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WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
EXCHANGINGMETEOROLOGICAL
DATAGUIDELINES ON RELATIONSHIPS
IN COMMERCIAL METEOROLOGICAL ACTIVITIES WMO POLICY AND PRACTICE
WMO - No. 837
EXCHANGING METEOROLOGICAL
DATA
GUIDELINES ON RELATIONSHIPS IN COMMERCIAL METEOROLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
WMO POLICY AND PRACTICE
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION - GENEVA- SWITZERLAND1996
Cover: Circuits of the WMO Global Telecommunication System
WMO – No. 837© 1996, World Meteorological Organization
ISBN 92-63-10837-4
NOTE
The designations employed and the presentation of material in thispublication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever onthe part of the Secretariat of the World Meteorological Organizationconcerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or ofits authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers orboundaries.
Page
FOREWORD .................................................................................................................... 5
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 7
HISTORY ......................................................................................................................... 8
THE POLICY .................................................................................................................... 11
THE PRACTICE ............................................................................................................... 12
GUIDELINES ................................................................................................................... 15
IMPLEMENTATION ......................................................................................................... 16
CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................... 17
RESOLUTION 40 (Cg-XII) — WMO policy and practice for the exchange of meteorological and related data and products including guidelines on relationships in commercial meteorological activities ..................................................... 18
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
The Twelfth World Meteorological Congress, inGeneva in June 1995, adopted a policy on, anda new practice for, the international exchange ofmeteorological data and products that will havefar-reaching implications. The decision followedfour years of discussions and resolves one of themost crucial issues facing WMO and the worldmeteorological community: how to maintainand improve the free exchange of meteoro-logical data and products whilst safeguardingthe economic concerns of Members and thedevelopment of their national MeteorologicalServices. Congress also adopted guidelines forcommercial relations between nationalMeteorological or Hydrometeorological Services,and between them and the commercial sector.
In adopting the new policy, Congressstressed that WMO was committing itself tobroadening and enhancing the free and unre-stricted international exchange of meteoro-logical and related data and products. The newpractice states that:• Members shall provide on a free and unre-
stricted basis essential data and productswhich are necessary for the provision ofservices in support of the protection of life andproperty and the well-being of all nations,particularly those basic data and productsrequired to describe and forecast weather andclimate, and to support WMO programmes;
• Members should also provide the additionaldata and products required to sustain WMOprogrammes at the global, regional andnational levels and, as agreed, to assistother Members in the provision of meteoro-logical services in their countries. At thesame time, it is understood that Membersmay be justified in placing conditions on there-export of such data and products for
commercial purposes outside the receivingcountry or group of countries forming asingle economic group, for reasons relatingto national legislation or costs of production;
• Members should provide to the research andeducation communities, for their non-commercial activities, free and unrestrictedaccess to all data and products exchangedunder the auspices of WMO, with the under-standing that their commercial activities aresubject to the same conditions as above.Congress stressed that all meteorological
and related data and products required to fulfilMembers’ obligations under WMO programmeswould be encompassed by the combination ofessential and additional data and productsexchanged by Members.
This publication contains the text ofResolution 40, as adopted by Twelfth WMOCongress, as well as additional explanatoryinformation which, it is hoped, will be of help toall those interested in the international exchangeof meteorological data and products in enhanc-ing their understanding of the role of WMO inthis process.
I wish to express my gratitude to Mr Phil G.Aber who, in his capacity as consultant to WMO,prepared this brochure. Sincere thanks are alsodue to the members of the WMO ExecutiveCouncil’s Advisory Group on the Exchange ofMeteorological and Related Data and Productswho reviewed the brochure.
(G. O. P. Obasi)Secretary-General
The role of WMO
Within the area of national jurisdiction ofMembers:• To assist (if required) with the develop-
ment of national services;• To provide technical standards and
guidelines necessary for the effective andefficient exchange of meteorological andhydrological data.
Over large parts of the globe outsidenational jurisdiction of Members:• To provide an international mechanism
and framework for cooperative efforts toobtain data and provide services.
Purposes of WMO
WMO was created to promote and fostermeteorology and hydrology and facilitateworldwide cooperation for the benefit ofmankind by the:• Establishment of networks of observing
stations for the making of meteoro-logical, hydrological and othergeophysical observations;
• Development and maintenance ofsystems for processing and rapidexchange of data;
• Standardization of observations andprocessed products;
• Applications of meteorology to aviation,shipping, water problems, agriculture;
• Encouragement of research and training.
InternationalMeteorologicalConference, 1879
For over a century, nations of the world andtheir Meteorological Services have cooperatedin the free and unrestricted internationalexchange of meteorological/climatologicaldata and products. Typical of the dataexchanged are observations of temperature,wind, pressure and precipitation; typical prod-ucts include weather forecasts and warnings.This cooperative arrangement developed outof the realization that information on severeweather occurring “upstream” could provecrucial for anticipating dangerous stormswhich would sweep across national borders,threatening local populations and, inter alia,shipping and industry.
In the late nineteenth century, the devel-opment of telegraphy as a practical means forthe real-time exchange of urgent informationprovided the technological breakthroughneeded for the development of operationalmeteorology. At that time, many governmentsrecognized the value of meteorological appli-cations and formed public, national Weather orMeteorological Services. These Services weregiven the mandate to collect meteorologicaland other related scientific data and toexchange data and information internationally.
In the 1950s, several national Meteoro-logical or Hydrometeorological Services(NMSs) introduced the use of computers toproduce numerical weather forecasts based onhigh-speed computations of sophisticatedequations of physical processes in the atmos-phere. These “numerical models” played amajor role in increasing the accuracy ofweather forecasts. Running these numericalmodels to produce the forecasts requiredroutine and regular observations of temper-ature, atmospheric pressure and other
meteorological and, eventually, oceano-graphic parameters from all over the globe.Thus, adopting this technologically-advancedapproach to weather forecasting enhanced thedependency on the international exchange ofdata.
