
(iii) promote the establishment and maintenance of systems for the rapid exchange of meteorological and related information;
(iv) promote standardization of meteorological and related observations and to ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics;
(v) further the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping, water problems, agriculture and other human activities; promotes activities in operational hydrology and to further close cooperation between Meteorological and Hydrological Services; and
(vi) encourage research and training in meteorology and, as appropriate, in related fields and to assist in coordinating the international aspects of such research and training.
WMO collaborates closely with various UN organizations on matters related to weather, climate, and water these include: The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which relies on WMO's expertise for weather and climate observations and monitoring; the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), which works with WMO on early warning systems for weather-related hazards; the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), which cooperates with WMO on issues like air quality and climate change. Climate Change Matters are overseen by the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) co-founded by WMO and UNEP.
The highest decision-making body of the WMO is the World Meteorological Congress, whereas the Executive Council implements decisions adopted by the Congress. Six regional associations (ink: https://wmo.int/about-wmo/regions/regional-associations) are responsible for the coordination of meteorological, hydrological and related activities within their respective Regions, while technical commissions (link: https://wmo.int/about-wmo/governance/technical-commissions) consisting of technical experts study technical matters and make recommendations to Congress and the Executive Council.
The Officers of WMO are a President and three Vice-Presidents, who are also chair and vice-chairs of Congress and the Executive Council. The Secretary-General oversees the functioning of the Secretariat, headquartered in Geneva.
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