Future Role of the WMO in International Observing Programs

Abstract

This paper reviews the present role of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in the global observing program of the World Weather Watch. This has four main aspects; namely, a coordinating function, assistance to developing countries, planning of observing systems, and relations with the United Nations family. An important activity at present relates to the Global Atmospheric Research Program, a project undertaken jointly by WMO and the International Council for Scientific Unions. While the present role of WMO will continue in basically the same form, new roles may arise from the use of observing techniques, such as satellites and constant-level balloons, which provide observations from areas which are not limited to the country from which the device has been released. Some element of control or possibly operational responsibility for truly global observing systems may need to fall to WMO in the future.