A four-day workshop on Strategic and Implementation Planning for Sustainable Observations was held in Pretoria, South Africa, from 13-16 April 2026, hosted by the South African Weather Service (SAWS).
The workshop, organized by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with the financial support of the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme , aimed to strengthen the capacity of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to develop and implement National Observing Strategies aligned with the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS).
Observing systems underpin decision-making in key sectors such as water, agriculture, energy, transport, and health. Strengthening and modernizing national observing networks is therefore a critical priority for countries to improve resilience, enhance service delivery, and respond effectively to climate-related risks.
National Observing Strategies ensure that observing networks are demand-driven, sustainable, and compliant with WMO technical regulations. They also support national priorities and global initiatives such as the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and Early Warnings for All (EW4All).
The workshop brought together around 25 participants from multiple focus countries under the ClimSA Programme, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Representatives from WMO, Direction Générale de la Météorologie (DGM) of Morocco, and the South African Weather Service (SAWS) led the workshop, delivering a range of technical sessions. Dr Jonas Mphepya, Acting CEO of SAWS, explained, "observations are critical data points meant to save lives, protect infrastructure, guide critical decisions, and strengthen resilience and economic stability."
Technical guidance and exchange of best practices
The first part of the workshop focused on the technical and strategic foundations of observing system planning. Sessions covered principles of the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS), network design guidelines, and regulatory frameworks, including the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) and the Regional Basic Observing Networks (RBONs).
Contributions from WMO and partners - including Australia, Morocco, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Weather Ready Pacific of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme - illustrated practical approaches to strategic planning, network design, modernization, and sustainability. Sessions also explored innovative solutions such as low-cost observing systems, remote sensing technologies, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure.
From principles to practical implementation
The second part of the workshop was dedicated to hands-on work. Through guided group exercises, participants worked on key components of National Observing Strategies, including:
- Assessment of user requirements and stakeholder needs;
- Identification of challenges affecting siting, data collection, sharing, measurement traceability, procurement, and maintenance;
- Application of strategic planning tools and prioritization matrices; and
- Development of national operation and maintenance plans aligned with national priorities.
A strong emphasis was placed on the development of operations and maintenance plans, recognized as critical for ensuring the long-term sustainability and reliability of observing systems.
Throughout the workshop, participants emphasized the importance of partnerships and data sharing in strengthening observing systems. Regional perspectives, including those from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and transboundary hydrometeorological networks, highlighted the need for coordinated approaches across borders.
Key outcomes and way forward
By the end of the workshop, participants had developed initial drafts and outlines of national strategic and implementation plans tailored to their respective country contexts. They also gained practical tools and methodologies to refine these plans and align them with WIGOS principles and guidelines.
The workshop also fostered dialogue between NMHSs, WMO regional centres, and technical partners, contributing to a more harmonized approach to observation planning and capacity development in the region. It highlighted the role of NMHSs as leaders in observations and highlighted the importance of investing in sustainable, resilient observing systems.
