WMO Marks 75 Years, Calls for Global Push to Deliver Early Warnings for All

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has sounded a global call to action to accelerate protection against climate and weather extremes, warning that millions of people remain unprotected despite a rapid expansion of early warning services worldwide.

Speaking at the opening of the Extraordinary World Meteorological Congress, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo urged member states to intensify collaboration under the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative — a global drive to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by life-saving early warning systems by 2027.

The four-day congress, which convenes 193 member states, coincides with WMO's 75th anniversary as the UN's specialized agency for weather, climate, and water. The event includes a ministerial-level session and a special address by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 22 October, emphasizing the urgency of scaling up resilience and preparedness amid worsening climate extremes.

"Seventy-five years ago, the World Meteorological Organization was born out of the reality that weather, water, and climate respect no national boundaries," said Celeste Saulo. "Global collaboration on observations and forecasts is indispensable because no country can face these challenges alone."

From Science to Action: A 75-Year Legacy

Founded in 1950, WMO has evolved from a small intergovernmental body coordinating weather observations into a global powerhouse of climate science and forecasting. Today, its data systems and technical networks underpin everything from disaster alerts to food security and aviation safety.

"The history of WMO is one of solidarity, cooperation, and shared data," Saulo reflected. "There can be no resilient development, no food security, no disaster risk reduction without the science, services, and infrastructure that we collectively provide."

This legacy is encapsulated in WMO's 75th-anniversary theme: "Science for Action" — a commitment to harnessing meteorological science for tangible global benefits. The same principle drives the Early Warnings for All initiative, which Saulo described as "Science in Action."

Early Warnings for All: Expanding Global Coverage

Launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in 2022, Early Warnings for All (EW4All) is led jointly by WMO, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The initiative brings together a diverse coalition of UN agencies, development banks, humanitarian organizations, academia, and private sector partners — from meteorological technology firms to telecommunications companies — to build a seamless chain of preparedness, spanning:

1. Observation and forecasting

2. Risk knowledge and data management

3. Warning dissemination and communication

4. Community preparedness and response

Initially focused on 30 high-risk countries, EW4All has since expanded to more than 100 participating nations, with national governments taking the lead in implementing locally tailored systems.

"Early Warnings for All is now more than an initiative," Saulo said. "It has become a brand for global solidarity. Together, we are saving lives, shaping policy, and strengthening resilience."

Life-Saving Gains, but Major Gaps Remain

WMO's latest analysis shows that 108 countries now have some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems, more than double the number in 2015. However, the protection gap remains vast, particularly across Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The consequences are stark:

• Disaster mortality is six times higher in countries without early warning systems.

• The number of people affected by disasters is four times higher in nations with limited coverage.

• Economic damages from extreme weather events continue to surge, with over US$4 trillion in losses globally since 1970.

Over the last 50 years, weather, water, and climate-related disasters have claimed more than 2 million lives, with 90% of deaths occurring in developing countries.

"The success of Early Warnings for All is not measured in reports or resolutions, but in lives saved and livelihoods protected," Saulo wrote in the foreword of WMO's new report. "This report is both a record of progress and a call to action."

New Report: Early Warnings for All in Focus

At the Extraordinary Congress, WMO launched a flagship publication titled "Early Warnings for All in Focus: Hazard Monitoring and Forecasting." The report tracks progress in detection, monitoring, and forecasting capabilities across the hydrometeorological value chain, identifying critical gaps that must be addressed to achieve universal early warning coverage by 2027.

Key Findings

• Capacity gaps: Of 62 country assessments, half possess only basic forecasting capacity, while 16% fall below that standard. Fragile and conflict-affected states are the worst off.

• Observation networks: Compliance with the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) remains low in poorer countries, though automation and data-sharing are improving.

• Data expansion: The number of surface observation stations sharing data via the WMO Information System (WIS) has grown by 20% since 2019, and daily reporting has increased by 60%, enhancing accuracy and lead times for early warnings.

• WIS2 revolution: The launch of WIS2 in 2025 marks a breakthrough in open data exchange, eliminating costly hardware requirements and enabling even small national services to participate fully.

• Satellite usage: While 56% of countries use satellite data for at least one hazard, only 20% use it comprehensively across all major hazards. Regional partnerships are helping close this gap.

• Forecasting systems: Through the WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS), over 150 designated centres now provide global forecast products, with 76% of Members accessing these tools.

• Severe Weather Forecasting Programme (SWFP): Operational in 85 countries, this programme provides real-time forecasting support across nine subregions.

• Digital innovation: Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool for developing nations lacking supercomputing capacity — yet the digital divide remains a serious barrier.

These findings reveal a mixed picture: strong technological progress and expanding global coverage, but persistent inequality in access to critical meteorological infrastructure.

Global Solidarity and Science in Action

In marking WMO's 75th anniversary, delegates reflected on the organization's pivotal role in transforming global cooperation on climate and weather data. The launch of WIS2, enhanced satellite partnerships, and growing South-South cooperation are emblematic of what Saulo called "a new era of shared responsibility."

"Global solidarity, guided by science and driven by partnership, can deliver transformative change," Saulo said. "As we look toward 2027, let us redouble our efforts to ensure that no one — no matter where they live — is left unprotected."

A Call to Action

At the Congress, Saulo issued a "Call to Action on Early Warnings for All", urging governments and international partners to:

• Scale up investment in observation networks and forecasting systems.

• Integrate early warnings into national development and climate policies.

• Close the digital divide by supporting technology transfer and capacity-building.

• Foster public trust and community engagement in early warning dissemination.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his upcoming address to the Congress, is expected to reinforce the call for universal early warning coverage by 2027, describing it as a moral and practical imperative in a warming world.

Looking Ahead: Protecting Every Life by 2027

The WMO's 75th year is a turning point — from celebrating scientific achievements to confronting the growing urgency of a planet under threat. With global temperatures rising, extreme weather intensifying, and economic losses mounting, early warning systems are humanity's first line of defence.

WMO's vision for the next decade is clear: a world where every community is protected by timely, accurate, and accessible warnings, powered by shared science and collective action.

"Our mission is simple," Saulo concluded. "To ensure that everyone, everywhere — from coastal villages to mountain valleys — can prepare, act, and survive when nature strikes."