PMMM 4

PMMM-4

fOURTH PACIFIC MINISTERIAL MEETING ON METEORLOGY

16 September 2026
Nukualofa, Kingdom of Tonga
Theme: "Weather Ready for a Secured and Sustainable Blue Pacific"

Concept Note

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INTRODUCTION

  1. The Fourth Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM-4) will be hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga in Nuku’alofa on 16 September 2026. It will follow the Eighth Meeting of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8), whose technical recommendations and regional priorities will be presented to Ministers for consideration and direction.

  2. PMMM-4 will provide a high-level forum for Ministers responsible for meteorology to consider the contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to the safety, well-being and sustainable development of Pacific communities through weather, climate, water, ocean, forecast, warning and related services.

  3. The meeting will review progress in implementing the Nuku’alofa Ministerial Declaration (2015), Honiara Ministerial Statement (2017) and Namaka Ministerial Declaration (2023), and will consider the outcomes of PMC-8 and the continuing support of the World Meteorological Organization and Regional Association V.

  4. PMMM-4 will consider how the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy 2027–2036 and Weather Ready Pacific can support the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The theme, “Weather Ready for a Secured and Sustainable Pacific,” recognises that a resilient Pacific depends on strong NMHSs, reliable observing and communication networks, effective early warning systems, skilled personnel, sustainable maintenance and coordinated partnerships.

  5. The principal outcome of PMMM-4 will be the consideration and adoption of the Matatoa Ministerial Declaration, providing political direction and commitments for strengthening and sustaining weather, climate, water, ocean and early warning services across the Pacific.

OBJECTIVES

  1. The main objectives of PMMM-4 are to:

    1. Engage Ministers in setting the strategic direction for meteorological and related services in the Pacific;

    2. Discuss the gaps and opportunities for strengthening the operations and provision of services by the NMHSs, and their role in contributing to resilient development; and

    3. Provide political support and direction for the development of the National Meteorological Services;

    4. Consider a Pacific Hydromet/Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Sustainable Maintenance Facility.

DURATION AND FORMAT

  1. PMMM-4 will be a one-day ministerial meeting. The Government of Tonga and SPREP will host a briefing for Ministers on the15th of September including the official opening. The PMMM-4 will commence with the dedication of the meeting, designation of the Chair and adoption of the agenda and programme of work. Presentations will be followed by interventions, statements and discussions by Ministers.

  2. The programme will address progress under previous ministerial outcomes; meteorological services supporting the Blue Pacific agenda; sustainable weather, climate, water and ocean services; national NMHS priorities; the state of the climate and El Niño; and adoption of the Matatoa Ministerial Declaration. 

  3. The Provisional Agenda provides the detailed programme.

THE RISK ISSUES THAT IMPEDE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT IN PACIFIC ISLAND COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES

  1. Pacific Island Countries and Territories remain highly exposed to weather, climate, water and ocean-related hazards that can undermine lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, natural resources, public services and development gains. Accurate, timely and accessible forecasts, warnings and climate information are therefore essential for preparedness, decision-making and early action.

  2. NMHSs face continuing pressures to maintain operations, modernise infrastructure, retain skilled personnel and translate scientific information into practical services. Sustainable national investment and long-term regional and international support are necessary to maintain reliable services and protect the value of existing investments.

  3. The operation and maintenance of observing stations, telecommunications, instruments, data systems and early warning infrastructure remain major regional concerns. PMMM-4 will consider the proposed Pacific Hydromet/Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Sustainable Maintenance Facility as a mechanism to support maintenance, calibration, replacement, technical assistance and recurrent financing.

  4. Regional Meteorological Centres of Excellence, including the Pacific Regional Climate Centre (RCC) Network, Regional Training Centre and Regional Instrument Centre, provide specialised climate services, training, technical standards, instrument calibration and regional cooperation. Strengthening these centres will complement national capacity and improve the quality and consistency of services.

