Meeting: WMO Regional Office for Europe and UN Development Cooperation Office for ECA Deliberate Engagement for 2026-2030 Cycle
WMO, as a member of the UN Sustainable Development Group, has the authority to sign UN Cooperation Frameworks (CFs). These frameworks are agreements between UN agencies and governments, facilitated by UN Resident Coordinators, to implement priority initiatives accessing SDG and related funds. WMO has established Cooperation Frameworks in 11 countries across several Regional Associations (RA I, II, III, IV, and V), yet RA VI countries have not benefited due to resource limitations in the Regional Office for Europe.
The UN Development Cooperation Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) extended an invitation to the WMO Regional Office for Europe to participate in the upcoming cycle of ECA CFs spanning from 2026 to 2030 and bring added value to the process. As the two offices deliberated on the viability of collaboration, they engaged in fruitful discussions regarding the extent of their involvement throughout the process.
Engaging in CFs, which typically fall under country office responsibilities, surpasses the current mandate of the Regional Office. Consideration of piloting such engagement is essential, guided by the findings of the EC Task Force on the regional concept. This matter should be addressed in ongoing discussions about regional office functions, exploring alignment with country office mandates and evaluating potential downscale national programs supported by non-resident UN agencies through CFs.