Pilot Phase

The regional office began piloting the ClimWeb with several African countries from July to December of 2023, in response to formal request from the WMO’s Permanent Representatives (PRs), addressed to the director of WMO Regional Office for Africa. This section summarizes the progress in the pilot phase, conclusions drawn from the technical support and collaboration provided to NMHSs in developing their pilot websites.

Summary of the progress

Initially, the selected pilot countries were:

  • Ethiopia

  • Mozambique

  • Niger

  • Burkina Faso

  • Ghana

However, several additional countries have expressed interest in adapting the ClimWeb

The status of Climweb setup for each country can be found at https://climtech.africa/climweb/ |

The development of the website generally encompasses eleven steps.

  • The initial step is installation of the ClimWeb software package

  • Preparation of the base ClimWeb setting

  • Organisation of the website’s pages

  • Listing of the desired pages,

  • Listing of services and products made by NMHSs

  • Setup of the MapViewer package

  • Automatic products visualisation

  • Event pages setup and registration integration

  • Integration of NMHSs’s social media accounts into the website

  • Setup of CAP composing tool

  • Integration of email marketing tool with the website to enable users to sign up to receiving services via email.

Conclusion and recommendations

Broad Implementation and Technical Support

  • The ClimWeb has been enthusiastically embraced by member states in Africa, as numerous PRs have submitted formal requests to pilot the system to modernize their existing websites. Currently, ten countries are in various stages of ClimWeb customization, with the first group aiming to launch their updated websites between February and March 2024.

  • Countries have recognized the ClimWeb’s potential to significantly enhance service provision and elevate visibility not only among their public but also across line ministries and other stakeholders at the national, regional, and global levels. The ClimWeb is expected to foster greater public trust in the products and warnings, enhance national visibility, and improve institutional positioning within government structures. Additionally, its integration with digital marketing tools like email marketing and social media is anticipated to spur user growth. The ClimWeb has also been designed to optimize the utilization of satellite products, amplify the impact and visibility of warnings, and enable more effective comparison of national, regional and global forecast, and monitoring products.

  • Given the crucial role of a website as an institution’s global interface, it is recommended that the ClimWeb be made broadly accessible to NMHSs across Africa. The WMO’s continued technical support in customizing and adopting the ClimWeb is essential. A professional, user-friendly, and service-oriented website will bolster NMHSs’ presence and demonstrate their value at the national level, potentially leading to increased funding and recognition from national governments.

Licensing and Operational Guidelines

  • Adopting a Free Open Software System (FOSS) License for the ClimWeb is recommended, catering to the diverse needs of NMHSs. While the ClimWeb is specifically tailored for meteorological services, it should be noted that WMO offers it without any liability or warranty. NMHSs are encouraged to employ the ClimWeb according to their preferences, with the assurance of continued assistance from WMO and its partners in areas of installation and staff training.

Establishing a Community of Practice and Digital Public Good

  • In recognition of its transformative potential, the ClimWeb should be declared a “Digital Public Good.” This status will enhance its global visibility and utility. Furthermore, establishing a community of practice, comprising experts from various fields including ICT, climate science, and social sciences is crucial. This community will play a pivotal role in ensuring the ClimWeb’s continuous development, adapting it to the evolving challenges in climate services. A “ Digital Public Good” refers to digital products, typically software, data, AI models, standards, or content, that adhere to specific criteria of openness and inclusivity. These goods are designed to foster collaboration and inclusivity, often focusing on solving societal challenges especially in areas such as climate, healthcare, education, and governance. The annexe contains further information on the criteria for digital public goods.

  • To ensure sustainable maintenance and iteration of the system functionalities and technologies we recommend developing a community of practice made of ICT, climate and social science experts from NMHSs, Regional Climate Centers, Global Producing Centers, Satellite Agencies, Universities and any relevant institutions leading in innovation in climate services.

Global Accessibility and Contribution to Early Warning Systems

  • Expanding the ClimWeb’s reach beyond Africa is vital, aligning with the goals of the UN’s Early Warning for All Initiative. The ClimWeb, with its advanced tools and integrations, can significantly enhance early warning systems globally, thereby contributing to improved disaster preparedness and response.

Enhanced Visibility and Resource Accessibility

  • To maximize its impact, the ClimWeb’s code and user guides should be made widely accessible. A dedicated landing page, alongside distribution through partner organizations’ websites and networks, will ensure ease of access and usability. This step is crucial in promoting transparency, user engagement, and the system’s widespread adoption.

Resources