As its Members progressed in their fore-casting abilities, the World MeteorologicalOrganization (WMO) established programmeswhich incorporated the new capabilities.Products such as tropical storm warnings,weather predictions and drought forecasts,which were produced by individual WMOMember countries, were exchanged among allMembers with immeasurable benefit to theMembers and to their populations. Thus, thecooperative agreement for the free and unre-stricted exchange of data, which had provedso necessary and valuable to all, was extendedto meteorological and related products whichcontributed further to the common good.
Without this international exchange ofdata and products, today’s operational meteo-rology could not exist, nor could itscontributions to safety and protection, or itsclimatological applications and services to amultitude of economic sectors. Consequently,maintaining this free and unrestrictedexchange and the cooperative basis uponwhich it functions has been of the highestpriority for the Members of WMO.
7
The principle offree and un-restrictedexchange ofmeteorologicaldata betweennationalMeteorologicalServices shouldbe maintained.Tenth WMOCongress,Resolution 25 (Cg-X), 1987
Introduction
8
During the past two decades, the science ofmeteorology and its applications haveprogressed significantly. Advances in technol-ogy, such as satellite observations, high-speedcomputers capable of operating coupledocean-atmosphere models, and dedicateddissemination systems, contributed toincreases in the value and the variety of theavailable meteorological information.
During these same twenty years, the non-governmental commercial meteorologicalsector, which had existed in some countries formore than 40 years, expanded to take advan-tage of the growing, and profitable, globaldemand for applied meteorological services.At the same time, beginning in the early1970s, some national Meteorological orHydrometeorological Services also begancommercial activities in addition to providingtheir traditional, government-funded services.
More recently, the interest of NMSs inearning revenue from their meteorologicalservices has increased substantially. This forayinto commercialization arose, in part, as aresponse to reductions in some countries in thefunding of NMSs by their governments, andalso as an attempt to improve services throughincreased competitiveness and attention tomarketing principles. (In the past few years, anumber of NMSs have expanded theircommercial activities so that their commercialservices now provide revenue for at least fiveto ten per cent of their operating budget.)
From the outset, nearly all commercialmeteorological activities were dependent onthe availability of basic data and productsproduced by NMSs. In turn, some countriesdepended on the commercial sector to providemeteorological services that their NMSs could
not, or were not authorized to, provide. Aparticular example of this is the local, nationaland regional dissemination of weather infor-mation by the media. Providing servicesequivalent to those offered by public andprivate media would be beyond the resourcecapability and the authority of NMSs. Thus, therelationship between the commercial sectorand NMSs, for the most part, developed as asymbiotic one.
During the past decade, however, neweconomic and market factors developed whichcreated the potential for tensions betweenNMSs and the commercial sector, that is:• Some NMSs entered the commercial
sector as competitors with the non-governmental sector;
HISTORY
Meteorological data areobtained from a varietyof sources andprocessed using high-speed computers inmeteorological centresthroughout the world,such as the regionalforecasting centre inMelbourne shown opposite (Bureau ofMeteorology, Australia;this page: DeutscherWetterdienst)
• The budgets of some NMSs were reduced;• Some NMSs looked to the commercial
sector to help support the costs of main-taining the basic observing network andthe production of products, from which thecommercial sector benefited;
• Some NMSs lost some of their clients tocommercial meteorological firms whichmarketed their services even though theNMSs were offering the service withoutcharge;
• Some commercial meteorological firmsprovided services in developing countrieswhich had the potential of jeopardizing thestatus or the existence of the NMSs inthese countries;
• Data bases of meteorological observa-tions were created by some firms andagencies, which were used for secondarypurposes, including commercial ones,both within and outside the originating
country, without compensating oracknowledging the NMSs which had originated the data.The reaction to the development of non-
governmental commercial meteorologicalservices varied from country to country. Somecountries, by law, permit no meteorologicalservices other than by the NMS; others encour-age full involvement of the commercial sectorin all activities except the issuing of publicweather warnings.
The relationship between NMSs and thecommercial sector also varied greatly. In mostcases, these relationships remained symbiotic.In many instances, however, NMSs perceivedthe activities of the commercial sector asunfair competition or “dumping” whereas inother instances, the commercial sector sawsome NMS activities as protectionist or restrictive to trade.
Some NMSs responded by seeking to limitthe commercial sector’s access to data, fore-casts and other products, withdrawing theirmore sensitive information from general distri-bution. Other NMSs proposed to charge thecommercial sector for access to their data andproducts and, by so doing, to involve thecommercial sector in directly supporting thenational meteorological infrastructure. To thisend, Economic Interest Groups involving anumber of regionally-based NMSs wereconsidered and, in one instance, formed.
The tensions between NMSs and thecommercial sector, and the responses of theNMSs, also placed a strain on the traditionalcollaborative relationship among NMSs.Concerns were raised within WMO that, inresponding to the pressures from commercialactivities, the cooperative measures support-ing the free and unrestricted exchange ofinformation could be damaged. Ultimately, thedata and products necessary for world meteo-rology to operate might no longer be available,
9
Commercialmeteorologicalactivities (have)the potential toundermine thefree exchange ofmeteorologicaldata and prod-ucts betweennationalMeteorologicalServices.Eleventh WMOCongress, theGeneralSummary of theAbridged Report,1991
and major WMO Programmes, including theWorld Weather Watch and the World ClimateProgramme, would be jeopardized.
