Regional Programme

The Regional Programme (RP) assists Members to develop the capacity of their National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and enables them to play a full role in the economic and social development of their countries. This is accomplished by:

• contributing to the development and implementation of projects and programmes that address their needs and by assisting the other Programmes in discharging their responsibilities related to regional activities;
• promoting and advising Members on any new high-priority activities of the Organization, such as those emanating from the follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and other relevant global and regional Conferences; and
• liaising with bodies and agencies of the United Nations system operating in the respective Regions and with regional inter-governmental bodies.

The Regional Programme ensures the efficient and effective functioning of the six WMO Regional Associations in coordinating the meteorological, hydrological, climatologic and related activities of their Members. The Programme provides a framework for regional cooperation in the implementation of the WMO strategies, policies and programmes, taking into account regional requirements, capacities and priorities.

The Regional structure is supplemented by related WMO Offices in the Regions as follows:

The WMO Regional Office for Africa (RAF)

• WMO Office for North, Central and West Africa (Abuja, Nigeria - UN House), and
• WMO Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (Nairobi, Kenya);

The WMO Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific (RAP)

• WMO Office for West Asia (Manama, Bahrain - UN House), and
• WMO Office for South-West Pacific (Apia, Samoa - SPREP REGIONAL ORGANIZATION);

The WMO Regional Office for the Americas (RAM)

• WMO Office for North America, Central America and the Caribbean (San Jose, Costa Rica)
• WMO Office for South America (Asuncion, Paraguay - METEO SERVICE)
• Mexico Project Office (Mexico City - METEO SERVICE)
• Haiti Project Office - UN HOUSE

The overall guidance and direction of the Programme is provided by the Regional Associations. During the intersessional periods, the oversight of regional activities is carried out by the presidents of Regional Associations, assisted by their respective Management Groups. Regular Meetings of the presidents of Regional Associations provide for inter-regional coordination.

The WMO Secretariat regional structure is composed of the following Offices: