WMO Technical Conference Overview

The conference will be organized around five topics, aligned with WMO, INFCOM, and SC-MINT priorities.

The topics are designed to be complementary, with clear distinctions between technology development, metrology and traceability, operational quality assurance, sustainability, and capacity development.

The conference is covering all types of observations and measurements relevant to WMO programmes (meteorological, hydrological, climatological, marine, etc.). 

Emerging Measurement Technologies and Integrated Observing Approaches 

  • New developments and innovations in instruments, methods, techniques and technologies for Earth system measurements,
  • Integrated observing approaches combining in situ, remote sensing, and non-traditional data sources,
  • Advanced measurement algorithms and signal processing techniques,
  • Opportunities and challenges related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data, Internet of Things (IoT), and crowdsourced observations,
  • Transition of innovative measurement technologies and methods from research to sustained operational use,
  • Best practices for data transmission, data exchange and data formats.

Characterization, Testing, and Performance of Instruments and Methods

  • Characterization of instruments and measurement methods,
  • Testing and verification procedures for instrument performance,
  • Outcomes and lessons learned from instrument intercomparisons,
  • Instrument performance under harsh environments and extreme weather conditions,
  • Long-term performance monitoring and stability of instruments and observing systems.   

Modernization of Observing Systems and Capacity Development

  • Modernization of observing systems and related infrastructure,
  • Experiences from capacity development projects, including donor-funded initiatives,
  • Best practices for tendering, procurement, contracting, supply and installation of observing systems and instruments,
  • Competencies and skills development for personnel involved in the design, installation, operation, maintenance, and calibration of observing systems,
  • Training activities, outreach materials, and e-learning tools and platforms,
  • Collaboration between NMHSs, research institutions, academia, and industry. 

Ensuring Measurement Quality Through Standardization, Traceability, Instrument Maintenance and Calibration

  • Traceability of measurements to recognized international standards,
  • Best practices for ensuring measurement traceability,
  • Calibration methods and procedures, including for surface and space based remote-sensing observing systems,
  • Implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 in calibration laboratories, including interlaboratory comparisons,
  • Collaboration between NMHSs and the metrology community (Regional Instrument Centres, National Metrology Institutes, ...)
  • Challenges and best practices related to overall the evaluation of measurement uncertainty,
  • Experience with the implementation of siting classification and measurement quality classification schemes,
  • Quality management systems and quality control procedures for observations,
  • Preventive and corrective maintenance, including field verification activities,
  • Implementation of calibration results in operational systems.

Operational and Environmental Sustainability of Observing Systems 

  • Development and operation of cost-effective, robust, and sustainable instruments and observing systems,
  • Design and operation of environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient observing systems,
  • Use of environmentally friendly materials components, and technologies in observing systems,
  • Operation and maintenance strategies,
  • Life-cycle management of instruments and observing networks, including environmental sustainability aspects,
  • Best practices for operation of observing systems under diverse environmental conditions, including extreme weather events,
  • Spare parts and consumables management practices.

The International Programme Committee (IPC)

International Programme Committee is established to oversee the preparation and organization of the conference in collaboration with the WMO Secretariat.

The IPC is responsible, in particular, for the evaluation of the abstracts, the selection of the presentations and development of the conference programme

  • Dr Jane Warne (Australia)-Conference Director
  • Dr Junhong Wang (United States of America)
  • Dr Jiankai Wang (China)
  • Dr Stephen A. Cohn (United States of America)
  • Dr Vasily Smolyanitsky (Russian Federation)
  • Dr Yves-Alain Roulet (Switzerland)
  • Mr Drago Groselj (Slovenia)
  • Dr Elian Augusto Wolfram (Argentina)
  • Dr Andrea Merlone (Italy)
  • Mr Andrew Harper (New Zealand)
  • Ms Nan Zhang (China)
  • Mr Humphrey Geoffrey Angulu (Kenya)
  • Dr Stefan Wacker (Germany)
  • Dr Daniel Michelson (Canada)
  • Mr Benjamin Rohrdantz (Germany)
  • Dr Zen Mariani (Canada)
  • Mr Libor Duchacek (Czechia)
  • Dr Elizabeth Jamieson (Canada)
  • Mr Marijn de Haij (Netherlands)
  • Dr Mareile Wolff (Norway)
  • Dr Herman G.J. Smith (Germany)
  • Dr Isabelle Rüedi (WMO Secretariat)
  • Mr Ercan Buyukbas (WMO Secretariat)
  • Mr Bibraj Raj (WMO Secretariat)
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