Weather Ready Pacific Steering Committee meets in Tonga to strengthen delivery across the Pacific

Pacific meteorological leaders, development partners and regional organisations met in Tonga on 15 September, 2026 for the Weather Ready Pacific (WRP)’s Fifth Steering Committee Meeting (SCM-5), reaffirming their commitment to strengthening weather, climate and early warning services across the Pacific. The meeting follows the conclusion of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) meeting from 10-14 September.

The one-day meeting brought together members of the WRP Steering Committee and key partners to review progress under the regional programme and guide priorities for the next stage of implementation. On agenda was the approval of the updated WRP Implementation Plan and funded Work Plan 2026-2029.

The meeting comes as WRP, implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), continues its work to strengthen Pacific National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and improve access to reliable weather, climate, water and early warning information.

“The WRP Steering Committee plays an important role in providing strategic direction and ensuring programme delivery remains aligned with the priorities of Pacific countries and territories,” said Ms Rossy Mitiepo, Director of Niue Meteorological Services and Chair of the WRP Steering Committee.

“The Steering Committee Meeting took place right after the Pacific Met Council was strategic, and to ensure country priorities coming out of PMC requiring immediate attention are addressed to better support out Pacific Countries and Territories.”

At the previous meeting, SCM4, members had highlighted the need to accelerate implementation while ensuring investments lead to practical, sustainable outcomes. The update of the WRP Implementation Plan and funded Work Plan 2026-2029 was therefore welcomed and approved at the SCM5.

“Since our Fourth Steering Committee Meeting held in Honiara in June, we have continued advancing implementation and regional coordination, including governance reforms to improve effectiveness and efficiency. For SPREP and Weather Ready Pacific, our focus remains on ensuring these investments contribute to systems that are owned by countries, supported by the region effectively and able to deliver lasting benefits for Pacific communities,” said Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, WRP Programme Manager.

WRP is a Pacific-led and Pacific-owned decadal Programme of Investment endorsed by Pacific Leaders. It aims to reduce the human and economic costs of severe weather, water and ocean events by strengthening NMHSs and their partnerships with National Disaster Management Offices and other development sectors.

With an estimated investment of around USD 191 million over the decade, WRP provides an important foundation for strengthening the systems, infrastructure, skills and partnerships needed to deliver effective early warnings across the region.

The Fifth Steering Committee Meeting was held following the Eighth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting (PMC-8), and ahead of the Fourth Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM-4).

Together, these meetings provide an important opportunity for Pacific countries, partners and leaders to strengthen coordination and ensure regional investments respond to national priorities and contribute to a safer and more resilient Blue Pacific.

For more information, please contact:
Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Manager, WRP Programme - [email protected] 
Ms Angelica Salele-Sefo, Communications & Knowledge Management Officer, WRPP – [email protected]