Principal Documents

Congress governance (Cg-XV)

The Fifteenth World Meteorological Congress stressed that enhanced integration between the WMO observing systems was expected to generate important benefits for Members, their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and for the Organization as a whole. It would also be an important element in the efforts towards a cross-cutting approach on topics of interest to the Organization. With reference to Expected Results 4 (Integration of WMO observing systems) and 5 (Development and implementation of the new WMO Information System) given in the WMO Strategic Plan, Congress agreed to refer to that initiative by the acronym WIGOS (WMO Integrated Global Observing System). It placed a high priority on the endeavour and adopted Resolution 30 (Cg-XV) – Towards enhanced integration between WMO observing systems.

The integration process should ensure the continued partnership and participation of the bodies responsible for those observing systems, including the World Data Centres, as they became part of an integrated system of systems with sustained sense of ownership.

For a detailed description, reference is made to Fifteenth World Meteorological Congress (2007) (WMO-No. 1026), part Towards enhanced integration between WMO observing systems and Resolution 30 (Cg-XV).

EC guidance

EC-LIX considering the request expressed in Resolution 30 (Cg-XV) for the Executive Council to:

• Establish a mechanism to steer and monitor the activity and to achieve the broadest possible collaboration and cooperation,
• Ensure the active participation and representation of the principal bodies concerned and also the participation, as appropriate, of technical experts and representatives of agencies undertaking co-sponsored observing initiatives,
• Ensure that this mechanism is closely coordinated with the institutional arrangements for planning and overseeing the WMO Information System,
• Submit a comprehensive report on the integration between the WMO observing systems to Sixteenth Congress,

adopted Resolutions 3 (EC-LIX) Executive Council Working Group on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System and the WMO Information System

EC-LX agreed with recommendations of the first session of the EC Working Group on WIGOS and WIS including planning and implementation phases, pilot and demonstration projects, WIGOS levels of integration and the WIGOS Concept of Operations (CONOPS). The Council adopted the draft WIGOS Development and Implementation Plan V.1.1 and urged Members, regional associations and technical commissions to collaborate actively in the implementation of WDIP.The Council also agreed that CONOPS and WDIP should be kept up-to-date (on an annual basis) through a "rolling review" mechanism. The Council also stressed the need to prepare a standardized description of all observational networks contributing to WIGOS, including information on the owners of the WIGOS components and generated data.

For a detailed description, reference is made to EC-LX Report (WMO-No. 1032).

EC-LXI adopted the refined version of the WIGOS Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and the updated WIGOS Development and Implementation Plan (WDIP); the Council formulated its guidance and recommendations for the future development of WIGOS, including WIGOS demonstration and pilot projects and QMF in the WIGOS context.

The Council underlined the need for a comprehensive costed development and implementation strategy for taking WIGOS from a concept to reality; this strategy should address, inter alia, the technical and coordination challenges and the associated roles and responsibilities; the process for capturing the lessons learned from WIGOS projects and other activities; capacity building requirements to ensure that WIGOS benefits reach all Members; and designation of clear responsibilities across the WMO system for the further development of WIGOS.

For a detailed description, reference is made to:

• EC-LXI
• Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
• WIGOS Development and Implementation Plan (WDIP)

EC-LXII noted with appreciation the updated versions of the WIGOS Development and Implementation Plan (WDIP) and the WIGOS Concept of Operations (CONOPS), respectively, with the understanding that they might be further refined in view of the lesson learned from the WIGOS Test of Concept Phase. It was noted that the current version of CONOPS more adequately covered operational aspects of WIGOS and therefore, more fully met user expectations.

The Council endorsed the WIGOS Development and Implementation Strategy (WDIS). WDIS is based on the WMO Strategic Plan, taking into account lessons learned from WIGOS projects and other activities carried out during the WIGOS Test of Concept phase. It describes the steps to be followed by WMO to improve governance, management, and integration of observing systems. WDIS also includes capacity building requirements and specifies responsibilities across the WMO system for the further development and implementation of WIGOS, while addressing coordination and technical challenges of the implementation process.

The Council noted the significance of active cooperation and enhanced coordination among the technical commissions, regional associations, and WMO partner organizations. It underlined that integration activities be included in the work programmes and implementation plans of these entities.

Further details can be found in the Abridged Final Report with Resolutions of the Sixty-second Session of the Executive Council (WMO-No. 1059), the section of "WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS)", paragraphs 3.4.66 - 3.4.90.

Information documents submitted to EC-LXII:

English:  WDIP      CONOPS       WDIS      WIGOS Imperative

French:   WDIP      CONOPS       WDIS      WIGOS Imperative