World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), founded in 1873, is the United Nations specialized agency on the on the state and behaviour of the Earth's atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources. WMO unites 191 states and territories. Belarus has been a member of WMO since 1948.
WMO promotes free and unrestricted exchange of data and information, products and services on matters relating to the safety and security of society, economic well-being and environmental protection. It also contributes to the formulation of policies in these areas at the national and international levels.
The main areas of cooperation between Belarus and WMO are meteorological observations in accordance with internationally agreed standards, rapid exchange of information, monitoring of the climate in Belarus, improving the effectiveness of the practical application of meteorological information, hydrological monitoring and assessment of the quantity and quality of water resources.
In addition, intensive collaboration is underway to train highly qualified meteorological and hydrological personnel through the provision of training materials, organization and support of training events and scholarships. Belarusian specialists regularly take part in WMO symposia, conferences and seminars.
In October 2009, the Secretary General of WMO, M.Jarraud visited the Republic of Belarus to attend the meeting of the Interstate Council for Hydrometeorology of CIS countries. This visit was the first in the history of cooperation.
In accordance with the decision of the 17th World Meteorological Congress (25 May- June 12, 2015, Geneva, Switzerland) the initiative to establish the Eurasian Office of WMO in Minsk was approved. Currently, the work on the draft of the relevant agreement is continuing.
Belarus also hosts WMO events. In April 2017 in Minsk, representatives of the countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia took part in a joint event of WMO and the European satellite organization dedicated to the EUMETSAT Information Day.
In June 2017, a joint meeting of the Working Group “Meteorological Support for Civil Aviation” and the Project Team on the Implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices in Eastern Europe was held in the CIS Executive Committee in Minsk as part of the activities of the Interstate Council for Hydrometeorology of the CIS Member States. The meeting was attended by representatives of ICAO, Austria Control, representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine. The event was supported by WMO.
In September 2017, the Eurasian seminar on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System took place in Minsk, in which experts responsible for observing systems participated from Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, China, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Croatia and Ukraine.
In February 208, within the framework of the participation of the delegation of Belarus headed by the First Deputy Head of Belgidromet Maria Hermenchuk at the meeting of the WMO Regional Association VI (Europe), the Secretary General of WMO Petteri Taalas presented Belgidromet with a certificate for expert contribution to the work of the Regional Association, on the creation of the WMO Eurasian office.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus is the leading republican body for cooperation with WMO.
