In a move to strengthen climate resilience across Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Secretariat of the  Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through its European Union (EU)- funded  Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) project, organised for representatives of the Pacific Regional Climate Centre – Network (RCC-N), consisting of the Bureau of Meteorology – Australia, Pacific Community (SPC), SPREP, and  other Pacific Regional Centres at the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) to attend a week and a half long meeting with the Caribbean I

The journey of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) Vaka continues, with the 5th meeting of the PMC (PMC-5), under the theme of “Science to Services for a Resilient Pacific”, officially commencing this morning in Apia, Samoa. 

The first ever ‘Tanoa Session’ bringing together Pacific National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), key donors, partners, and the private sector working in climate and weather services, was held on yesterday, Tuesday 6 August in Apia, Samoa.

“Science to services for a resilient Pacific” is the theme of the Fifth Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-5) opening this week in Apia, Samoa. The meeting will bring together Pacific Met Directors, partners and stakeholders to strengthen climate and weather services in the Pacific region.

2 August 2019, Apia, Samoa - “We do not need to ‘dumb down’ our terminology and language. What we need to do is to raise people’s understanding of that language.” 

This was one of the messages shared during the first day of Mana classes for Meteorological Service Directors and officers, which is taking place in Apia, Samoa 

The Mana Classes aim to support Directors and other senior personnel of Meteorological and Hydrological Services in their endeavour for effective communications skills.

In the effort to build a resilient Pacific island region, countries and partners across the region are dealing with a need for new analysis and guidance for climate projections. These tools will help them better deal with climatic disruptions and events. 

To grapple with these issues and build on lessons learned from the Pacific-Australia Climate Change Science and Adaptation Planning (PACCSAP) is the ‘Next Generation Climate Projections for the Pacific.’ (Next Gen)

The Vanuatu Klaemaet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (Van KIRAP) project held its third Steering Committee (Van-KIRAP SC-3) Meeting on 28 May 2019 at the Melanesia Hotel, Port Vila, Vanuatu.

By: Joshua Lafoai*  (Pacific Media Council - Media Training, Honiara, Solomon Islands)

A meteorology expert for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (S.P.R.E.P.) says meteorological services are under-appreciated in the Pacific. 

Lagomauitumua Sunny Seuseu is the Climate Predictions Services Coordinator for S.P.R.E.P in Samoa.

By: Joshua Lafoai - (Honiara, Solomon Islands)

The traditional knowledge is being used by Meteorology experts to better understand weather patterns in the region.

Traditional knowlege is being collected, stored and verified as part of a project by Met services in the pacific along with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (S.P.R.E.P).

By Linny Folau in Honiara

Meteorological services in the Pacific Islands have common challenges, and these will be discussed at the Fourth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting in Honiara next week.

In Honiara, ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Director of Tonga Met and Pacific Meteorological Council Chair said the meeting is a chance for meteorological services to come together and discuss their priorities and challenges.