Keeping the Promise
by Mario Peiro Espi – Head of Operations, SOFF Secretariat
The adoption of the Compliance Phase Framework at the 14th SOFF Steering Committee meeting marks one of the most important milestones since SOFF was created.
From the very beginning, SOFF made a promise to countries. It was not only about strengthening their observation systems, but also about supporting them in keeping those systems running and sharing data internationally over the long term.
This commitment came after decades of investments in observation infrastructure in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States that often failed to deliver lasting results. The projects were not designed for the long term. They funded equipment and infrastructure, but once the project ended, countries were often left without the resources needed to operate and maintain their observing networks. Eventually, stations went offline, and much of the progress was lost.
SOFF wanted to tackle that problem at its root, so it made quite a bold proposition: providing open-ended support for countries for as long as they continue sharing observations internationally.
It was not always an easy conversation. Open-ended financing is not something donors are used to.
Having worked within the United Nations system for several years, I know that “sustainability” is probably one of the words we use most often. Every project wants to be sustainable, but achieving it is not always straightforward. In this case, sustainability is built into SOFF’s DNA. In fact, it is one of the most sustainability-oriented financing initiatives in the climate space that I know of.
Countries that continue operating their observing networks and sharing observations internationally will receive continued support through results-based financing. This approach has already been applied successfully in other areas, such as REDD+, where countries receive payments for maintaining healthy forests to store carbon. Applying the same results-based principle to weather observations is, I believe, a groundbreaking step.
Just as importantly, countries will continue receiving technical assistance through SOFF’s Peer Advisors. That is also one of the greatest strengths of Compliance Phase Framework. Keeping observations running is not only about equipment and infrastructure, but also about having technical expertise you can rely on.
Another important feature is independent verification. Compliance is not self-declared. The World Meteorological Organization independently verifies that observations meet internationally agreed standards before results-based payments are made. That gives confidence to everyone involved.
The first countries could begin entering the Compliance Phase towards the end of 2027. Before that happens, they will go through a commissioning period during the final year of their investment phase, when they are already expected to exchange observations internationally. This allows us to check if the country is ready to move to the Compliance phase before we proceed with the results-based payments.
I’ve been with SOFF since we first opened our doors, and only three months ago I became Head of Operations. For me, seeing the Compliance Phase Framework being adopted means one step towards keeping the promise SOFF made to countries when it was created. Now we are beginning to deliver on it.
Will there be challenges along the way? Absolutely.
Every country is different. There will be situations we haven’t anticipated and that we will need to solve together. That is part of building something new.
Personally, I find that exciting.
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