World Meteorological OrganizationREGIONAL ASSOCIATION V (SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC)Seventeenth SessionNuku’alofa, Tonga, 15 to 17 October 2018

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1)Submitted by:

Secretary-General15.X.2018

REPORT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. This report covers the period from the sixteenth session of the Association (May 2014) to September 2018.

Members of the Association

2. The number of Members of the Association has remained at 23.

Officers of the Association

3. Dr Andi Eka Sakya (Indonesia) and Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu (Tonga) served as president and vice-president of the Association, respectively. They conducted the affairs of the Association with dedication, enthusiasm and initiative, thus contributing to the further development of weather, climate and water services in the Region.

Subsidiary bodies of the Association

4. At its sixteenth session, the Association re-established the Management Group, four working groups: Working Group on Weather Services (WG-WXS); Working Group on Climate Services (WG-CLS); Working Group on Hydrological Services (WG-HYS); and Working Group on Infrastructure (WG-INFR) and RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean (TCC).

5. The Management Group, working groups and TCC worked satisfactorily. The leads of the working groups and chair of TCC provided the final reports on the activities of the RA V subsidiary bodies during the intersessional period. The report is given in RA V-17/INF. 2.1(2).

6. The following meetings of RA V subsidiary bodies were held during this intersessional period:

(a) Management Group Meetings: Eleventh session: 7 May 2014, Jakarta, Indonesia Twelfth session: 23 June 2014, Geneva, Switzerland Thirteenth session: 29 May 2015, Geneva, Switzerland Fourteenth session: 17 June 2016, Geneva, Switzerland Fifteenth session: 12 May 2017, Geneva, Switzerland Sixteenth session: 23 June 2018, Geneva, Switzerland Seventeenth session: 16–17 September 2018, Jakarta, Indonesia

(b) Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean: Sixteenth session: 29 August–2 September 2016, back to back with the meeting

of RSMT SWFDDP, 25–27 August 2016 in Honiara, Solomon Islands; Seventeenth session: 23–26 July 2018, , back to back with the meeting of RSMT

SWFDDP, 27–28 July 2018 in Noumea, New Caledonia;

(c) Working Group on Hydrological Services: 9–13 November 2015, Brisbane, Australia;

(d) Working Group on Weather Services: 11 August 2017, Honiara, Solomon Islands;

(e) Working Group on Climate Services: 2–4 February 2016, Singapore;

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 2

(f) Working Group on Infrastructure: 7–9 November 2017, Singapore, and regular meetings via tele-video conference;

(g) RA V Working Group Leads and Tropical Cyclone Committee Chair’s meeting: 28 –30 November 2017, Jakarta, Indonesia;

Major activities and achievements

7. The Regional Forum for Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in Regional Association V was held in Nadi, Fiji, from 28 to 30 October 2015. The Forum adopted recommendations that will contribute to better weather, climate and water services for sustainable development in the Region, particularly focusing on: response to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR); implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and establishment of Regional Climate Centre (RCC) networks; resolving deficiencies in aviation safety and services; implementation of the Programme for WMO Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Member Island Territories; and partnership and cooperation for capacity development;

8. The Regional Forum on Meteorological Services for Aviation Safety in Southeast Asia was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 29 to 30 April 2015. The Forum adopted “Jakarta Recommendations on Regional Cooperation for Enhancing Meteorological Services for International Air Navigation by the WMO Member States in Southeast Asia”. In response to the Recommendations, a SIGMET coordination pilot project was conducted in Southeast Asia from October 2016 to March 2017 with three target countries – Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. After successful implementation of the pilot phase, it transitioned to 24/7 operational SIGMET coordination on 1 August 2017;

9. The Joint RA II/RA V Workshop on WIGOS for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 12–14 October 2015;

10. Pacific Small Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) in RA V contributed to the planning of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) activities including the development of the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy 2017–2026 and the Pacific Roadmap for Strengthened Climate Services 2017–2026, for alignment with the WMO Strategic Plan and the Global Framework for Climate Service (GCFS), and actively participated in the following events:

(a) The Third Session of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-3)(Nuku’alofa, Tonga 20–24 July 2015) and the Fourth Session of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-4) and the Second Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM-2)(Honiara, Solomon Islands, 14–18 August 2017);

(b) Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) Panels:

(i) RA V Pacific Islands Regional Climate Centre (PI-RCC) has been discussed through the PMC Panel for Climate Services and the PI-RCC Implementation Plan was endorsed by PMC-4.

