Several intergovernmental organisations have been set up as an efficient way to co-ordinate these activities and share resources for research, education, training and technical methodologies.

• WMO
• ECMWF
• EUMETSAT
• EUMETNET EIG
• ECOMET
• Conference of Commonwealth Meteorologists (CCM)

World Meteorological Organization

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations, comprising of 189 Member States and Territories and with a Secretariat based in Geneva.

Role

• To promote standardisation of meteorological and related observations and ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics.
• To further the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping, agriculture and other human activities.
• To promote activities in operational hydrology and close co-operation between meteorological and hydrological services.
• To encourage research and training in meteorology and related fields.
• Assist in co-ordinating the international aspects of such research and training.
• Facilitate worldwide co-operation in the establishment and maintenance of observation networks.
• Promote the establishment and maintenance of systems for the rapid exchange of meteorological and related information.

ECMWF

The European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an intergovernmental organisation supported by 18 European States - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Objectives

• The development of numerical methods for medium-range weather forecasting.
• The preparation of medium-range weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member States.
• Scientific and technical research aimed at improving forecasts.
• The collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data

EUMETSAT

The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) is an intergovernmental organisation created through an international convention agreed by 18 European Member States - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. These States fund the EUMETSAT programmes and are the principal users of the systems.

EUMETSAT also has nine co-operating states: Slovak Republic, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Romania, the Czech Republic and Latvia.

EUMETSAT's primary objective is to establish, maintain and exploit European systems of operational meteorological satellites. EUMETSAT is responsible for the launch and operation of the satellites and for delivering satellite data to end users, as well as contributing to the operational monitoring of climate and the detection of global climate change.

EUMETNET EIG

The Network of European Meteorological Services (EUMETNET) Economic Interest Group is an expanding network of 26 European national meteorological services which aims to become more efficient in delivering meteorological services in Europe by sharing costs and knowledge and by pooling resources. It provides a framework to organise co-operative programmes between its members in fields such as data processing, basic forecasting products and research and development. Through the EUMETNET programmes and by working with other important organisations such as the European Union and the European Environment Agency, EUMETNET members aim to develop their individual and collective capabilities to better deliver high quality public meteorological and climate information services to all European users. Its primary task remains providing efficient, collective observational, technical and scientific support to optimise Short Range Numerical Weather Prediction in Europe.

ECOMET

ECOMET (the Economic Interest Grouping of the national meteorological services of the European Economic Area) was set up in 1995 to ensure fair competition in the field of meteorological services.

Objectives

• Preserve the exchange of free data sets and products between members.
• Help members maintain and improve infrastructure.
• Expand availability of meteorological information within the ECOMET territory.
• Increase the use and to improve the distribution of data, products and services of the members while maintaining and improving quality.
• Create the right conditions for members to develop economic activities

Conference of Commonwealth Meteorologists

The Conference of Commonwealth Meteorologists (CCM) is an informal network of the heads of the 53 Commonwealth meteorological and hydrological services. Meetings give directors the opportunity to discuss and resolve issues of mutual concern.

CCM is also continually working to provide and improve weather, climate and environmental services throughout the world.