The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF)
Providing grant funding for the collection of weather and climate data
Global approach for sustained high-quality international data exchange as a measure of success
Innovative, long-term finance for sustainable progress towards Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) compliance
Technical competencies enhanced through peer-to-peer advisory support
Leverage partners‘ resources for complementary and coordinated support across the meteorological value chain
GOAL
Goal: Contribute to strengthening climate adaptation and resilient development
How: Through improved weather forecasts, early warning systems and climate information services that save lives and livelihoods and protect property.
By: Providing 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.
Where: In countries with the most severe shortfalls in observations, prioritising the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
THEORY OF CHANGE
SOFF is working to deliver sustained compliance with the Global Basic Observing Network. This leads to improved weather and climate prediction products
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"As the climate crisis worsens, it is crucial that we boost the power of prediction for everyone so countries can reduce disaster risk. That is why we have launched an initiative to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within the next five years. The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) is an essential tool to achieve this."
António Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General
SOFF UN MULTI-PARTNER
TRUST FUND
The United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office is the trustee of SOFF. The United Nations MPTF Office is the centre of expertise in pooled funding, and the only United Nations entity dedicated to the design and administration of multi-stakeholder pooled financing instruments, including SOFF. The United Nations MPTF Office Gateway provides up-to-date financial information of contributions, overall status, and each project of SOFF.
Find out moreSOFF GOVERNANCE
Achieving sustained standardized climate and weather data exchange requires the effective collaboration of many stakeholders. SOFF aims to maximize synergies and opportunities to ensure that the improved weather and climate data enabled by SOFF effectively translates into socio-economic benefits.
SOFF STEERING COMMITTEE
The decision-making body of SOFF, considering the recommendations from the Advisory Board. It includes non-decision-making members with voice and other ad-hoc participants without decision-making-power.SOFF ADVISORY BOARD
The Advisory Board brings together relevant stakeholders across the meteorological value chain to ensure the impact of SOFF operations is carried across the value chain.SOFF SECRETARIAT
A team of professional and administrative staff and operates under the overall guidance of and accountable to the Steering Committee. It is hosted by WMO and follows WMO regulations.SOFF TRUSTEE
The United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UNMPTF) Office performs the Administrative Agent function of SOFF.GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Co-creators
WMO, UNDP, UNEPTrustee
UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund OfficeFunding Partners
Bilaterals, Multilaterals and PhilanthropiesDECISION MAKING
Steering Committee
Decision-making Members:
Funders
WMO
Non-decision making Members:
UNDP & UNEP
LDC Group and AOSIS
Prospective funders
CREWS
UNMPTF Office (ex-officio)
SOFF Secretariat (ex-officio)
IMPLEMENTATION
Beneficiary countries:
LDC and SIDS
other OECD-ODA
eligible countries (readiness)
Implementing Entities:
Multilateral Development Banks and UN Organisations
Peer Advisors:
Advanced National
Meteorological Services
SUPPORT
GBON verification,
technical support
EARLY WARNINGS FOR ALL
SOFF is a foundational element and delivery vehicle of this initiative. It was announced by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and launched in 2022. SOFF strengthens the data foundation that underpins early warning systems and adaptation efforts. Warnings are only as good as the data they are built upon.
The countries with the biggest data gaps are also the vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. SOFF supports these countries with grants and technical assistance to collect basic weather and climate data and share it internationally.
Thus, providing observations that are an essential global public good. SOFF addresses this gap, while other partners supporting the Early Warnings for All initiative focus on forecasting, warnings, delivery of weather and climate information services, and actions to increase resilience and support adaptation to climate change.
The UN, governments and partners will work together to achieve Early Warnings for All by 2027. Financing solutions such as SOFF and Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative are delivering on the goal.
4 Pillars of the initiative
PARTNERS
The Alliance is committed to scale up and unite efforts to generate better weather forecasts, early warnings, and climate information by 2030. At 25th Conference of Parties (COP25) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2019, the major development and climate finance institutions formed this alliance.
As its first priority, the Alliance committed to establishing the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) to close the weather and climate observations gap including through innovation.
FAQ’s
For more detailed information, we have gathered frequently asked questions about SOFF and its operations.
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