SOFF Investments in the Pacific Strengthen Data Foundation Underpinning Early Warning Systems
The Systematic Observing Financial Facility (SOFF) co-created by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UN Environment Programme and UN Development Programme is supporting Pacific island countries to close the climate and weather data gap in a Global Basic Observing Network (GBON). With the objective to discuss opportunities and needs in the region, the SOFF together with the Government of Fiji hosted a Pacific Regional Workshop for the Pacific in Nadi, Fiji from 10 to 12 April 2024.
Mr. ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, President of WMO Regional Association V (South-West Pacific) welcomed the participants to the workshop. Mr. Fa’anunu reminded the workshop’s participants of the importance of high-quality accurate weather and climate data. “High quality climate and weather data leads to high quality weather and climate prediction for early warning system and leads to safeguarding of lives” he says.
Mr. Amit Singh, Acting Director of Fiji Meteorological Service extended a warm welcome to everyone to Fiji and to the workshop. “This event is very important because SOFF will support countries with the most severe shortfalls in observations, to close significant climate and weather data gaps within the RA V Region. I would like to convey our special thanks and sincere appreciation to the World Meteorological Organisation and the SOFF WMO for allowing the Fiji Met services and the Fiji Government to co-partner with you in hosting the WMO SOFF Pacific Regional Workshop here at Nadi today”.
The workshop has brought together Pacific island countries’ representatives from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS), regional organizations, development partners, UN agencies, WMO and SOFF Secretariat to discuss progress and opportunities for regional approaches in developing basic observations and in connecting initiatives to provide early warnings that make a difference locally. Thirteen Pacific island countries are receiving SOFF support: Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The impacts of climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events result in the loss of assets and lives across the Pacific. Increasing the amount and the quality of investment on adaptation requires high quality weather forecasts and climate prediction to be available everywhere. SOFF investments aim to support countries with long term sustainable weather and climate observations and information requires to take effective, efficient, and timely action in the face of climate change.
Currently twelve Pacific countries have received preparatory support from SOFF and two countries have been approved for investment funding projects that will build the capacity to take and share observations. The outcomes of the workshop will include priorities for financing SOFF investments in the region.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...
