Reliable weather and climate information saves lives. It helps farmers plan, keeps flights safe, supports water and energy decisions, and allows communities to act early when hazards strike. In Ethiopia, where droughts, floods, landslides and severe storms are increasingly affecting people, infrastructure and livelihoods, strengthening national early warning capability is not optional; it is a strategic priority.

To help accelerate this effort, a high-level delegation from the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI) carried out a capacity‑building and experience‑sharing visit to the Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) in January 2026. The mission was supported by UNDP through the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and focused on strengthening Ethiopia’s early warning value chain, from observations and data management to forecasting, communication and service delivery, while deepening a long‑standing partnership between the two national meteorological services.

Getting the basics right: observations you can trust

Good forecasts begin with good observations. Meteorological observations form the backbone of forecasting, climate services and early warning systems. As an active member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Ethiopia contributes to and benefits from regional and global observation and forecasting systems that support disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.

Ethiopia has invested significantly in observation infrastructure in recent years, including automatic weather stations and upper‑air systems. But sustaining these networks is often where the real challenge lies. Day‑to‑day operational issues—maintenance, calibration, staffing, clear standard procedures, and reliable data transmission—can undermine the value of even the best equipment.

Through SOFF, Ethiopia is working to strengthen observing systems, improve operational sustainability and build long‑term institutional capacity. These efforts directly support the UN Secretary‑General’s Early Warnings for All initiative and Ethiopia’s national priorities on climate resilience and disaster risk management.

What stood out in Türkiye: integrated operations that don’t break under pressure

TSMS operates as a highly integrated service—connecting dense observation networks, accredited calibration facilities, advanced numerical weather prediction and modern communication platforms. The visit went beyond presentations. It emphasized applied learning across the full workflow, from observations to forecasting, from systems to communication.

The EMI delegation engaged with TSMS experts on observing system management, upper‑air operations, calibration practices aligned with international standards, data quality assurance, numerical weather prediction, and warning dissemination. What came through strongly was operational discipline: the way each part of the chain supports the next, and the way the entire system is designed to deliver timely information under pressure.

A central takeaway was the importance of joined‑up workflows—where observations, forecasting, ICT systems and communication operate as a coordinated whole. Early warnings are only “end‑to‑end” when the science, systems and messaging work together.

The visit also highlighted the “middle” of the chain that is often overlooked: the digital backbone that keeps services running. Discussions with TSMS IT and data processing teams underlined the value of automated quality control, redundant communication pathways, cybersecurity measures and resilient data infrastructure—areas that become essential when hazards intensify and services are needed most.

Building on recent learning: what the China experience clarified

The Türkiye mission was especially useful because EMI came into it with fresh insights from a technical exchange with the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) in December 2025. Seeing different models in close succession helped sharpen priorities—not just on what strong services do, but on what they consistently invest in.

Across both TSMS and CMA, several building blocks stood out:

Accredited calibration and traceability (ISO 17025).

Both TSMS and CMA have established, traceable calibration laboratories, an area where EMI still has a clear gap. The two visits provided practical exposure to how these labs are organized, staffed, quality‑assured and linked to operational networks. For Ethiopia, calibration is not a side issue; it is foundational for data trust, network performance and international interoperability.

Quality management and standard procedures.

Both services have implemented ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems across their operations, supported by clear and comprehensive SOPs. EMI has applied ISO 9001 within aviation but expanding this institute‑wide would improve consistency and reliability. A practical next step is developing and implementing SOPs for AWS operations, upper‑air stations and the future calibration facility under the GBON–SOFF scope.

Training systems that are structured and scalable.

Both TSMS and CMA operate WMO Regional Training Centres with established national and regional programmes. This offers a strong model for EMI as it strengthens competency frameworks, develops systematic training pathways, and expands its longer‑term professional development approach.

Regional leadership is built on capability.

TSMS and CMA are designated WMO Regional Instrument Centres. EMI’s aspiration to achieve similar status in the region becomes more tangible when you see what it requires in practice: traceable measurement systems, robust procedures, sustained technical capacity, and a culture of quality.

Emergency readiness includes mobile solutions.

Both institutions maintain mobile weather stations ready for deployment during hazardous weather emergencies —capabilities Ethiopia currently lacks. The delegation gathered valuable insights for introducing mobile metrology solutions, particularly relevant as Ethiopia faces a range of hazards including earthquakes and landslides.

Technology choices should be evidence‑led.

TSMS has been testing digital print AWS technology over the past two years, generating operational lessons that are directly relevant to EMI’s planned adoption of similar systems in 2026. In China, CMA’s close work with a government‑owned instrument manufacturer offered insight into how next‑generation instruments are tested and validated at scale. CMA’s advanced radar calibration capability—including radar and lidar technologies—also provided useful lessons as Ethiopia strengthens radar-enabled early warning over time.

Together, these lessons provide a clearer modernization roadmap: strengthen measurement and quality systems, invest in people and procedures, and build digital resilience that keeps services running when they’re needed most.

Climate services that meet real needs: from dams to dairy and beekeeping

Beyond daily forecasts, the mission reinforced the importance of services built around real decisions in climate‑sensitive sectors.

One emerging opportunity is marine meteorology, a service area that could support water transport at the Renaissance Dam and strengthen safety across IGAD countries, recognizing that natural hazards do not stop at political borders.

The delegation also noted demand for tailored products that go beyond general agro‑meteorology, particularly for beekeeping and dairy production, where weather and climate conditions directly affect productivity and livelihoods. Türkiye’s practice of delivering daily forecasts via SMS to cooperatives is a simple, practical approach that could be adapted to improve access and timeliness for Ethiopian users.

 Partnerships that last: building capacity that stays

The missions reinforced the value of long‑term institutional partnerships. Continued cooperation opportunities—training, calibration support, peer‑to‑peer exchanges and engagement through WMO training networks—can help ensure that learning translates into sustained capability.

UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ethiopia in turning international cooperation into durable institutional strength. This aligns SOFF investments with the Early Warnings for All initiative and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2025–2030), which emphasizes institutional strengthening, digital transformation and climate‑resilient development.

Looking ahead

The January 2026 mission to TSMS marked a meaningful step forward for Ethiopia’s early warning ambition. The value of the visit was not in where the delegation went, but in what it clarified: the practical building blocks needed to strengthen operations—quality systems, calibration and maintenance routines, SOPs, robust digital infrastructure, verification culture and user‑centered communication.

Building on recent learning, EMI is better positioned to strengthen its observing systems, develop calibration capability, expand institute‑wide quality management, and deepen service delivery for priority sectors.

Through SOFF support and strengthened partnerships, Ethiopia is taking concrete steps toward a more robust, sustainable and internationally connected meteorological system—one that supports early action, safeguards lives and livelihoods, and advances climate‑resilient development.