At a meeting hosted by the Government of Ireland, the SOFF Steering Committee took critical decisions for its future operations. To maintain momentum, the Steering Committee decided to extend the SOFF’s First Implementation Period until June 2027.

As Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General and SOFF co-chair further highlighted, “We are not only building weather and climate data infrastructure. We are building equity, trust and resilience. That takes time. The extension of SOFF’s First Implementation Period reflects this reality.”

However, more needs to be done, and a solution is on the horizon.

Green light for innovative finance

SOFF contributes to strengthening climate adaptation and resilient development through improved weather forecasts, early warning systems and climate information services that save lives and livelihoods and protect property.

It provides grant financing and technical assistance for the sustained collection and international exchange of surface-based weather and climate observations according to the Global Basic Observing Network regulations. It prioritizes countries with the most severe shortfalls in observations, namely Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. 

To meet high country demand and unlock stalled investments, the Committee advanced the development of the SOFF Impact Bond, a complementary climate finance vehicle envisioned to mobilize up to USD 200 million through a mix of public, private, and philanthropic capital. This mix of private and public finance helps achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, including systematic observation globally.

The bond is expected to be announced at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP30. It will front-load investments to meet the urgent needs of countries and establish a scalable model for delivering a foundational global public good – basic weather and climate observation data.

The Nordic Development Fund announced a Booster Grant to support the development of the SOFF Impact Bond. Following two previous contributions to the SOFF UN fund, this marks a strong vote of confidence in SOFF’s innovative financing direction.

Impact Study

To inform and strengthen the case for scaled-up SOFF investments, Florian Pappenberger, Deputy Director at European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) presented the latest findings from a cutting-edge impact study.

The study shows that:

• Forecast uncertainty can be reduced by over 30% in Africa
• Up to 20% improvements are possible in Pacific SIDS
• Local investments create global benefits, as weather systems cross borders

In sum, better forecasts can benefit the people in the country and beyond. Not only can this feed into better early warning systems and save lives and livelihoods, but global weather and climate models benefit from this data in parallel, improving forecasts around the world.

Looking ahead – new co-chair representing funders

Additionally, the SOFF Steering Committee welcomes a new co-chair. After a year representing the funders, SOFF is deeply thankful for Ireland’s co-chairing of the SOFF Steering Committee. From 1 July 2025, Ambassador Willem van de Voorde, Special envoy of Belgium for Climate and Environment. Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. Belgium, will co-chair the committee along Celeste Saulo, representing WMO.