The Opportunity

The Global Basic Observing Network

In 2019, the World Meteorological Congress and its 193 member countries and territories agreed to establish the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON). As a landmark agreement, GBON offers a new approach in which the basic surfacebased weather observing network is designed, defined and monitored at the global level.
GBON sets out a clear requirement for all WMO Members to acquire and internationally exchange the most essential surface-based observational data at a minimum level of spatial resolution and time interval.

Achieving sustained compliance with the GBON requirements needs substantial investments, strengthened capacity and long-term resources for operation and maintenance in many countries.