WMO recognized these concerns as beingextremely serious and concluded that resolv-ing them was of fundamental importance tothe Organization.
A series of studies, discussions and meet-ings were instituted as a basis for examiningthe concerns of WMO Members.
In response to the request from EleventhCongress, the Executive Council formed theWorking Group on the Commercialization ofMeteorological and Hydrological Services(WGCOM) and directed it to:• Study problems associated with the
commercialization of meteorological andhydrological products and services;
• Explore further measures to reinforce theprinciple of free and unrestricted interna-tional exchange of basic data andproducts.The WGCOM limited its investigations to
analyzing meteorological informationexchange and commercial activities. Thegroup recommended that the hydrologicalaspects of commercialization and dataexchange be kept under review at national andinternational levels, and that responses to theissues which were identified be framed by theWMO Commission for Hydrology in duecourse. The report prepared by the WGCOMwas presented to Twelfth Congress for itsconsideration in June 1995.
Extensive discussion and deliberationregarding the concerns raised by Membersabout these fundamental issues took placeduring Congress. Ultimately, Congressadopted a policy and practice on the interna-tional exchange of meteorological and relateddata and products. Congress also approvedtwo sets of guidelines on relationships incommercial meteorological activities. Thedecisions of Congress were recorded inResolution 40 (Cg-XII), which is reproduced onpage 18.
10
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850 KM
35 800 KM
SUBSATELLITEPOINT
POLARORBIT
GEOSTATIONARYORBIT
GOMS (Russia)76°E
METEOSAT (EUMETSAT)0°Longitude
METEOR (Russia)
GMS (Japan)140°E
GOES-E (USA)75°W
TIROS (USA)
GOES-W (USA)135°W
Meteorological satellitesprovided a turningpoint in observing theweather and inopening opportunitiesfor new communicationsystems
The policy, as adopted by Congress in Resolu-tion 40 (Cg-XII), explicitly affirms WMO’scommitment to the principle of free and un-restricted exchange of meteorological andrelated data and products.
Article 2 of the WMO Convention identifiesMembers’ obligations to facilitate worldwidecooperation in the establishment of observingnetworks and to promote the exchange of mete-orological and related information. Similarly,the Convention requires that Members maintaintheir own NMSs, i.e. ensure stable ongoingcommitment of resources to meet their obliga-tions in the common interest of all nations.
The adoption by Congress of the policy in Resolution 40 (Cg-XII) elaborates on thecooperative activities recorded in theConvention. The policy identifies free andunrestricted exchange of meteorological dataand products as a fundamental principle of theOrganization.
In formulating the policy on the exchangeof data and products, Congress also took intoconsideration:
• The call by world leaders at the UnitedNations Conference on Environment andDevelopment (Brazil, 1992) for increasingglobal commitment to the exchange ofscientific data and analysis and to promot-ing access to strengthened systematicobservations;
• The provision in the United NationsFramework Convention on ClimateChange committing all Parties to theConvention to promote and cooperate inthe full, open and prompt exchange ofinformation related to the climate systemand climate change;
• The basic role of the NMSs of WMOMembers in furthering applications ofmeteorology to all human activities.During its deliberations, Congress also
recognized the impact of the policy on otherworldwide, geophysical programmes. Conse-quently, Congress requested that the dataexchange issue be coordinated with the inter-national organizations concerned. Jointlysponsored and implemented programmes,such as the Global Climate Observing System,the Global Ocean Observing System, the WorldClimate Research Programme and theIntegrated Global Ocean Services System, werespecifically identified as needing attention.
11
As a fundamental principle of the World Meteorological Organization,and in consonance with the expanding requirements for its scientificand technical expertise, WMO commits itself to broadening andenhancing the free and unrestricted* international exchange of meteo-rological and related data and products.Twelfth WMO Congress, Resolution 40 (Cg-XII), 1995
* “Free and unrestricted” means non-discriminatory and without charge.“Without charge” in the context of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII), means at nomore than the cost of reproduction and delivery, without charge for the dataand products themselves.
THE POLICY
12
In adopting the practice for the internationalexchange of meteorological and related dataand products, Congress specified a minimumset of meteorological and related data andproducts which “Members shall exchangewithout charge and with no conditions on use”(see Resolution 40 (Cg-XII), Annex 1, page 21).
This minimum set of data and productswas considered essential support for WMOProgrammes and, particularly, as necessaryfor services in support of the protection of lifeand property. The set includes “the data fromthe Regional Basic Synoptic Networks and asmany data as possible to assist in defining thestate of the atmosphere at least on a scale ofthe order of 200 kilometres in the horizontaland 6 to 12 hours in time”.
The minimum set also includes productsdistributed by World Meteorological Centres(WMCs) and Regional Specialized Meteoro-logical Centres (RSMCs) to meet their WMOobligations, and severe weather warnings andadvisories for the protection of life and prop-erty. (Particular emphasis is placed onproducts required in support of time-sensitiveoperations regarding severe weather warningsand tropical cyclones.)
