The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established in 1951 is a specialized agency of the United Nations for weather, climate, water and geophysical sciences. The Organization's principal purpose is "to coordinate, standardize, improve and encourage world wide exchange of weather, climate and water information between countries in the aid of human activities". WMO programmes focus on the safety and well being of the people, sustainable development in all its Member States and Territories. WMO has taken a proactive role in promoting the Millennium Development Goals, in particular MDG 7, through its natural disasters prevention and mitigation programme and the global observing system programme, to improve understanding of the climate system and its importance in terms of protecting the environment. The WMO Sub-Regional Office for the South-West Pacific is based in Samoa and was opened in April 1999. The Office covers 14 Pacific Island Countries including Cook Islands, Niue and Samoa. WMO assists the Pacific Islands through their respective National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to continue improving weather and climate information including warnings through the following: Collection of meteorological observations and exchange of data with other Pacific Islands; Transfer of technologial capability for preparation, provision and dissemination of weather and climate information, incuding warnings; and Strengthening of capacity building with users of weather and climate information.
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