(ii) PICTs’ NMHSs implementation and compliance with the International Organization of Standards (ISO) 9001: 2015 standards and Annex 3 of ICAO Convention and, competency of Aeronautical Meteorological Observers and Forecasters, all discussed through the PMC Panel for Aviation Weather Services.

(iii) Feasibility study for a Pacific based WMO Regional Training Centre, discussed by the PMC Panel for Education, Training and Research.

(iv) The concept note for a second phase of Pacific-HYCOS has been discussed and promoted through the PMC Panel for Hydrology.

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 3

(v) Coordination, collaboration and discussion between NMHSs and Telecommunication Authorities through the PMC Panel for Communication and Infrastructure.

(vi) Discussing strategic ways to assist PICTs’ NMHSs to meet their obligations under SOLAS through the PMC Panel for Marine and Ocean Services.

11. Decisions to advance the implementation of service delivery component of the SWFDDP were made at the SWFDDP – South Pacific Project Meeting of the regional Sub Project management Team (Noumea, New Caledonia, 27–28 July 2018). The areas included: Impact-Based Forecast and Warnings Services (IBFWS); developing the competence to issue warnings in the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) format; engaging fully and actively with the WMO Register of Alerting Authorities; and contributing to the Severe Weather Information Centre (SWIC) and the World Weather Information System (WWIS);

12. The Eleventh Southern Hemisphere Training Course on Tropical Cyclones and Workshop on Public Weather Service (Melbourne, Australia, 5–16 October 2015); and the Twelfth Southern Hemisphere Training Course on Tropical Cyclones and Workshop on Public Weather Service (Nadi, Fiji, 14–22 September 2017);

13. The CAP Jump Start training workshops for RA V (click here for Fiji and here for the summary of the islands) in which country teams were trained on the basics of CAP as well as the technical aspects of CAP were conducted. In each island, about 15 to 25 participants were trained and they included forecasters, disaster management and IT people. The training workshops were conducted as follows: Palau (4–5 July 2017); Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, 7 July 2017) and (Phonpei, 11–12 July 2017); Fiji, (18–19 July 2017); Tuvalu (25–26 July 2017); Niue (2–3 August 2017); and Nauru (10–11 August 2017). A Television Weather Presenter Training Workshop was conducted for the staff of Fiji Meteorological Service (Nadi, Fiji, 18–22 September 2017);

14. Capacity development activities were actively conducted through extra-budgetary resources mainly through the voluntary contributions from WMO Members and projects:

(a) The Finnish-Pacific (FINPAC) Project on 'Reduced vulnerability of Pacific island country villagers livelihoods to the effects of climate change' contributed to the capacity development of the NMHSs of the Pacific SIDS Members and also to develop appropriate plans to address climate change and disasters in the Pacific. The FINPAC Project was officially concluded on 31 December 2016;

(b) The Project on “Building resilience to high-impact hydro-meteorological events through strengthening Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) in Pacific SIDS” is being implemented with funds provided to WMO by the Government of Canada as its contribution to the Climate Risk and Early Warning System (CREWS) initiative, which in turn leverages additional resources through the CREWS Multi-Donor Trust Fund to strengthen MHEWS in the Region;

(c) The CREWS MDTF further support the project “Weather and Climate Early Warning System for Papua New Guinea”, approved in November 2017;

(d) The “Coastal Inundation Forecasting Demonstration Project’ is being implemented in both Fiji and Indonesia, by WMO (JCOMM and CHy). For CIFDP-Fiji, funding is provided by the Republic of Korea (Korea Meteorological Administration, KMA) and technical support is being provided from partners including the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Environment Canada, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Pacific Community (SPC), New Zealand’s Climate, Freshwater and Ocean Science Centre (NIWA). For CIFDP-Indonesia, the BMKG have self-funded with support from WMO. Technical support is being provided from BMKG, Environment Canada, Deltares (The Netherlands), Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), New Zealand’s Climate, Freshwater and Ocean Science Centre (NIWA), United Kingdom’s MetOffice, and

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 4

National Oceanography Centre. Both CIFDP-Fiji and Indonesia are entering their pre-operational testing and technical capacity building phases, with expected completion in 2019;

(e) The Severe Weather Forecasting and Disaster risk reduction Demonstration Project (SWFDDP) continued successfully in demonstration phase, meeting the need of participating countries. It still needs to identify the Regional entity to take on responsibility so the project could move to operational phase;

