Bhutan is set to receive USD 4.6 million aimed at strengthening its weather forecasting capabilities, early warning systems, and climate adaptation strategies. This significant funding was announced at the Regional Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) Workshop for South Asia, which began yesterday and will conclude on September 26.
Organized by Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the workshop brought together key stakeholders, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), officials from the WMO SOFF Secretariat, and directors general from meteorological services in Nepal, Maldives, and Bangladesh. These countries are also recipients of SOFF funding, underscoring a regional commitment to climate resilience.
The Bhutan SOFF investment project received approval from the SOFF Secretariat in March this year. Karma Tshering, Secretary of MoENR, emphasized the alignment of this funding with the government’s 13th Five-Year Plan, which prioritizes economic growth through strategic investments in critical sectors. “Climate-resilient development is a priority in the country to ensure disaster risk reduction,” Tshering stated. “Timely data is essential for sectors such as hydropower, agriculture, aviation, and healthcare.”
Bhutan has developed a comprehensive Roadmap for 2024-2034, aiming to balance development with resilience amidst changing climate conditions. The country is particularly focused on addressing the rapid retreat of glaciers and the associated risks, which threaten both the environment and livelihoods.
Markus Repnik, Director of the SOFF Secretariat at WMO, assured that support for Bhutan will continue beyond the current project. “SOFF was established to provide grant financing and technical assistance to Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, enabling the sustainable collection and exchange of essential weather and climate data,” Repnik explained. “South Asia, with its population of approximately two billion, is at the forefront of SOFF’s implementation efforts.”
Established in 2021 during the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, SOFF operates as a United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund, with its Secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Bhutan’s National Adaptation Plan 2023 outlines several priority areas, including the enhancement of hydro meteorological services, expansion of weather station networks, development of efficient databases, and improvement of weather forecasting and early warning systems. Karma Dupchu, Director of NCHM, highlighted the urgent need for investment in weather and climate data systems to combat the increasing frequency of natural disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods and extreme weather events.
“This project is crucial for achieving our strategic climate adaptation and resilience goals,” Dupchu said. “It will strengthen our technical, institutional, and human capacities for basic weather and climate observations, aligning with the Global Basic Observing Network regulations and supporting multi-hazard early warning systems.”
The project, with a total funding of USD 4.6 million, will be disbursed in three tranches between 2024 and May 2029. NCHM will serve as the national executing entity, while UNEP will handle implementation, financial assistance, evaluation, and reporting. Additionally, Civil Society Organizations and other national agencies will be engaged to ensure comprehensive project execution.
Key components of the project include the establishment of an upper air observation system, WMO-certified Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), calibration facilities, and extensive capacity-building initiatives. These efforts will enhance Bhutan’s ability to manage and respond to climate-related challenges effectively.
This financial support marks a pivotal step in Bhutan’s ongoing efforts to bolster its climate resilience, ensuring the safety and prosperity of its communities in the face of evolving environmental threats.
