The WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) is a concept for a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable system of observing systems.  WIGOS is based on all WMO Programmes’ observational requirements.  It will provide a single focus for the operational and management functions of all WMO observing systems as well as a framework and mechanism for interactions with WMO co-sponsored observing systems enabling integration, cooperation and coordination taking into account the multiplicity of perspectives and observing domains covered by WIGOS.  Through the WMO Information System (WIS), it will ensure availability of required data, metadata and products according to identified requirements.

Across all WMO domains of activity, WMO Member countries and partner organizations will benefit from WIGOS through: Improved quality, traceability and consistency of observations for better products and services; Improved access to observations, whether real-time, or not; Optimization of observing network design and flexibility to incorporate new observing systems; Improved coordination, standardization and evaluation of national observing networks by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs); Improved data assimilation techniques to allow better exploitation of observations in Numerical Weather Predictions (NWPs) in an integrated manner.

However, the development of WIGOS also poses challenges at many levels that the various contributing players and partners must resolve together.