(f) The “Programme on the Implementation of GFCS at Regional and National Scales” with support from the Government of Canada, and implemented in the Pacific SIDS with collaboration with SPREP provided support to GFCS-related activities;

(g) A Green Climate Fund (GCF) project funding proposal for “Enhancing EWS to Build Better Resilience to Hydro-meteorological Hazards in Pacific SIDS” for five SIDS Members (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Vanuatu) is currently under development;

(h) HimawariCast receiving and processing systems were installed in the Pacific Members (Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga and Tuvalu) through the WMO/JMA HimawariCast Project;

(i) A workshop on Advancing Groundwater Monitoring in Pacific SIDS was held in Fiji in September 2016, jointly organized by IGRAC and WMO, with the support of SPC and SPREP. It gathered 25 participants from 11 countries to review the state of groundwater resources and monitoring in their countries and to learn on groundwater monitoring and assessment techniques;

(j) A nine-week Distance Learning Course for Field Hydrology Technicians was held from May to July 2017, jointly organized by WMO, NIWA and COMET. Ten participants completed the course where they learned to perform measurements and system maintenance for streamflow equipment and rain gauges;

(k) Training on National Multi-Hazards Early Warning System with Geospatial Applications for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development for 12 participants from 6 Pacific Island Countries (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Island, Tonga, Vanuatu) was held in Indonesia from 10 July to 2 August 2017. The training was followed up with the technical assistance in implementing the Pilot Project Plan developed by each participants from 3 selected countries (Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu); The training was held under the project funded by the Government of Japan in collaboration with Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG) and Pacific organizations such as Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SRPEP) under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) with the support from WMO;

(l) OSCAR/Surface Training Course for RA V Members was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 18 - 20 September 2018 in collaboration between WMO, MeteoSwiss, and the Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics of the Republic of Indonesia (BMKG);

15. Refinement and implementation of the RA V Operating Plan 2016–2019 was made, and guidance for the regional priorities and the future working mechanism of the Association was provided;

16. There has been progress in the development of National Strategic Plan and Legislative Framework for RA V Pacific Islands Members. The number of Members with National Strategic and Implementation Plan increased from two to three for the last fiscal period

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 5

and three more Members are planning or under preparation of National Strategic Plans, and the number of meteorological bills increased from two to four and two more Members are preparing for the legislative framework (see Annex I);

17. Meeting of RA II WIGOS Project and Coordination Meeting of RA V Task Team on Satellite Utilization in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 11 October 2018 back to back with Ninth Asia/Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-9);

18. Southeastern Asia-Oceania Flash Flood Guidance (SAOFFG) project is underway for Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, and Timor-Leste. The purpose of this project is the development and implementation of regional flash flood guidance and early warning systems. The approach will entail development of regional technology, training, protocols and procedures to address the issues of mitigating the impacts of flash floods and the application of such a system allowing the provision of critical and timely information by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of the participating countries;

19. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Sub-Committee on Meteorology and Geophysics comprising the National Meteorological Services of ASEAN member countries endorsed ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF) in July 2013, an RCOF cutting across two WMO Regional Associations, RA II and RA V.  ASEANCOF sessions are being regularly held since 2013 twice a year, with one of them in virtual form through email/teleconference and the other as a physical session;

20. Singapore Cooperation Programme on "Management Programme for National Meteorological and Hydro Services" was held by the Government of Singapore in collaboration with WMO in Singapore, on 10–14 September 2018.

A list of events is given in the Annex II.

WMO Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific and the WMO Office for South-West Pacific

21. The Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific, which moved from the WMO headquarters in Geneva to Singapore in September 2018, has been providing effective support to NMHSs in their efforts to enhance their services as well as to the president, vice-president and subsidiary bodies of the Association in discharging their responsibilities;

22. The WMO Office for South-West Pacific, located in Apia, Samoa has been facilitating implementation of WMO regional events, maintaining close contact with Members, providing support to meet requirements of Members in the Region and also to address WMO cross-cutting programmes with relevant regional organizations;

23. The Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific and the WMO Office for South-West Pacific have played an important role in various regional activities including the support for the president.

Missions of the president

24. In his capacity as the president of RA V, Dr Andi Eka Sakya attended the seventeenth World Meteorological Congress (Geneva, 2015) and the sessions of the Executive Council (Geneva, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018) as well as the Financial Advisory Committee and the WMO Bureau, the Meetings of Presidents of Regional Associations and joint Meetings of the Presidents of Regional Associations and Presidents of Technical Commissions (2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018). He also presided over MG meetings and Regional Forum.

