The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has launched a new initiative to protect the global systems that provide weather forecasts and early warnings.

The WMO Weather, Climate and Water Intelligence Commons will pool public, philanthropic and private resources to keep vital weather information flowing and ensure systems remain reliable.

The initiative was announced at an Investors Forum in Geneva and will officially launch in 2026. It aims to raise at least US$100 million over five years and make better use of existing public investment.

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said early warnings save lives and money. In 2024, weather disasters caused 318 billion dollars in losses worldwide, half of it uninsured. Every dollar spent on early warning systems can prevent up to fifteen dollars in damage.

The WMO Commons will focus on keeping weather stations and satellite systems running, improving the sharing of data globally, and supporting services that provide early warnings for storms floods and other hazards. It will also help countries and communities better use weather information to plan and respond to risks.

Assistant Secretary-General Thomas Asare said the world depends on these systems every day but they are underfunded and fragile. The Commons will make sure weather and climate information continues to be available to everyone and supports public safety, global trade and emergency planning.