20th July 2016 “No sector is free from the influence of the weather and climate”. That was the Statement of the CEO for MEIDECC, Paula Ma’u at the opening of a one day consultation workshop with Government Agencies this morning speaking from the NEMO Conference Centre at MEIDECC headquarters in Nuku’alofa. Mr Ma’u added that “with new functions now required of the Meteorological Service, it is now recognized that the existing legislation and policy frameworks that governs Meteorology work in Tonga is no longer adequate to cater for needs of the Meteorology Department. Traditionally, the Met Service has operated mainly under the auspices of the Civil Aviation Act as well as the Emergency Management Act. The time is now ripe for the Met Service to have it own policy and legislation.” His Majesty’s Cabinet earlier in June 2016 had approved the drafting of the Meteorology Policy Framework and a Meteorology Bill.
Since Meteorological Observations first began in 1928 the Meteorological Service has undergone numerous stages of change. From the beginning up to about 8years ago, the primary function of the National Met Service was to collect, record and disseminate Tongan weather observations as well as relay weather forecasts and warnings for Tonga produced either in Fiji or New Zealand. Since 2004, the Government has established its own Tsunami Warning Centre for Tonga within the National Met Service as well as a Weather Forecasting and Severe weather Warning centre in 2007 and a Climate Centre in 2008 serving the Kingdoms needs for meteorological and oceanographic services in support of Tonga’s main economic sectors as well as supporting safety and security of people and property. Now, with more and more disasters year in and year out occurring from climate changed induced extreme weather and climate events the role of the Met Service has become extremely important.
With Climate change now threatening livelihoods of Small Islands States, Government has now realized that having a robust Meteorological Service is vital for the development of Tonga. Just last month, Government in partnership with the World Bank Launched a USD$16.7M Resilience Project to Build Tonga’s Resilience to Disasters. USD$11.5M of this Project is allocated to Strengthening of Early Warning Systems and Preparedness. It includes building new Joint NEMO/Met Service facilities in Tongatapu and the other islands, upgrade to communications systems, capacity building and institutional strengthening.
The CEO for MEIDECC thanked all the Ministries and Departments invited to join these consultations today and stressed “Everyone has a responsibility both in disaster management, early warning and preparedness. Everyone present here has a hand in building resilience not only for today’s needs but for future generations. I invite you all to actively share your ideas and experiences to ensure we have a robust meteorology framework which can help us improve our quality of life through improved economic activities as well as reduce vulnerabilities and our risk to meteorological and oceanographic influences.”
The workshop is the first of two 1 day workshops being held this week by MEIDECC to develop Tonga’s Meteorology Policy Framework. The second being the same consultation with the members of the private sector and non-Government agencies which will be held tomorrow at the same venue.
The workshops are hosted by MEIDECC with funding support from the Australia Funded Climate and Oceans Science Program for the Pacific (COSPPAC) Project.
The draft Meteorology Policy Framework and Bill will be submitted to both Cabinet and Parliament respectively later in the year for consideration towards the later quarter of 2016.
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
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Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications