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World Meteorological Organization Essay – This is one of the best essays on ‘World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’ especially written for school and college students.
Introduction to World Meteorological Organization:
Each year since 1961, 23rd March, is celebrated throughout the world as a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) day to commemorate the coming into force in 1950 of the WMO Convention which transformed the former International Meteorological Organization into the Inter-Governmental World Meteorological Organization.
Each year, the WMO chooses a special theme to focus attention of the world on an important global issue concerning atmospheric science and on the services rendered by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and the activities of the WMO.
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International Meteorological Organization (IMO) was established in 1873 to foster collaboration amongst meteorological services of the world for the rapid and free exchange of meteorological information in the internationally accepted codes.
With the passage of time, importance of meteorology grew manifold and the International Meteorological Organization was transformed into an inter-governmental official body called the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 23rd March, 1950, by WMO convention.
It is a specialized agency of the UN system. To commemorate this event, each year since 1961, this day is celebrated as WMO day by the Meteorological community the world over with emphasis on a theme every year.
Objectives of World Meteorological Organization:
Weather and climate are the central concern of WMO specialized agency of the United Nations through which the National Meteorological and Hydrological services of the world plan coordinate the provision of weather, climate and related environmental services on regional and global basis.
The main role of WMO is to coordinate and facilitate world-wide cooperation in exchange of meteorological, hydrological and other geophysical observations for the benefit of human activities, well-being of the society, economic development of nations and protection of a natural environment, WMO has the following seven major programs:
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1. World Weather Watch programme
2. World Climate Programme
3. Atmospheric Research and Environment Programme
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4. Applications of Meteorology Programme
5. Hydrology and Water Resources Programme
6. Education and Training Programme
7. Technical Cooperation Programme
These Programmes have enabled National Meteorological and Hydrological services to achieve:
a. Provide services to protect life and property and to add to the social and economic well- being to their communities;
b. Advanced understanding of meteorological and hydrological phenomena and further improved national services;
c. Advance their human and technical development;
d. Assemble and maintain essential basic climate records for their countries.
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Organization:
WMO, of which 159 countries and territories are members, is a specialized agency of the United Nations. In order to carry out its wide-ranging International responsibilities in the most effective manner, the WMO is organized into five major elements as indicated below:
World Meteorological Congress:
It is the apex body. The accredited delegates of member countries meet every four year to determine general policies for the fulfillment of the purpose of the organization. It elects its officers, viz., the president, three vice-presidents, members of the executive council and appoints the secretary general.
The heads of national weather service’s serve as the permanent representatives of their countries with WMO and take part in the meetings of WMO Congress.
Executive Council:
It is the highest executive body of WMO and is composed of 36 directors of national meteorological or hydrological services, who are elected by WMO Congress. It meets at least once a year to review the activities of the organization to implement decisions taken by members in Congress and to study and make recommendations on any matter effecting international meteorology and related activities of the organization.
Regional Associations:
WMO has six Regional Associations viz., Africa (RA-I), Asia (RA-II), South America (RA-III), North and Central America (RA-IV), South West Pacific (RA-V) and Europe (RA-VI). These are composed of Member governments of the region concerned. Each association is headed by a president who is elected by the members of the region.
Technical Commissions:
WMO has eight Technical Commissions consisting of experts designated by members. Each commission is responsible for studying meteorological and hydrological operational system, applications and research in its area of specialization.
Technical commissions are for: Basic System (CBS), Instruments and methods of Observation (CIMO), Atmospheric Sciences (CAS), Aeronautical Meteorology (CAeM), Agriculture meteorology (CAgM), Marine Meteorology (CMM), Hydrology (CHy) and Climatology (CCI). Each commission is headed by a president elected by the members of the commission.
Secretariat:
WMO has a Secretariat located at Geneva, Switzerland. It is composed of the Secretary general and such technical and clerical staff as are required for the work of the Organization.