Concept Note and Agenda   

Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum – 18 (PICOF-18)

21-22 April 2026

Hybrid: Nadi, Fiji and via Zoom

The Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF) is based on the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Climate Outlook Forum concept. 

The PICOF is co-organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Pacific  Regional Climate Centre Network (RCC-N), with technical support provided by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ), APEC Climate Centre (APCC), Meteo-France, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of Hawaii as members of the Pacific RCC-N Node for Long-Range Forecasting in partnership with the Pacific Islands Climate Services (PICS) Panel. The latter ensures the needs of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), and their stakeholders are met. The sponsor of PICOF-18 is SPREP CLIMSA. Ongoing BOM, SPREP and SPC support is largely funded by COSPPac.

Additional information on PICOF and the WMO Pacific RCC Network is available via the Pacific Met Desk Website

Overall objective: To discuss and produce objective, user-relevant regional climate and ocean outlook guidance in real time to support Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) NMHSs produce national climate and oceans climate information for their national stakeholders, with the ultimate aim to reduce climate-related risks and support sustainable development for the coming season in sectors of critical socioeconomic significance. 

Objectives:

1. Review the climate and oceanic conditions in the western Pacific region for the period November 2025 to April 2026;

2. Present and discuss long-term trends and projections for selected climate and ocean variables;

3. Present monthly and seasonal climate, ocean and tropical cyclone outlooks for the Southwest Pacific region for the period May to October 2026;

4. Discuss and review confidence/skill associated with May to October 2026 outlooks based on the discussions associated with 1-3.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Improved understanding of climate and ocean monitoring and prediction specifically for the target monitoring and prediction periods. 

2. Enhanced understanding of outlook confidence/skill for the period in question;

3. A regional PICOF statement containing climate, ocean and tropical cyclone outlooks for May to October 2026 which NMHSs can use as guide to develop their national statements;

4. A PICOF-18 report;

5. Content for regional partner and NMHSs climate and ocean bulletins as well as media and social media releases.

Registration Form

To register for the Eighteenth Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF-18) click on the registration link: here

PICOF Agenda

Pacific Island Climate Services Panel Meeting 

Background

The Pacific Island Climate Services Panel (PICS Panel) was endorsed by the Second Meeting of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-2) to serve in the capacity of an advisory committee to the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) on climate services matters in the Pacific region.

The PICS Panel established the WMO RA V Pacific Regional Climate Centre Network (Pacific RCC-N), endorsed by the PMC in 2017 (currently in demonstration mode). The Pacific RCC-N is a virtual Centre of Excellence that assists National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in the Pacific Islands region to deliver climate services and products and to strengthen their capacity to meet national climate information and service delivery needs.  While the Pacific RCC provides operational scientific services to NMHSs for long range forecasting, climate monitoring, climate projections, data services and training, the PICS Panel provides a strategic advisory service, providing the link between the Pacific RCC Management Committee and the PMC.

The purpose of the PICS Panel is to provide non-technical scientific advisory services to the PMC on matters related to the strengthening and coordinating of climate services at the community, national and regional levels and to guide the Pacific RCC-N in implementing the GFCS in a way consistent with Pacific climate service priorities. Future management of the Pacific RCC-N would ideally be delivered by the Pacific RCC-N management committee (with the PICS panel as a member). The Pacific RCC-N would ideally sit alongside the PICS Panel, co-managed by the WMO and PMC.

The role of the PICS Panel, in consultation with other partners, is to provide non-technical advice to the PMC on the following:

1. The strengthening, coordination, continuity and integration of current and future programmes, projects and initiatives that support climate services at the community, national and regional levels.

2. The enhancement of avenues and modes of multi-way communication and feedback between climate services providers and users to enhance the uptake and use of relevant and tailored climate services down to the communities and individuals.

3. Advisory to, and monitoring of, climates services-related projects and programmes in the Pacific that address priority activities outlined in the Pacific Island Meteorological Strategy (PIMS) 2017-2026 (in particular, PKOs 4-6) 

4. Seek funding support for and monitoring of the regional and national actions listed in the "Pacific Roadmap for Strengthened Climate Services 2017-2026”.

5. Advisory to, operational activities of the WMO RA V Pacific Regional Climate Centre, ensuring consistency with key climate service-related Pacific strategic priorities identified by the PMC and outlined in the Pacific Island Meteorological Strategy (PIMS) 2017-2026 and the Pacific Roadmap for Strengthened Climate Services 2017-2026.

6. The review of regional climate services needs and capabilities to recommend changes or further development Pacific RCC Network nodes products and services, in the areas of: 

   • Long-Range Forecasting - climate predictions (seasonal and sub-seasonal), climate and multi-hazard early warning

   • Climate Monitoring (both short- and long-term climate) 

   • Climate Change Projections 

   • Operational Data Services - data and product-based services 

   • Training - relevant to the different RCC nodes 

   • Research and development, 

7. Coordination of activities with other PMC panels, such as the PIAWS, PHS, PIMOS, PICI and PIETR panels.

8. The regular reporting to the PMC members on the progress of the PICS Panel and on the activities of the Pacific RCC.

Meeting Objectives

1. Review last meeting minutes
2. Develop PICS panel 2026 annual plan
3. RCC Updates
4. Design workshop details to unpack the Pacific Roadmap for Strengthened Climate Services

Expected Outcomes

1. 2026 Annual Plan
2. PICS panel members well vested with RCC plans
3. A detail workshop agenda to unpack of climate Services roadmap

Attendees

PICS panel Members:  Simon McGree, Arieta Baleisolomone, Salesa, Nihmei, Philip Malsale, Sunny Seuseu, Silipa Mulitalo,  Maria Ngemaes, Johannes Berdon, Kasis Inape, John Ruben, Alexandre Peltier, Selu Finaulahi, Rossy Mitiepo, Elinore Lutu McMoore, Victoire Laurent, Kamaitia Rubeetake, Brandon Bukunt, Nicolas Fauchereau, Leanne Webb, Jen Stewart, Jin Ho Yoo, Elisabeth Thompson, Awnesh Singh, Moleni  Tu’uholoaki

Pacific Regional Climate Centre Network (RCC-N) Designation Planning Meeting Agenda

Date: 24th  April, 2026

Venue: Nadi, Fiji