  5. Ministers have a critical role in ensuring that NMHSs have appropriate mandates, resources and institutional support; that weather and climate information is integrated into government and sectoral planning; and that climate outlooks, including information on El Niño, lead to timely preparedness, coordination and action.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  1. The following documents will provide additional information for PMMM-4:

  • PMMM-4 Provisional Agenda and Explanatory Note;

  • PMC-8 outcomes and recommendations;

  • Overview of the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy 2027–2036 and supporting implementation documents;

  • Weather Ready Pacific Programme overview;

  • Nuku’alofa Ministerial Declaration (2015), Honiara Ministerial Statement (2017) and Namaka Ministerial Declaration (2023); and

  • Draft Matatoa Ministerial Declaration.

 

PMMM-4 Power Point and Working Paper Template

PMMM-4 pptx Template

 

PMMM-4 Presentation Template (Click image below to download)

 

Working Paper PMMM-4

 

Working Paper Template  (Click image below to download)

 

 

Provisional Agenda

Provisional Agenda for the PMMM-4

Hosted by the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga

Theme: Weather Ready for a Secured and Sustainable Pacific 

Anasitasisi Hall I Nuku’alofa, Tonga | 16 September 2026

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08:30am - 09:00am : ARRIVAL OF DIGNITARIES 

09:00am - 09:20am: Agenda Item 1: ORGANISATION OF THE FOURTH PACIFIC MINISTERIAL MEETING ON METEOROLOGY (PMMM-4) 

           1.1 Dedication of Meeting (Government of the Kingdom of Tonga) 

           1.2 Designation of Chair for PMMM-4 (Chair of PMMM-3) 

           (New Chair of the PMMM-4 to assume role of Chair) 

           1.3 Adoption of Agenda and Program of Work (New Chair of PMMM-4) 

09:20am – 10:00am: Agenda Item 2: PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE NAMAKA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION AND PREVIOUS MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS 

2.1 Update on the achievements of the Nuku’alofa Ministerial Declaration (2015), Honiara Ministerial Statement (2017) and Namaka Declaration (2023) – Video  

Discussions/Interventions/statements from Ministers 

2.2 Outcomes from the Eighth Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-8) Meeting (PMC Chair)  

Discussions/Interventions/statements from Ministers

           2.3 WMO Executive and RA-V Supporting the Region (WMO)

Discussions/Interventions/statements from Ministers

10:00am - 10:30am:  BREAK: GROUP PHOTO and MORNING TEA 

10:30am - 11:30am: Agenda Item 3: METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES SUPPORTING THE BLUE PACIFIC AGENDA 

3.1 Pacific Island Met Strategy 2027-2036 to support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent 

Discussions/Interventions/Statements from Ministers

3.2 Overview, progress and update of the Weather Ready Pacific Programme 

Discussions/Interventions/Statements from Ministers

 11:30am - 12:30pm: Agenda Item 4: SUSTAINABILITY OF WEATHER, CLIMATE. WATER, OCEANS SERVICES FOR A SAFE, SECURE AND PROSPEROUS PACIFIC 

4.1 Regional Meteorological Centers of Excellence   

Discussions/Interventions/statements from Ministers.

          4.2 Enhancement and Efficiency of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services 

Discussions/Interventions/statements from Ministers

4.3 Pacific Hydromet/ Multi Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS)

Sustainable Maintenance Facility 

Discussions/Interventions/statements from Ministers

12:30pm - 01:30pm: BREAK: LUNCH                              

01:30pm - 02:30pm: Agenda Item 5: DISCUSSIONS, COMMENTS FROM MINISTERS 

5.1 Discussions and Comments from Ministers on priorities of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services. 

02:30pm - 03:00pm: Agenda Item 6: METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES SUPPORTING PACIFIC COMMUNITIES 

               6.1 State of the Climate and El Nino in the Pacific (SPREP/RCC) 

    Discussions/Interventions/statements from Ministers 

03:00pm – 03:30pm:   BREAK: AFTERNOON TEA 

03:30pm – 05:00pm: Agenda Item 7: ADOPTION OF THE MATATOA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION 

05:00pm – 05:10pm: Agenda Item 8: CLOSING OF MEETING             

06:00pm – 09:00pm: Closing Reception by the Government of Tonga (at the Likualofa)