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 6

Challenges and future priorities

25. A survey was conducted to identify challenges and future priorities in the region in August 2018. The RA V Members were asked to identify the most pressing challenges from a list of 16 predefined categories by rating the extent of the challenge. The survey identified the most serious challenges for RA V among others as follows:

(1) Adequacy of NWP modelling capacity; (2) Lack of qualified personnel in some areas; (3) Budget - anticipated cuts; (4) Adequacy of hydrology services; (5) Relationship with private sector;(6) Adequacy of marine services.

26. An analysis for subregions (Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands) were also made, and serious challenges identified in those subregions were:

– Southeast Asia(1) Adequacy of NWP modelling capacity;(2) Budget - anticipated cuts;(3) Lack of qualified personnel in some areas;(4) Visibility towards the decision makers needs to be improved;(4) Adequacy of agriculture services;(4) Adequacy of marine services.

– Pacific Islands(1) Adequacy of NWP modelling capacity;(2) Lack of qualified personnel in some areas;(3) Adequacy of hydrology services;(4) Budget - anticipated cuts;(4) Adequacy of marine services;(6) Adequacy of the existing observing systems.

27. Respondents were also asked to identify up to six priority areas from a list of 11 pre-identified categories for future work to help address the challenges identified above. The identified specific regional priorities for RA V among others include:

(1) Forecast and EWS;(2) Capacity building;(3) Aviation services; (4) Financial Support; (5) Climate services & GFCS; (6) WIGOS.

28. An analysis for the same subregions was also undertaken and the following subregional priorities were identified.

– Southeast Asia(1) Forecast and EWS;(2) Capacity building;(3) Climate services & GFCS;(4) Aviation services;(5) WIGOS;(6) Financial Support.

– Pacific Islands(1) Capacity building;(2) Forecast and EWS;

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(3) Financial Support;(4) Aviation services;(5) Climate services & GFCS;(6) QMS.

29. A survey report with detailed data is given as Annex III.

Acknowledgements

30. The president of the Association would like to express his appreciation and gratitude to all those who have contributed to the work of the Association. Particular thanks are due to the vice-president, Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, and the leads, vice-leads of RA V Working Groups and chairperson of TCC. Thanks are due to the Members of the Association who have hosted various meetings, conferences and training events during the intersessional period;

31. The president would also like to express his deep gratitude and appreciation to the Secretary-General of WMO and to the Secretariat, in particular the Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific and the WMO Office for South-West Pacific, for their valuable supports and advice in the work of the Association.

__________

Annexes: 3

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 8

Annex I

National Strategic Plan and Legislative Framework for RA V Pacific Islands Members: 2014-2018

2014 2018 SummaryNational Strategic and Implementation Plan

National Strategic and Implementation Plan for Meteorological Services are incorporated in the mother Ministries or Department in most Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

Two National Meteorological Services have National Strategic Plan:

(i) Vanuatu: Meteorology and Geo-Hazard Department Strategic Plan (2013-2022) endorsed in 2014.

(ii) Kiribati: Meteorological Service Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan (2013-2018) completed in 2013.

Vanuatu: Meteorology and Geo-Hazard Department Strategic Plan (2013-2022)

Kiribati: Meteorological Service Strategic Plan and Implementation Plan (2013-2018) – To be reviewed under CREWS

Fiji: Meteorological Service’s Strategy Plan (under development), with funding support from WMO ECCC.

Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga and Tuvalu: Plans to develop National Strategic Plans with funding support from CREWS and ECCC.

Increasing from 2 NSPs to 3 NSPs (and likely to 6)

Meteorology Bill / Legislation

Solomon Islands: Meteorological Services Act No. 4 endorsed by National Parliament (1985)

Niue: Meteorological Act No 326 approved by the National Parliament (2013)

Vanuatu: Bill for Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Climate Change drafted and undergoing public awareness and consultation (2012)

Tonga: Bill for Meteorology initiated in consultation with WMO and undergoing discussions and consultations (August 2011 ~)

Vanuatu: Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Climate Change Act No. 25 approved by the National Parliament (Jan 2016)

Tonga: Meteorology Act No. 1 approved by the National Parliament and commencement (April 2017)

Fiji: Meteorological Service’s Bill (under discussion)

Solomon Islands: To update Meteorology Act No 4 Kiribati and Tuvalu: To draft Meteorology Bills

under CREWS

Increasing from 2 Meteorology Act to 4 (and likely to 6)