Congress recognized that additional dataand products, beyond those supplied in theminimum set, were required to sustain WMOprogrammes at the global, regional andnational levels and to assist other Members inthe provision of meteorological services intheir countries. Congress agreed that Members
THE PRACTICE
20
0
20
40
60
40
60
0 2020 40406080100120140160 80 100 120 140 160 18060180
0 2020 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 18080100120140160 60 40180
20
0
20
40
60
40
60
The Regional BasicSynoptic Network ofsurface meteorologicalstations. The GlobalObserving System of theWMO’s World WeatherWatch includes about10 000 land stations,900 of which also makeupper-air observations,some 7 000 ships and600 drifting buoys
13
Members shall provide on a free and unre-stricted basis essential data and productswhich are necessary for the provision ofservices in support of the protection of lifeand property and the well-being of allnations, particularly those basic data andproducts ... required to accurately describeand forecast weather and climate andsupport WMO Programmes;Members should also provide the additionaldata and products which are required tosustain WMO programmes at the global,regional, and national level ...... (In) providing these additional data andproducts, it is understood that WMOMembers may be justified in placing condi-tions on their re-export for commercialpurposes outside of the receiving country orgroup of countries forming a singleeconomic group, for reasons such asnational laws or costs of production;Members should provide to the researchand education communities, for their non-commercial activities, free and unrestrictedaccess to all data and products exchangedunder the auspices of WMO with the under-standing that their commercial activities aresubject to the same conditions identified(above) ...Twelfth WMO Congress, Resolution 40 (Cg-XII), 1995
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DISASTERPREVENTION
ORGANIZATIONS
INFORMATIONMEDIA &
GENERAL PUBLIC
AGRICULTURE
WATERRESOURCES
TRANSPORT RECREATION&
TOURISM
BUILDING
ELECTRICALUTILITIES
& ENERGY
ENVIRONMENT& HEALTH
NationalMeteorological Services
RTH RTH
RTH
RTHRTH
GlobalData-
processingSystem
GLOBAL CENTRE REGIONAL SPECIALIZED CENTRE
main circuit
NUMERICAL FORECAST
ARCHIVES
SYSTEMSUPPORT
ACTIVITIES
DATAMANAGEMENT
Global TelecommunicationSystem
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NMS
SATELLITESOUNDINGS
SATELLITEIMAGES
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ORBITINGSATELLITE
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SURFACESTATION
AUTOMATICSTATION
OCEANDATABUOY
WEATHERSHIP
AIRCRAFT
Overview of the WWW Basis System components.The WWW makes possible the worldwide collection,analysis and distribution of data and weather information and products
14
may place conditions on the re-export of theiradditional data and products for commercialpurposes. That is, conditions are to apply onlyto additional data and/or products which arere-exported outside of the receiving country(or group of countries forming a singleeconomic group). Reasons such as nationallaws or costly production were identified asbases for placing conditions on additional dataand/or products.
It was stressed by Congress that it is thecombination of essential and additional dataand products exchanged by Members thatprovides the sum total of meteorological andrelated data and products required by Membersto fulfil their obligations under WMOProgrammes. Moreover, once the practice wasfully implemented, Congress anticipated thatthe volume of information available to Memberswould increase when the data and productsprovided by Members in both the essential andadditional categories were considered.
Within the practice, Congress also affirmedWMO’s commitment to the research and educa-tional communities. Members were urged toprovide these communities with continued freeand unrestricted access to meteorological andrelated data and products for their non-commercial activities. Furthermore, thestrengthening of WMO and International
Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) World DataCentres was identified as part of WMO’scommitment to the research community.
As part of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII),Congress adopted the practice on the interna-tional exchange of meteorological and relateddata and products and urged Members toimplement it.
Data setdirectory
On-linedata
Orderingsystem
Off-linedata
Delivery vianetwork
Delivery viamedia
World Meteorological
Centre
Regional SpecializedMeteorological
Centre
National MeteorologicalCentre
National MeteorologicalCentre
WorldDataCentre
NationalDataCentre
Global Internet and enhanced GTS
ResearchDataCentre
WorldDataCentre
Each centre provides(as a minimum)
WMO distributed database concept
WMO had observed the expansion of nationaland international meteorological activities bythe commercial sector, and the differingapproaches adopted by Members for address-ing the growth. The Organization also notedMembers’ concerns that traditional coopera-tive relationships and exchange of informationamong Members would be affected by thesedevelopments; even the viability of someNMSs might be affected.
It was Congress’s view that the continuedfree and unrestricted exchange of meteorologi-cal and related information depended uponsound, fair, transparent and stable relationsamong all involved parties. Moreover, the main-tenance of the international exchange of dataand products and the development of meteoro-logical applications was in the public interest.
Congress, therefore, considered:• Actions designed to strengthen the co-
operative relations among NMSs;• Options for enhancing the relationship
between NMSs and the commercial sector.As a result of its considerations, Congress
concluded that WMO should promulgateguidelines designed to assist NMSs:• In their commercial meteorological
relationships;• In adapting to the challenges stemming
from the growth of the commercial sector’smeteorological activities.Congress also considered that the
commercial sector included government orga-nizations engaged in commercial activities.
Two sets of guidelines were adopted byCongress: “Guidelines for relations among
national Meteorological or Hydrometeor-ological Services (NMSs) regarding com-mercial activities” and “Guidelines for relationsbetween national Meteorological or Hydro-meteorological Services (NMSs) and thecommercial sector” (see Resolution 40 (Cg-XII), Annexes 2 and 3, pages 21 and 23).
The guidelines address a number of issues,inter alia:• Relations among NMSs arising from their
commercial activities;• Categorization of data and products as
essential or additional;• Distribution, use, export and re-export of
data and products;• The enforcement of the conditions placed
on additional data and products;• Contributions of NMSs and WMO to the
commercial sector’s operations;• Interdependence between NMSs and the
commercial sector;• Positive and negative impacts on the
capacities, expertise and development ofNMSs from commercial operations;
• Mutual benefit from cooperative inter-action between NMSs and the commercialsector;
• The use of negotiations to achieve satis-factory agreements.In formulating the guidelines, Congress
recognized the sovereign right of governments.NMSs were advised to respect the differentlegal, administrative and funding frameworkswhich govern the practices of NMSs in othercountries (or group of countries forming asingle economic group).
