Voices of Support
Hear from partners, meteorological services and experts on why they support SOFF and the importance of closing the global weather and climate data gap.
SOFF Founders
“Through SOFF, we can generate and share the observational data needed for robust weather and climate forecasts, which are essential for early warning.”
Antonio Guterres
Secretary General, United Nations
“Climate action is hampered by a lack of basic observations and capacity to deliver useful climate services in developing countries. SOFF helps close that gap at speed and scale.”
Celeste Saulo
Secretary General, World Meteorological Organization
“As the planet hurtles toward 3°C, effective mitigation and adaptation must be underpinned by the best available science and data. SOFF is key to delivering that foundation.”
Inger Andersen
Executive Director, UN Environment Programme
“Closing the data gaps in developing countries must be a global priority as improved observations networks in one region strengthen forecast accuracy everywhere.”
Marcos Neto
Assistant Secretary General, United Nations Development Programme
SOFF Countries
“You cannot manage what you do not measure. For the first time, Bhutan is deploying advanced upper air observation systems, allowing us to contribute valuable data to the global network.”
H.E. Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay
Prime Minister of Bhutan
“The SOFF role is crucial: it provides a strong network of meteorological observations, enables accurate forecasts, and ensures timely advice to our people.”
Dr. Aderito Aramuge
General Director, Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology
“Joining SOFF is a moral issue to do for every meteorologist, because it’s about saving lives and properties.”
Dr. Ladislaus Benedict Chang’a
Director General of the Tanzania Meteorological Authority
“It is the first time we are installing an automatic upper-air station in Rwanda and in the region at large.”
Gahigi Aimable
Director General, Meteo Rwanda
“The last time we did take upper-air observations was fifteen years ago, we are looking forward to revive that.”
Lucy Mtilatila
Director, Malawi Climate Change and Meteorological Services
SOFF Community
“In the new climate economy, weather data is economic data and sharing this information is absolutely vital.”
Dr. Kristalina Georgiva
Director, International Monetary Fund
“As SOFF’s first funder, we firmly believe that early warnings are key for global climate adaptation and a way to save lives and livelihoods.”
Satu Santala
Managing Director, Nordic Development Fund
“SOFF fills an enormous need in the global effort to improve the quality, timeliness, and coverage of basic weather and climate observations.”
Sinead Walsh
Climate Director, Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs
“With SOFF support, SIDS benefit from better observations and contribute to the global observing system — creating co-benefits across the globe.”
H.E. Ilana Seid
Chair, Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
“Observations improve the quality of weather forecasts, reduce errors, and contribute to global models that strengthen local climate action.”
Florian Pappenberger
Deputy Director General, ECMWF
“Just 24 hours of warning of a coming storm or heatwave can cut the ensuing damage by 30% yet 1 person in 3 is still not adequately covered by early warning systems.”
Selvin Hart
Special Adviser and Assistant Secretary General for Climate Change
“I encourage governments, organizations, and the private sector to provide support through the necessary funding measures to secure SOFF’s successful roll-out.”
H.E Andrew Holness
Prime Minister, Jamaica
“Increased investments are needed in surface-based observation systems, especially in parts of Asia and the Pacific where data is sparse.”
Bruno Carrasco
Director General, Asian Development Bank
“Helping developing countries collect and share quality weather data could generate 5 billion USD in global benefits annually.”
Lord Nicholas Stern
Professor of Economics, London School of Economics
“High-quality weather forecasts are a cost-effective way to help millions of farmers in low and middle-income countries adapt to climate change and extreme weather.”
Michael Kremer
2019 Nobel prize for Economics
“As a founding partner of this alliance, we believe this initiative is well aligned with Adaptation Fund’s mission to help the most vulnerable communities adapt and build resilience to climate change.”
Mikko Ollikainen
Head of the Adaptation Fund
“Every forecast for any part of the planet needs data from across the globe, SOFF addresses this gap through a collaborative approach offering a dedicative platform that empowers to generate and share crucial data.”
Willem van de Voorde
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Belgium
“I am convinced of the transformative power SOFF can bring especially during this climate crisis.”
Maxime Prévot
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belgium
“We collaborate, share knowledge and ensure we take everybody along because no organization can do it all. We cannot leave any nation behind.”
Prof. Charles Afam Anosike
Director General of Nigerian Meteorological Agency
