World Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is a United Nations specialized agency. For more than a century, WMO and its predecessor, the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), establishied in 1873, have provided the focus for international cooperation in meteorology. This cooperation has ensured free and expeditious exchange of meteorological data and information amongst the Member countries, which forms the basis of all meteorological activities. WMO ensures the provision of authoritative international scientific information on the state and behaviour of the global atmosphere, the climate it produces, its interaction with the oceans, and the resulting distribution of water resources on the Earth. WMO is also responsible for assisting Member countries in applying weather, climate, ocean and hydrological information, thus allowing them to make more efficient use of their resources. This is crucial for achieving the sustainable development of nations.
As of 17 November 1995 there were 181 Members of WMO (176 nations and 5 territories).