World Meteorological Organization

The consultation meeting organized by the WMO Regional Office for Europe (ROE) on June 17 marked a significant step in strengthening the coordination and support for the RA VI Management Group in overseeing the activities of the Regional Training Centers (RTCs). The meeting gathered representatives from the five RTCs in the region, as well as key stakeholders from WMO, to discuss key issues affecting capacity building and the future of training in meteorology and hydrology.

The meeting was opened by Mrs. Berghi, Program Officer from the ROE, who emphasized the importance of collaboration among the RTCs, the RA VI Management Group, and the broader WMO community. She highlighted the critical role the RTCs play in the continued development of meteorological and hydrological services across Europe and beyond, and the necessity of ensuring that training programs are responsive to the changing needs of Member States. Mrs. Berghi's opening remarks set the tone for the meeting, stressing the importance of aligning RTC activities with regional priorities and fostering closer cooperation to address global challenges such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, and the integration of new technologies in meteorology.

RTC Israel: Addressing Global Needs Amidst Challenges

Lilach Lev from the IMS RTC in Israel presented the center’s history, which dates back to the 1960s, initially focusing on agrometeorology and evolving to offer specialized courses, including flood forecasting and climate services. The center’s main challenge has been the ongoing security situation in Israel, which led to the cancellation of two in-person courses. For 2024, Israel plans to conduct an online course on climate services. Despite these challenges, RTC Israel continues to ensure gender balance in its programs and emphasizes collaboration with global partners like WMO and MASHAV.

RTC Italy: Expanding Agrometeorology and Climate Services

Marina Baldi from RTC Italy highlighted the center’s diverse training activities, particularly its focus on agrometeorology, climate services, and capacity building in agriculture, water, and food security. The center uses a blended learning approach, combining online and face-to-face sessions. Although there are challenges such as financial constraints and language barriers, RTC Italy remains committed to offering practical training to professionals, particularly in Africa. Moving forward, the center aims to integrate digital tools like artificial intelligence to enhance learning and improve engagement in both online and in-person training formats.

RTC Russian Federation: A Stronghold in Hydrometeorology

The RTC in the Russian Federation, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, focuses on training hydrometeorologists and climate change adaptation. Maria Mamaeva provided a detailed overview, explaining the role of three key institutions: the Hydrometeorological Technical School, Russian State Hydrometeorological University, and the Training Center. The RTC supports over 500 students annually, particularly from CIS countries, offering more than 220 programs. The center plans to expand its online offerings and develop new courses aligned with the WMO Global Campus. Key challenges include the integration of new technological advancements and the upcoming merger of institutions, which could impact WMO agreements.

RTC Turkiye: A Hub for Meteorological Education

Murat Altinyollar from RTC Turkiye discussed the center’s extensive facilities in Ankara, Alanya, and Istanbul, offering a variety of short-term courses in meteorological operations, calibration, and forecasting. Despite challenges like earthquakes, the center has remained resilient, continuing to provide training even in the face of adversity. RTC Turkiye has also emphasized international cooperation, particularly with Afghanistan’s Meteorological Department. The center aims to further collaborate with research institutes and universities to integrate academic research into practical training.

The Role of WMO’s Education and Training Office (ETR)

Paul Bugeac and Mustafa Adiguzel from WMO’s ETR Office provided updates on the strategic direction for RTCs, focusing on the need to adapt training to the evolving demands of early warning systems and climate resilience. They discussed the challenges of improving participant selection, modularizing training programs, and incorporating AI into courses. The ETR Office is working to align training efforts with WMO's Regional Associations (RA VI) priorities, emphasizing the importance of competency-based approaches and strengthening international collaboration.

Key Outcomes from Discussions:

• Restructuring Training Formats: There was a consensus on restructuring the training of trainers program, shifting from long courses to modular formats to better address specific needs and maintain trainer competencies.
• Focus on Digital Technologies: Participants discussed the integration of artificial intelligence and other digital tools to improve training effectiveness and engagement.
• Enhancing RTC Collaboration: There was strong support for fostering collaboration among RTCs across regions, particularly in sharing knowledge and addressing training gaps.
• Gender Integration: Gender balance in RTC programs continues to be a priority, with ongoing efforts to ensure equal representation.
• Human Resource Challenges: Several RTCs highlighted the need to address human resource constraints and explore partnerships with the private sector to improve training resources.

In closing, participants agreed on the need for regular consultations and the possibility of holding future meetings in person, potentially in Alanya, Turkiye, to foster better engagement and networking. A focus on aligning RTC programs with real-world needs and improving training outcomes was emphasized. Key follow-up actions include:

• Regular Meetings: Establishing regular consultation meetings to proactively address RTC challenges.
• Human Resource Solutions: Developing strategies to overcome human resource constraints at RTCs.
• Integration of AI and Digital Technologies: Moving forward with AI and digital technologies to improve training offerings.
• Strengthening International Collaboration: Promoting collaboration between RTCs across regions and with private sector partners.

As WMO continues to build capacity in meteorology and climate services, the collective efforts of RTCs remain crucial in supporting member states, particularly in the context of evolving climate risks and technological advancements. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement in training to meet the needs of the global community.