27th March, 2019 The Minister for MEIDECC Honourable Poasi Tei opened the first Users Climate Outlook Forum for Tonga at the National Reserve Bank’s conference room this morning.
The meeting aims to link climate information generated by Tonga Meteorological Service with stakeholders and users of climate information to improve the application of climate information particularly the seasonal climate outlooks.
Hon Tei said the “Government is investing over $40 million pa’anga over the next five years to improve multi hazard early warning systems. Improving climate services is part of this investment.”
He stated that the forum “is an excellent opportunity for all sectors and users of climate information to exchange views with the Met Office” to identify what works and what does not work and to decide on what climate products to enhance.
The forum is expected to:
- Provide tailored climate information for stakeholders on a regular basis in a user friendly manner
- Promote the use of seasonal climate information to mitigate the risks in climate-sensitive sectors such as health, energy, water resources, disaster and agricultural sectors
- Improve users understanding of climate information provided by TMS
- Document users’ needs and requirements by collecting feedbacks from the participants during the forum
- Identify gaps in climate services and provide possible solutions to address them
- Sustain partnership between climate service providers
Spokesperson from the Meteorology Department of the Ministry of MEIDECC who are hosting the event and Acting Director of Meteorology, Mr. Moleni Tu’uholoaki reported:
“This event is the first of its kind to be held in Tonga with the kind funding support of the World Meteorological Organization and the Government of Canada. As you know, Government is investing a considerable about of resources in the next 5 years in upgrading Multi-Hazard Early Warning Infrastructure as well as strengthening the capacity of the local institutions to better provide warning services to the entire country. These upgrades include upgrades to the provision of Climate Services in which we are partnering with the World Meteorological Organization to deliver. Climate Services involve the more long term forecasts of more than 2 weeks predictions to seasonal predictions, drought and El Nino monitoring. The aim of the 2 day Forum is to bring together the main users of climate information to discuss the climate products that the Meteorological Department is currently providing and to find ways on how to better these products as well as to look at more appropriate delivery mechanisms. It is an exciting time for us and we look forward to come concrete outcomes that will make a difference in building the resilience of our communities and our development sectors to extreme climate events.
The forum is part of the World Meteorological Organization program for implementing the Global Framework for Climate Services at the national and regional scale.
Participants include representatives from line ministries and the private sector, district and town officers including representatives from the outer islands and representatives from the main climate sensive Sectors in Tonga.
ENDS
For further information please contact the Meteorology Division on 35355 or metstaff@met.gov.to. More information is also available at www.met.gov.to