15
GUIDELINES
Congress urgedMembers toadhere to theguidelines ...recognizing therisk that themeteorologicalcommercialactivities of oneMember couldseriously affectanotherMember’s NMS’ssituation with itsgovernment.Twelfth WMOCongress,Resolution 40(Cg-XII), 1995
16
Congress, in adopting Resolution 40 (Cg-XII),provided explicit direction to WMO constituentbodies and to the Secretary-General regarding:• Implementing the practice;• Coordinating the data exchange issue with
other international organizations;• Monitoring and documenting the impacts
of commercialization; • Keeping Members informed about these
impacts;• Facilitating exchange of information on
commercialization among Members;• Explaining the WMO policy, practice and
guidelines to the commercial sector as wellas to other appropriate agencies and organizations.Overall, the Executive Council was
requested to concern itself with both the tech-nical and policy issues of implementing theresolution.
To assist the Executive Council with theseresponsibilities, Congress directed the techni-cal commissions and other technical bodies,the regional associations and the Secretary-General to provide advice and assistance tothe Council.
The president of the Commission for BasicSystems, in collaboration with the other tech-nical commissions, was invited to provideadvice and assistance to the Council on the technical aspects of implementing the
practice. In particular, the commissions wererequested to review and update relevant partsof the consolidated list of data and productsrequired to support WMO Programmes whichthey were developing. These lists were to beincluded in WMO regulatory material.
Furthermore, the regional associationswere requested to monitor and study, at theregional level, both the operational and policyimpacts of commercialization and ofResolution 40 (Cg-XII).
Congress noted that, in addition to WMO,many international agencies and organizationshave a stake in maintaining the exchange ofmeteorological and related data and products.Stakeholders include the Food and AgricultureOrganization of the United Nations (FAO), amajor user of meteorological data, and theIntergovernmental Oceanographic Commis-sion (IOC), the United Nations EnvironmentProgramme (UNEP) and ICSU, which jointlysponsor programmes with WMO. Congressrequested that the WMO Secretary-Generalmaintain effective coordination with otherinvolved international organizations, in respectof joint programmes, during WMO’s imple-mentation of Resolution 40 (Cg-XII).
In addition, the Secretary-General wasrequested to keep Members informed on theprogress in the implementation of Resolution40 (Cg-XII) by Members.
IMPLEMENTATion
Congressrequested theExecutive Councilto take appropri-ate steps for thefull implementa-tion of theresolution, takinginto account bothtechnical andpolicy issues ...and requested thetechnicalcommissions, theregional associa-tions, otherappropriatebodies (or theirpresidents orchairmen), andthe Secretary-General to takeactions ...Twelfth WMOCongress, theGeneralSummary of theAbridged FinalReport, 1995
In completing its deliberations on theexchange of data and products and commer-cialization, Congress expressed the desire thatits decision on the issue facilitate both long-term cooperation in the internationalcommunity among Member countries, and thedevelopment of their NMSs.
Furthermore, it was foreseen thatCongress’s decision on the issue wouldincrease the benefits to peoples of all nationsderived from the applications of meteoro-logical information.
The cooperative spirit in which consensuswas reached was noted by the Secretary-General as the overriding strength of WMO.
17
CONCLUSIONS
The resolution ... under discussion(Resolution 40 (Cg-XII)) was the mostimportant of those considered at TwelfthCongress. Adoption of the resolution wouldbe a milestone in the history of WMO, andcrucial for its further development.Twelfth WMO Congress, Minutes, 1995
Twelfth WorldMeteorological Congress,1995 (from left to right):
Dr A. S. Zaitsev, Assistant Secretary-General;
Dr J. W. Zillman, First Vice-President;Mr Zou Jingmeng,
President; Professor G. O. P. Obasi,Secretary-General; and
Mr M. J. P. Jarraud,Deputy Secretary-
General (WMO/Bianco)
18
THE CONGRESS,NOTING:(1) Resolution 23 (EC-XLII) — Guidelines on inter-
national aspects of provision of basic andspecial meteorological services,
(2) Resolution 20 (EC-XLVI) — WMO policy on theexchange of meteorological and related dataand products,
(3) Resolution 21 (EC-XLVI) — Proposed newpractice for the exchange of meteorological andrelated data and products,
(4) Resolution 22 (EC-XLVI) — WMO guidelines oncommercial activities,
(5) The report to Twelfth Congress of the chairmanof the Executive Council Working Group on theCommercialization of Meteorological andHydrological Services, established at therequest of Eleventh Congress by the ExecutiveCouncil in Resolution 2 (EC-XLIII) — WorkingGroup on the Commercialization of Meteoro-logical and Hydrological Services,
RECALLING:(1) The general policies of the Organization, as set
down in the Third WMO Long-term Plan(1992–2001) adopted by Eleventh Congress,which include, inter alia, that Members shouldreaffirm their commitment to the free and unre-stricted international exchange of basicmeteorological data and products, as defined inWMO Programmes (Third WMO Long-termPlan, Part I, Chapter 4, paragraph 127),
(2) The concern expressed by Eleventh Congressthat commercial meteorological activities hadthe potential to undermine the free exchange ofmeteorological data and products betweennational Meteorological Services,
CONSIDERING:(1) The continuing fundamental importance, for the
provision of meteorological services in all
countries, of the exchange of meteorologicaldata and products between WMO Members’national Meteorological or HydrometeorologicalServices (NMSs), WMCs, and RSMCs of theWWW Programme,
(2) Other programmes of world importance such asGCOS, GOOS, WCRP, and IGOSS, which aresponsored and implemented in cooperationwith other international organizations,
(3) The basic role of WMO Members’ NMSs infurthering applications of meteorology to allhuman activities,
(4) The call by the world leaders at UNCED (Brazil,1992) for increasing global commitment toexchange scientific data and analysis and forpromoting access to strengthened systematicobservations,
(5) The provision in the UN/FCCC committing allParties to the Convention to promote and coop-erate in the full, open, and prompt exchange ofinformation related to the climate system andclimate change,
RECOGNIZING:(1) The increasing requirement for the global
exchange of all types of environmental data inaddition to the established ongoing exchange ofmeteorological data and products under theauspices of the WWW,
(2) The basic responsibility of Members and theirNMSs to provide universal services in support ofsafety, security and economic benefits for thepeoples of their countries,
(3) The dependence of Members and their NMSs onthe stable, cooperative international exchangeof meteorological and related data and productsfor discharging their responsibilities,
