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A digital platform helping African countries improve climate services and disaster preparedness has been shortlisted for the inaugural United Nations 2.0 Innovation Awards, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen climate resilience across the continent.
ClimWeb, developed through a partnership between the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and NORCAP, a programme of the Norwegian Refugee Council, was named among 17 finalists selected from more than 200 entries submitted from across the United Nations system.
The platform was designed to address longstanding digital infrastructure gaps within Africa's National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), many of which have struggled to effectively communicate weather forecasts, climate information and hazard warnings to the public.
Until recently, a large proportion of meteorological agencies across Africa lacked functional digital platforms, limiting their ability to provide timely and accessible information to communities increasingly exposed to climate-related risks such as floods, droughts and severe storms.
ClimWeb offers a comprehensive suite of digital tools that enable meteorological and hydrological institutions to manage websites, publish forecasts and warnings, visualize climate data, access satellite imagery and communicate critical information to governments, businesses and vulnerable populations.
One of the platform's most significant innovations is its integrated Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) system, which allows agencies to issue standardized public warnings rapidly during emergencies. The platform also supports impact-based forecasting by combining weather information with socioeconomic and infrastructure data to help authorities better understand and respond to potential climate impacts.
The platform has witnessed rapid adoption across the continent. Currently, 42 countries and 48 institutions are utilizing ClimWeb, with dozens of operational deployments already supporting national weather and climate services.
Its growing influence is reflected in measurable results. Participating countries have reported a dramatic increase in the issuance of standardized CAP warnings, strengthening the delivery of life-saving early warning information and helping communities prepare for extreme weather events.
Beyond technology deployment, the programme has provided extensive technical assistance and capacity-building support to African meteorological services, helping improve institutional capabilities and operational effectiveness.
The initiative received further recognition in January 2026 when it was designated a Digital Public Good by the Digital Public Goods Alliance, acknowledging its contribution to advancing sustainable development through open-source innovation and international cooperation.
The United Nations 2.0 Innovation Awards recognize projects that leverage innovation, digital transformation, data, strategic foresight and behavioural science to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ClimWeb is also competing for the People's Choice Award, which will be decided through public voting scheduled to close on June 17.
Observers say the platform's nomination reflects the increasing importance of digital solutions in strengthening climate adaptation efforts and ensuring that vulnerable communities have access to timely and reliable information needed to respond to a changing climate.