Climate Change Resilience
24 July, 2015, Nuku’alofa, Tonga - The very first Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology opened today in Tonga, following on from the Third Pacific Meteorological Council which came to an end yesterday evening. The Ministerial event was opened by the HRH Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala.
“Having a robust Weather Service is no longer a luxury for us but an obligation. Quality weather and climate information is now a requirement to help us adapt, reduce risk and build resilience against climate and weather related hazards. This is of fundamental importance to all our Governments,” said His Royal Highness as he addressed the Pacific Meteorological Ministers from across the region.
His Royal Highness Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala of the Kingdom of Tonga
“I encourage you to work together and find common ground to support Meteorological Services in our region as a means of building resilience by committing national resources and working with our development partners to mobilise the necessary resources needed.”
The one day Pacific Ministers Meeting on Meteorology is chaired by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications of the Government of Tonga – Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni.
He stressed the importance of this meeting and the difference that can be made through working together, quoting Henry Ford – ‘Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success’.
“I do not have any doubt that if we invest more in weather and climate services, we will make our Pacific communities more resilient, and in turn reduce our losses from disasters and more importantly save lives,” stated the Acting Prime Minister.
The one day agenda covers Meteorology supporting sustainable development in the Pacific, multi-hazard early warning systems and; climate services.
At the opening today the work of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), host of the Pacific Met Desk Partnership was outlined in a statement by Director-General, Mr. David Sheppard.
“Climate change and meteorology is one of SPREP’s four work pillars. In fact SPREP has had a climate change programme for more than 25 years in the Pacific region – long before climate change was a household word,” said Mr. Sheppard.
“Meteorology is critically important for our Pacific countries and impacts across all sectors and communities, and is essential for sustainable development in our region. We at SPREP are proud to be part of this crucial and valuable function.”
Pacific Meteorological Ministers with His Royal Highness Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala of the Kingdom of Tonga
Key partner of the Pacific Meteorological Council, the World Meteorological Organization stressed that their highest priority is to help strengthen the capacities of the Pacific National Met Services, during the opening ceremony today. WMO believe the Pacific National Met Services are critical actors in supporting the sustainable and resilient development of their countries.
“Through this and future meetings and mechanisms, Ministers responsible for meteorology in the Pacific, together with SPREP and WMO working in close partnership, are raising the visibility and relevance of meteorology in the national and regional development agendas and sustaining support to ensure these vital services” stated Dr. Elena Manaenkova, Assistant Secretary General of WMO.
Work being done across the region to strengthen Met Services so they help reduce the vulnerability of Pacific island communities is underway through a project funded by the Government of Finland. Implemented by SPREP with the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the project aims at building the capacity of the Met Services as well as helping to enhance communications so the Met Service information is clearly communicated, and understood.
“The met-services of Pacific islands are overwhelmed by the need to respond to a number of policy issues and operational requirements ranging from tropical cyclones, climate variability, climate monitoring, climate change, provision of routine weather information including forecasts, and meeting the needs of several economic sectors,” presented Dr. Matti Nummelin, Senior Environment Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland during today’s opening ceremony.
“Finland understands these concerns as its own part tries to support small island developing states. The ongoing FINPAC project executed by SPREP together with FMI is one example of this.”
The one day meeting aims to conclude with the endorsement of the Nuku’alofa Declaration from the Pacific Ministers.
More news and coverage of the Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology will be shared by the Pacific Media Team covering the one day event.