(4) The continuing requirement for Governments toprovide for the meteorological infrastructure oftheir countries,
RESOLUTION 40 (Cg-XII)WMO policy and practice for the exchange of meteorological and relateddata and products including guidelines on relationships in commercialmeteorological activities
(5) The continuing need for, and benefits from,strengthening the capabilities of NMSs, inparticular in developing countries, to improvethe provision of services,
(6) The dependence of the research and educationcommunities on access to meteorological andrelated data and products,
(7) The right of Governments to choose the mannerby, and the extent to, which they make data andproducts available domestically or for interna-tional exchange,
RECOGNIZING FURTHER:(1) The existence of a trend towards the commer-
cialization of many meteorological andhydrological activities,
(2) The requirement by some Members that theirNMSs initiate or increase their commercialactivities,
(3) The risk arising from commercialization to theestablished system of free and unrestrictedexchange of data and products, which forms thebasis for the WWW, and to global cooperation inmeteorology,
(4) Both positive and negative impacts on thecapacities, expertise and development of NMSs,and particularly those of developing countries,from commercial operations within their territo-ries by the commercial sector including thecommercial activities of other NMSs,
REMINDS Members of their obligations under Article 2of the WMO Convention to facilitate worldwidecooperation in the establishment of observingnetworks and to promote the exchange of meteoro-logical and related information; and of the need toensure stable ongoing commitment of resources tomeet this obligation in the common interest of allnations;ADOPTS the following policy on the internationalexchange of meteorological and related data andproducts:
As a fundamental principle of the WorldMeteorological Organization (WMO), and inconsonance with the expanding requirementsfor its scientific and technical expertise, WMOcommits itself to broadening and enhancing thefree and unrestricted1 international exchange ofmeteorological and related data and products;
ADOPTS the following practice on the internationalexchange of meteorological and related data andproducts2:(1) Members shall provide on a free and unre-
stricted basis essential data and products whichare necessary for the provision of services insupport of the protection of life and propertyand the well-being of all nations, particularlythose basic data and products, as, at aminimum, described in Annex 1 to this resolu-tion, required to describe and forecastaccurately weather and climate, and supportWMO Programmes;
(2) Members should also provide the additionaldata and products which are required to sustainWMO Programmes at the global, regional, andnational levels and, further, as agreed, to assistother Members in the provision of meteorolog-ical services in their countries. While increasingthe volume of data and products available to allMembers by providing these additional dataand products, it is understood that WMOMembers may be justified in placing conditionson their re-export for commercial purposesoutside of the receiving country or group ofcountries forming a single economic group, forreasons such as national laws or costs ofproduction;
(3) Members should provide to the research andeducation communities, for their non-commer-cial activities, free and unrestricted access to alldata and products exchanged under theauspices of WMO with the understanding that
19
1 “Free and unrestricted” means non-discriminatory and without charge [Resolution 23 (EC-XLII) — Guidelineson international aspects of provision of basic and special meteorological services]. “Without charge”, in thecontext of this resolution, means at no more than the cost of reproduction and delivery, without charge for thedata and products themselves.
2 See Annex 4 to this resolution for definitions.
20their commercial activities are subject to thesame conditions identified in ADOPTS (2) above;
STRESSES that all meteorological and related dataand products required to fulfil Members’ obligationsunder WMO Programmes will be encompassed bythe combination of essential and additional data andproducts exchanged by Members;URGES Members to:(1) Strengthen their commitment to the free and
unrestricted exchange of meteorological andrelated data and products;
(2) Increase the volume of data and productsexchanged to meet the needs of WMOProgrammes;
(3) Assist other Members, to the extent possible,and as agreed, by providing additional data andproducts in support of time-sensitive operationsregarding severe weather warnings;
(4) Strengthen their commitments to the WMO andICSU WDCs in their collection and supply ofmeteorological and related data and productson a free and unrestricted basis;
(5) Implement the practice on the internationalexchange of meteorological and related dataand products, as described in Adopts (1) to (3)above;
(6) Make known to all Members, through the WMOSecretariat, those meteorological and relateddata and products which have conditionsrelated to their re-export for commercial pur-poses outside of the receiving country or groupof countries forming a single economic group;
(7) Make their best efforts to ensure that the condi-tions which have been applied by the originatorof additional data and products are madeknown to initial and subsequent recipients;
FURTHER URGES Members to comply with:(1) The Guidelines for Relations among National
Meteorological or Hydrometeorological Services
Regarding Commercial Activities as given inAnnex 2 to this resolution;
(2) The Guidelines for Relations between NationalMeteorological or Hydrometeorological Servicesand the Commercial Sector as given in Annex 3to this resolution;
INVITES Members to provide explanation of the WMOpolicy, practice, and guidelines to the commercialsector and other appropriate agencies and organizations;REQUESTS the Executive Council to:(1) Invite the president of CBS, in collaboration
with the other technical commissions as appro-priate, to provide advice and assistance on thetechnical aspects of implementation of thepractice;
(2) Invite the president of CHy to continue his workon the issue of commercialization and the inter-national exchange of hydrological data andproducts;
(3) Keep the implementation of this resolutionunder review and report to ThirteenthCongress;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to:(1) Keep Members informed on the impacts of
commercialization on WMO Programmes and tofacilitate the exchange of relevant informationon commercialization among NMSs;
(2) Report on a timely basis to all Members onthose meteorological and related data andproducts on which Members have placed condi-tions related to their re-export for commercialpurposes;
(3) Maintain effective coordination with IOC andother involved international organizations inrespect of joint programmes during WMO’simplementation of the practice;
DECIDES to review the implementation of this resolu-tion at Thirteenth Congress.
