Belize Selected for Systematic Observations Funding Facility (SOFF)
Introduction
Belize, a country in Central America, has been chosen as one of the inaugural recipients of the Systematic Observations Funding Facility (SOFF) by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This prestigious initiative aims to enhance climate adaptation and resilient development by improving the measurement of climate and meteorological parameters. By participating in SOFF, Belize will have access to advanced weather forecast technology and information services that will help protect lives, livelihoods, and property.
What is SOFF?
The Systematic Observations Funding Facility (SOFF) is an initiative pioneered by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to fortify climate adaptation and resilient development efforts worldwide. It focuses on improving the measurement and collection of climate and meteorological parameters, leading to more accurate weather forecasts, reliable early warning systems, and crucial climate information services.
By ensuring the sustained collection and sharing of high-quality surface-based weather and climate data, SOFF aims to enhance weather forecast products and climate models. These models are utilized by weather and climate prediction offices globally, including Belize’s National Meteorological Service (NMS).
Advantages for Belize
Belize’s participation in the SOFF initiative is projected to yield numerous benefits for the nation’s development:
- Improved Weather Forecasts: By implementing state-of-the-art weather station technology, Belize will have access to accurate and detailed weather condition measurements at various atmospheric levels. This data will significantly enhance weather forecasting capabilities, providing more precise and reliable forecasts to the general public.
- Effective Early Warning Systems: The upgraded weather station network and integrated technologies will bolster early warning systems in Belize. This advancement in alert systems will enable timely and targeted warnings for severe weather conditions, minimizing risks and saving lives.
- Climate Information Services: SOFF will equip Belize with climate information services vital for informed decision-making and planning. These services will help identify potential climate-related risks, develop appropriate strategies for climate adaptation, and support sustainable development efforts in the country.
The SOFF Journey for Belize
Belize is currently in the preparatory phase for SOFF implementation. The National Meteorological Service (NMS) is collaborating with esteemed advisors from the UK MET Office to develop a funding proposal for submission to the SOFF Secretariat. Once the proposal is approved, Belize will enter the coveted SOFF Investment Phase.
A team from the UK MET Office is actively engaged in the country, working alongside the NMS and other relevant stakeholders. Their objective is twofold: to identify ways to further enhance Belize’s weather services and products through SOFF and assess the overall contribution of the NMS to the nation’s socioeconomic development.
Through this collaboration, Belize aims to build human resources and enhance the institutional capacity of the NMS to ensure the proper maintenance and functioning of its expanded weather station network. Additionally, the NMS seeks to provide impact-based weather forecasts and early warnings that align with the United Nations Early Warning for All target, which Belize is committed to achieving by 2027 or earlier.
Deepening the Understanding of SOFF
To delve deeper into the benefits and implications of the Systematic Observations Funding Facility (SOFF), it’s essential to explore related concepts and shed light on practical examples. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of how SOFF can contribute to a country’s overall climate resilience and development.
1. Strengthening Climate Adaptation
SOFF plays a vital role in strengthening climate adaptation efforts globally. By providing countries with the necessary resources and funding to improve weather monitoring and data collection, SOFF enables a better understanding of current and future climatic conditions. This knowledge empowers governments, communities, and businesses to develop targeted strategies that mitigate climate risks and enhance resilience.
For example, in Belize, the upgraded weather station network established under SOFF will enable more precise monitoring of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and storms. With accurate and timely data on these events, authorities can implement effective disaster management plans and evacuation protocols, minimizing the impact on vulnerable populations and reducing economic losses.
2. Enhancing Socioeconomic Development
The integration of SOFF into a country’s meteorological systems can have far-reaching effects on socioeconomic development. By providing better weather forecasts and climate information services, SOFF empowers individuals, businesses, and policymakers to make informed decisions that can optimize resource allocation, protect infrastructure, and drive sustainable growth.
In the case of Belize, the systematic collection and sharing of high-quality weather and climate data under SOFF will contribute to the country’s tourism industry, which heavily relies on favorable weather conditions. Accurate weather forecasts will help tourists plan their trips effectively, optimizing their experiences and supporting Belize’s economy.
3. Building Partnerships and International Cooperation
SOFF fosters partnerships and international cooperation among meteorological organizations worldwide. By linking countries through a shared commitment to climate resilience, SOFF promotes knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the establishment of best practices.
In Belize, the collaboration between the National Meteorological Service (NMS) and the UK MET Office exemplifies the benefits of such partnerships. The UK MET Office, serving as a peer advisor, brings its expertise and experience to help Belize develop a robust funding proposal. This collaboration not only enhances Belize’s SOFF journey but also strengthens bilateral ties and creates opportunities for further collaboration in the future.
Summary
In conclusion, Belize has been selected as one of the pioneering countries to benefit from the Systematic Observations Funding Facility (SOFF) by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). SOFF aims to enhance climate adaptation and resilient development by improving the measurement and collection of climate and meteorological parameters. Belize’s participation in SOFF will result in improved weather forecasts, effective early warning systems, and climate information services. The country is currently in the preparatory phase, working closely with the UK MET Office to develop a funding proposal. Through the collaboration, Belize aims to build human resources, enhance institutional capacity, and provide impact-based weather forecasts and early warnings to the public.
By participating in SOFF, Belize will strengthen its climate adaptation efforts, enhance socioeconomic development, and foster partnerships and international cooperation. The improved weather monitoring and data collection under SOFF will enable the country to make informed decisions, protect its population, and drive sustainable growth.
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Belmopan, June 23, 2023.
Belize, through the National Weather Service (NMS) within the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, has been selected as one of the first countries in the world to benefit from the Systematic Observations Funding Facility (SOFF ) of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). ).
SOFF is an initiative aimed at strengthening climate adaptation and resilient development through better measurement of climate and meteorological parameters. Subsequently, this improvement will result in better weather forecasts, more reliable early warning systems, and climate information services to save lives and livelihoods, and protect property. SOFF strives to achieve these goals through the sustained collection and sharing of high-quality surface-based weather and climate measurements in accordance with the internationally agreed Basic Global Observing Network, leading to better weather forecast products and climate.
Belize is currently in the SOFF preparation phase and is supported by the UK MET Office as a peer advisor. In collaboration with her peer advisor, the NMS, she is working on developing a funding proposal to be submitted to the SOFF Secretariat. This proposal will then be considered for the SOFF Investment Phase.
A team from the UK MET Office is currently in the country collaborating with the NMS and relevant stakeholders to examine how these services and products could be further improved through SOFF and to explore the overall value of the NMS contribution to Belize’s socioeconomic development.
Overall, the SOFF initiative is expected to benefit Belize by ensuring that there is at least one weather station in the country that takes measurements of weather conditions at the surface and in the highest levels of the atmosphere and transmits that information for your use. in the global climate. and climate prediction models. These models, in turn, are used by all weather and climate prediction offices around the world, including the NMS. Other potential benefits include building the human resources and institutional capacity of the NMS to maintain its network of weather stations and provide impact-based weather forecasts and early warnings to the public. This is very critical as the country strives to meet the United Nations Early Warning for All target by the target year 2027 or earlier.
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