Seychelles Meteorological Authority Deepens Ties With GeoSphere Austria Under WMO Support

A high-level visit by the Seychelles Meteorological Authority (SMA) to Austria's GeoSphere Institute has laid the groundwork for a formal partnership aimed at strengthening climate services, multi-hazard early warning systems, and institutional capacity in Seychelles.

The visit, held from 10 to 12 February 2026, was made possible through support from three World Meteorological Organization (WMO) initiatives: CREWS ASW Seychelles, CREWS SWIO, and WMO's broader support to the Hydromet Project.

The primary objectives were to explore institutional strengthening mechanisms, identify technical and scientific collaboration areas, and establish the basis for a long-term strategic partnership.

Strengthening Capacity Through Strategic Partnerships

WMO officials underscored that partnerships with advanced meteorological and hydrological services such as GeoSphere Austria are critical to accelerating progress in:

• Institutional capacity building

• Multi-hazard early warning systems

• Climate service delivery

• Disaster risk reduction

Such cooperation enables technical exchange, knowledge transfer, and access to innovative forecasting tools and technologies that can significantly enhance national meteorological operations.

Focus on Commercial Climate Services and Impact-Based Forecasting

During the visit, SMA staff gained hands-on exposure to several advanced climate service applications.

Key areas of discussion included:

• Development and delivery of commercial climate services

• Multi-hazard impact-based forecasting and advisory services

• Application of nowcasting tools for short-term severe weather events

The delegation also explored how GeoSphere Austria could provide technical support in customizing and operationalizing datasets from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).

This comes after ECMWF's recent adoption of an open-data policy and the availability of dedicated datasets under the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) for beneficiary national meteorological and hydrological services, including SMA.

Aligning With Seychelles' Strategic Goals

The discussions directly support SMA's five strategic priorities, which emphasize:

• Strengthening institutional capacity

• Expanding international partnerships

• Leveraging science and technology

• Enhancing impact-based forecasting capabilities

• Improving climate services delivery

By integrating advanced forecasting systems and regional data resources, SMA aims to better protect lives, livelihoods, and key sectors vulnerable to climate and weather hazards.

Concrete Next Steps Toward Formal Collaboration

One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the identification and prioritization of specific collaboration areas.

The next steps include:

• Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

• Developing a detailed joint work plan for implementation

The visit establishes a structured pathway for sustained cooperation, providing a concrete framework to support SMA's long-term modernization and resilience objectives.

As small island developing states face increasing exposure to extreme weather and climate variability, strengthened partnerships and access to advanced forecasting tools are expected to play a critical role in building adaptive capacity.