21
PURPOSE
The purpose of these guidelines is to maintain andstrengthen in the public interest the cooperative andsupportive relations among NMSs in the face ofdiffering national approaches to the growth ofcommercial meteorological activities.GUIDELINES
In order to ensure the maintenance of the inter-national exchange of data and products amongWMO Members, and to develop the applications ofmeteorology, while adapting to the new challengefrom the growth of commercial meteorologicalactivities:
1. NMSs should provide the first point of receiptwithin a country for WWW data and products, inorder to have complete and timely access to allthe information necessary for the production ofweather forecasts and warnings and othermeteorological/climatological services neces-sary for the protection of life and property andother public interest responsibilities entrustedto the NMSs and without prejudice to thenational laws of their territory of location;
2. NMSs should make their best efforts toensure that the conditions which have beenapplied by the originator of additional data
Annex 1 to Resolution 40 (Cg-XII)DATA AND PRODUCTS TO BE EXCHANGED WITHOUT CHARGE AND WITH NO CONDITIONS ON USE
PURPOSE
The purpose of this listing of meteorological andrelated data and products is to identify a minimumset of data and products which are essential tosupport WMO Programmes and which Membersshall exchange without charge and with no condi-tions on use. The meteorological and related dataand products which are essential to support WMOProgrammes include, in general, the data from theRBSNs and as many data as possible that will assistin defining the state of the atmosphere at least on ascale of the order of 200 km in the horizontal and sixto 12 hours in time.
CONTENTS
(1) Six-hourly surface synoptic data from RBSNs,e.g. data in SYNOP, BUFR or other generalpurpose WMO Code;
(2) All available in situ observations from themarine environment, e.g. data in SHIP, BUOY,BATHY, TESAC codes, etc.;
(3) All available aircraft reports, e.g. data inAMDAR, AIREP codes, etc.;
(4) All available data from upper air soundingnetworks, e.g. data in TEMP, PILOT, TEMPSHIP, PILOT SHIP codes, etc.;
(5) All reports from the network of stations recom-mended by the regional associations asnecessary to provide a good representation ofclimate, e.g. data in CLIMAT/CLIMAT TEMP andCLIMAT SHIP/CLIMAT TEMP SHIP codes, etc.;
(6) Products distributed by WMCs and RSMCs tomeet their WMO obligations;
(7) Severe weather warnings and advisories for theprotection of life and property targeted uponend-users;
(8) Those data and products from operationalmeteorological satellites that are agreedbetween WMO and satellite operators. (Theseshould include data and products necessary foroperations regarding severe weather warningsand tropical cyclone warnings.)
Annex 2 to Resolution 40 (Cg-XII)GUIDELINES FOR RELATIONS AMONG NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL OR HYDROMETEOROLOGICALSERVICES (NMSS) REGARDING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
22and products3 are made known to initial andsubsequent recipients;
3. In the case where conditions accompanying theexchange of additional data and products arenot honoured, the originating NMS may takeappropriate actions including denial of accessof these additional data and products to thereceiving Member;
4. NMSs may export NWP regional model prod-ucts employing additional data and products forcommercial purposes outside the country of theMember running the model, unless objected toby an affected Member. Every effort should bemade to coordinate the provision of suchservices prior to implementation to avoid possi-ble harm to other Members;
5. NMSs may distribute and export products fromglobal NWP models without regard to condi-tions which were attached to the original dataused in the models;
6. Services or products whose constructionwould suffer significant degradation byremoval of the additional data or products andfrom which the additional data and/or prod-ucts can be retrieved easily, or their use can beidentified unambiguously, should carry thesame conditions on their re-export forcommercial purposes as those additional dataor products;
7. An NMS receiving a request from a local clientfor service that it cannot fulfil may seek assis-tance from another NMS with the capacity toprovide it. Where appropriate to enhance thefree and unrestricted exchange of data andproducts among WMO Members, the serviceshould as far as possible be made availablethrough the offices of the NMS of the countrywithin which the client is located;
8. Similarly, unless other arrangements have beenagreed to, an NMS receiving a request toprovide service in another country should referthe request back to the NMS in that country, i.e.to the local NMS. In the event that the localNMS is unable to provide the service for lack offacilities or other legitimate reasons, the exter-nal NMS may seek to establish a collaborative
arrangement with the local NMS to provide theservice;
9. Where the service originated by one NMS islikely to affect other Members (e.g. in the provi-sion of regional broadcasts of meteorologicalinformation or the wide distribution of seasonalor climate forecasts), the NMS originating theservice should seek, well in advance, and takeinto account the response of the NMSs of theaffected Members, to the extent possible;
10. NMSs should, to the extent possible, refrainfrom using basic WWW data and productsreceived from other countries in ways whichjeopardize the performance of the public inter-est responsibilities of the originating NMSswithin their own countries. If an NMS finds that,in the undertaking of its public interest respon-sibilities it is affected adversely by a public orprivate organization in another country, it maywarn the NMS in the country from which theorganization is deriving the data and products.The latter NMS should consider measures tomitigate these adverse effects and take thoseactions appropriate under its national laws;
11. NMSs with experience in commercial activitiesshould make their expertise available, onrequest, to other NMSs, especially NMSs ofdeveloping countries, through the WMOSecretariat and bilaterally, and provide relevantdocumentation, seminars and trainingprogrammes to developing countries, on request,on the same financial basis as other WMO educa-tion and training courses are provided.
