World Meteorological Organization Working together in weather, climate and water EC-WGCD 1 - Dec 2011 Regional Programme and South-South Cooperation WMOwww.wmo.int WMO

2 OUTLINE  Regional Programme  Overall objective  Structure  Congress decisions  South-South Cooperation  Conclusions

Regional Programme (RP) Overall Objective : Ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the six RAs. Provide a framework for regional cooperation in the implementation of the WMO strategies, policies and programmes taking into account regional requirements, capacities and priorities.

Focus, as part of the WMO capacity development effort, on the assistance given at regional level to bridge gaps in the capabilities of all Members, especially LDCs, SIDS and countries in transition, to produce, utilize and benefit from hydrometeorological information, products and services,

Structure Regional associations activities: –Institutional support to RAs; –Regional events; Regional cooperation and partnership: –Coordination of capacity development activities in the Regions; –Cooperation with regional partners.

The RP contributes to capacity development efforts, through the Regional Offices and WMO Offices in the Regions, by maintaining close relations with all Members, by acting as point-of-contact between Members and the WMO Secretariat.

Congress XVI decisions Congress decided that the WMO Regional Programme shall be continued in the sixteenth financial period; Resolution 6.4/1 (cg-XVI) To continue providing support to the six Regional Associations of the Organization; To plan and coordinate regional activities, aligning them with the WMO Strategic and Operating Plan and the WMO technical and scientific programmes to ensure a harmonized and synchronous implementation effort by Members;

To ensure that in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the regional and national strategic/operating plans, the scientific and technical programmes of the Organization, the particular needs, capabilities and priorities of the various Regions are recognized and considered

To foster strengthening the role and operation of NMHSs at the national and regional levels to enable them to fulfill their mandates and provide adequate response to emerging challenges; To identify Member’s needs for the provision of regional facilities and services through continuation and monitoring of existing Regional Centres and establishment of new Centres, as appropriate;

To promote establishing and maintaining links and partnerships with relevant regional and sub- regional organizations, inter-governmental and economic groupings in the Regions To contribute to the resource mobilization, establishment and implementation of regional and sub-regional capacity development projects

To facilitate broad use of the expertise available at national and regional level through transfer of knowledge and know-how from the developed to the developing parts of the Regions; To promote and establish pilot projects in the Regions aimed at building the capacity of developing countries as a collaborative effort between RAs and TCs.

Congress urged Members to contribute to the maximum extent possible to the Programme during the sixteenth financial period including support to Regional Offices and WMO Offices in the Regions through secondments and other appropriate means; Congress requested the presidents of RAs to maintain strong liaison and ensure inter-regional cooperation and consistency on regional priorities, programmes and projects which cross regional borders

Congress requested the presidents of TCs to provide advice relating to the needs of RAs and consider the priorities stated by the RAs in the development of the programmes and projects of the respective TCs; Congress requested the Secretary-General to review, in consultation with the presidents of RAs concerned, the current set-up of the WMO Regional Offices and WMO Offices in the Regions and propose measures for improving their effectiveness and efficiency, including appropriate relocations, within available resources.

Options for future efficiencies (RA I-MG) Implement cost saving measures outlined by the Secretary- General in budget submission tele-conferences, use of internet tools, etc. Trust Fund Projects or other Voluntary contributions Further economies in constituent body sessions Consider some restructuring in DRA Office Delay recruitment of staff (decrease cost and effectiveness )

Options for future efficiencies (cont) Increased in-kind support for field offices Consider relocation of Geneva Staff to the Regions Possible secondments or movement of a field office Work with RO, TCs, Program offices, cross regions for better coordination of meetings, leveraging WG and OPAG meetings, prioritization of activities

South-South Cooperation 1974: a special unit established by UN GA within UNDP to promote “Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC)” 1978: strengthened to promote, coordinate and support South-South and Triangular cooperation globally and within the United Nations system.

1999: Cg noted that the VCP is an appropriate mechanism for the promotion and support of TCDC, especially for the delivery of assistance to LDCs and SIDS Sept 2010: JIU visited UN Agencies, including WMO on their South-South Cooperation and Triangular Coop activities

- Mainstreaming of South-South cooperation (SSC) into the Programme of Work of the organization - Financing of SSC activities - Cooperation/coordination with other UN and international organizations - Participation in SSC focal point network - Capacity building and training programmes for SSC

International Training Seminar on “South-South Cooperation on Weather and Climate” 8-12 November 2010, RTC Nanjing, China Confirmed the overall objective of South- South Cooperation as the means to exchange resources, technology and knowledge between developing countries Called for greater South-South cooperation in order to address the peculiar challenges which are dominant in the developing nations

2011: Cg-XVI urged Members to support INTAD initiative with the support of the Secretariat. SSC status Lack of internal support structure Weak reporting mechanisms

Conclusions The RP shall contribute to all Expected Results of the WMO Strategic Plan and Operating Plan ( ) with particular focus on Strategic Thrust 3: “Strengthening capacity-building”, and ER 6: “Enhanced capabilities of NMHSs, in particular in developing countries and least developed countries, to fulfil their mandates”; es.phphttp:// es.php

Need to designate a Secretariat Focal Point for South-South Cooperation D/RAP (proposed)

THANK YOU