IDB and UNDP Collaborate to Boost Climate Data in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance the collection and sharing of critical climate and weather data in Latin America and the Caribbean. This collaboration aims to support climate adaptation efforts and improve regional climate coordination.

Agreement Highlights

The agreement grants the IDB access to financing through the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), a funding mechanism established in 2021 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNDP, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). SOFF focuses on improving weather forecasts, early warning systems, and climate information services, prioritizing countries with significant data gaps, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Implementation and Initial Projects

As one of the first Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to access a UN-administered Multi-Partner Trust Fund, the IDB will implement the SOFF program starting in Belize with an initial grant of over $800,000. Following Belize, projects will be rolled out in The Bahamas, Barbados, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Strategic Alignment

This partnership aligns with the IDB’s strategies on biodiversity, natural capital, and climate action. By enhancing data collection and capacity building, SOFF will bolster climate adaptation efforts, strengthen regional coordination, and reduce vulnerability to climate change. Additionally, it will support IDB regional initiatives such as América en el Centro and One Caribbean.

Funding and Phases of SOFF

SOFF is funded by donors, including Austria, Belgium, Canada, and the United States, and operates in three phases:

1. Readiness Phase: Technical assistance to assess data gaps and develop National Contribution Plans.
2. Investment Phase: Grants to upgrade or install weather observation stations and build capacity.
3. Compliance Phase: Results-based financing and advisory services to maintain data-sharing stations.

IDB’s Role and Future Prospects

The IDB has played a crucial role in shaping SOFF, collaborating with WMO, UNEP, and UNDP to ensure the fund meets the needs of member countries. IDB President Ilan Goldfajn emphasized that improved climate data will enhance countries’ resilience to climate change, paving the way for other MDBs to access SOFF resources.

Prof. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of WMO, highlighted the importance of filling data gaps, stating that this initiative can significantly enhance local and global climate responses. UN-MPTF Office Executive Coordinator Alain Noudéhou expressed pride in establishing a partnership that will leverage additional resources to close the climate observation data gap.

About the IDB and UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office

The IDB is dedicated to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean by providing innovative solutions for sustainable development. The UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office, hosted by UNDP, specializes in pooled funding instruments, having administered over $19 billion in funds across 130 countries to support global development priorities and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About SOFF

SOFF is a specialized UN fund aimed at closing the climate and weather observation data gap, particularly in countries with severe shortfalls. It provides long-term financial and technical assistance to enhance the acquisition and international sharing of basic weather and climate observations, adhering to Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) standards. SOFF is integral to the UN’s Early Warnings for All Initiative.