In implementing these guidelines, NMSs shouldtake into account and, as far as possible, respect thedifferent legal, administrative, and funding frame-works which govern the practices of NMSs in othercountries or group of countries forming a singleeconomic group. NMSs should, in particular, notethat other NMSs will be bound by their own nationallaws and regulations regarding any trade restrictivepractices. Furthermore, where a group of countriesforms a single economic group, the internal lawsand regulations appropriate to that group shall, forall internal group activities, take precedence overany conflicting guidelines.
3 “Additional data and products” means data and products additional to those with no conditions on their use.
23
Annex 3 to Resolution 40 (Cg-XII)GUIDELINES FOR RELATIONS BETWEEN NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL OR HYDROMETEOROLOGICALSERVICES (NMSS) AND THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR
PURPOSE
The purpose of these guidelines is to further improvethe relationship between NMSs and the commercialsector. The development of the exchange of meteo-rological and related information depends greatlyupon sound, fair, transparent, and stable relationsbetween these two sectors.GUIDELINES
These guidelines apply to the commercial sectorengaged in meteorological activities, which includesgovernment organizations engaged in commercialmeteorological activities.
In order to enhance the relationship between thetwo sectors:1. In the common interest, the commercial sector
is urged to respect the international dataexchange principles of the WWW and otherWMO Programmes;
2. The commercial sector is urged to recognizeand acknowledge the essential contribution ofNMSs and of WMO to the activities of thecommercial sector. NMSs and the commercialsector are urged to recognize the interdepen-dence and mutual benefit possible fromcooperative interaction;
3. In the case where the NMS of a country, partic-ularly of a developing country, were to consideritself affected by the commercial sector’scommercial use of data originated in its owncountry, all parties involved shall undertake
negotiations to achieve appropriate and satis-factory agreements;
4. Unless authorized to do so by the relevantMember, commercial sector providers of meteoro-logical services should not publicly issue warningsand forecasts relevant to the safety of life andproperty in the country or maritime area wherethey operate. Warnings and forecasts relevant tothe safety of life and property publicly issued bythe commercial sector should be consistent with those originated by NMSs or by other official originators in the course of the performance oftheir public service responsibilities;
5. In providing services, the commercial sectorshould be encouraged to employ meteoro-logical terminology consistent with establishednational and international practice;
6. Commercial sector providers of meteorologicalservices should respect the sovereignty andrules and regulations of the countries in whichthey deliver services;
7. NMSs are encouraged to discuss with theircountries’ meteorological community andprofessional societies the issues associated withthe international activities of the commercialsector;
8. NMSs are encouraged to collaborate with theircountries’ commercial sector and their profes-sional societies to maximize the use ofmeteorological information within their country.
24Annex 4 to Resolution 40 (Cg-XII)
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS IN THE PRACTICE AND GUIDELINES
Term Definition
Practice Specifications for the classification of, and the conditions attached to, the useof data and products exchanged among WMO Members.
Re-export Redistribute, physically or electronically, outside the receiving country orgroup of countries forming a single economic group, directly or through athird party.
For commercial purposes For recompense beyond the incremental cost of reproduction and delivery.
Commercial sector Governmental or non-governmental organizations or individuals operating forcommercial purposes.
Meteorological and relateddata and products
Geophysical (meteorological, oceanographic, etc.) observational data andproducts developed from these data acquired and/or produced by Membersto support WMO Programme requirements.
NOTES:1. Meteorological and related data and products are considered to includeclimatological data and products.2. Hydrological data and products, at this stage, are not included in theapplication of the practice.3. Aeronautical information generated specifically to serve the needs ofaviation and controlled under the Convention on International Civil Aviation(Chicago, 1944) is not included in the application of the practice.
Free and unrestricted Non-discriminatory and without charge (Resolution 23 (EC-XLII)) —Guidelines on international aspects of provision of basic and special meteo-rological services. “Without charge”, in the context of this resolution means atno more than the cost of reproduction and delivery, without charge for thedata and products themselves.
Research and educationcommunities
Researchers, teachers and students in academic and research institutions, inother research institutions within governmental and non-governmental orga-nizations, and these institutions themselves, as provided for in national lawsand regulations.
Acronyms
CBS Commission for Basic Systems (of WMO)Cg WMO CongressCHy Commission for Hydrology (of WMO)EC Executive Council (of WMO)FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsGCOS Global Climate Observing SystemGOOS Global Ocean Observing SystemGTS Global Telecommunication SystemICSU International Council of Scientific UnionsIGOSS Integrated Global Ocean Services SystemIOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (of UNESCO)NMS National Meteorological or Hydrometeorological ServiceNWP Numerical Weather PredictionRBSN Regional Basic Synoptic NetworkRSMC Regional Specialized Meteorological CentreRTH Regional Telecommunication HubUNCED United Nations Conference on Environment and DevelopmentUNEP United Nations Environment ProgrammeUN/FCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate ChangeWCRP World Climate Research Programme WDC World Data CentreWGCOM Working Group on the Commercialization of Meteorological and
Hydrological Services (of WMO Executive Council)WMC World Meteorological CentreWMO World Meteorological OrganizationWWW World Weather Watch (of WMO)