National Framework for Climate Services

No National Framework for Climate Services Vanuatu: National Framework for Climate Services approved (July 2016)

Fiji: National Framework for Climate Services (under development)

Increasing from none to 1 (and likely to 2)

____________

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 9

ANNEX II

A LIST OF EVENTS FROM JUNE 2014 TO 2018

Part I: WMO constituent body sessions and RA V Regional Conferences/Regional Seminars

Regional Forum for Directors of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in Regional Association V (South-West Pacific), Nadi, Fiji, 28–30 October 2015

Part II: RA V Subsidiary Body Meetings/Sessions

Twelfth session of RA V Management Group, Geneva, 23 June 2014 Thirteenth session of RA V Management Group, Geneva, 29 May 2015 RA V Working Group on Infrastructure/Joint RA II/V WIGOS Workshop, Jakarta, Indonesia,

12–14 October 2015 Working Group Leads/Vice Leads and TCC Chair’s Meeting on Strategic Planning in

Regional Association V (South-West Pacific), Nadi, Fiji, 31 October 2015 RA V Working Group on Hydrological Services, ninth session, Brisbane, Australia, 9–13

November 2015 Meeting of RA V Working Group on Climate Services, Singapore, 2–4 February 2016 Fourteenth session of RA V Management Group, Geneva, 17 June 2016 Sixteenth session of RA V Tropical Cyclones Committee, Honiara, Solomon Islands,

29 August–2 September 2016 RA V Working Group on Infrastructure (videoconference), 8 February and 8 March 2017 Fifteenth session of RA V Management Group, Geneva, 12 May 2017 Working Group on Weather Services (RA V WG-WXS), Honiara, Solomon Islands, 11

August 2017 Joint GCOS/WIGOS workshop for Pacific SIDS/LDCs, Nadi, Fiji, 9–12 October 2017 Working Group on Infrastructure (RA V WG-INFR), Singapore, 7–9 November 2017 Working Group Leads’ and Tropical Cyclone Committee Chair’s meeting, Jakarta,

Indonesia, 28–30 November 2017 Monthly meeting via video/tele-conference of RAV WG-INFR

Part III: Other Meetings, Workshops and Training Courses

The 3rd ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF), Singapore, 17–18 November 2014 Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, Apia, Samoa, 1–5

September 2014 Increasing the Resilience of Local Communities through Climate Information: Lessons

Learned from the Pacific Region, a Side Event during the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 1 September 2014

WMO Technical Discussion: Managing Tropical Cyclones from Cuba to Samoa, a Side Event during the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 1 September 2014

Strengthening Weather and Climate Services to Protect Small island Developing States, a Side Event during the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, 2 September 2014

Regional Training Workshop on Project Proposal Preparation for the Adaptation Fund, Apia, Samoa, 15–18 September 2014

Conference of the Parties to the Noumea Convention, Majuro, Marshall Islands, 25 September 2015

Conference of the Parties to the Waigani Convention, Majuro, Marshall Islands, 26 September 2015

Pacific Environment Forum, Majuro, Marshall Islands, Majuro, Marshall Islands, 29 September 2014

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Twenty-Fifth SPREP Meeting of Officials, Majuro, Marshall Islands, 30 September–2 October 2014

Environment Minister’s Session of the SPREP Meeting of Officials, Majuro, Marshall Islands, 3 October 2014

US NOAA South Pacific Region Training Needs Review Discussion, Nadi, Fiji, 19 January 2015

Regional Experts Roundtable on Climate Services for Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Security, Apia, Samoa, 23–24 February 2015

Joint Pacific United Nations Country Team (Fiji & Samoa) Operation Management Team Training on the United Nations Development Operation Coordination Office Business Operating Strategy, Suva, Fiji, 2–5 March 2015

Joint Pacific United Nations Country Team (Fiji & Samoa) Retreat, Suva, Fiji, 3–5 March 2015

First Papua New Guinea National Climate Outlook Forum, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, 26–27 March 2015

Regional Forum on Meteorological Services for Aviation Safety in Southeast Asia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 29–30 April 2015

Australian Government Funded Climate and Ocean Services Programme in the Pacific Planning and Steering Committee Meeting, Apia, Samoa, 4–6 May 2015

Second Meeting of the Pacific Islands Climate Services Panel, 7–8 May 2015, Apia, Samoa

Pacific Climate Change Roundtable, Apia, Samoa, 12–14 May 2015 Pacific Island Countries Preparatory Meeting for the Conference of the Parties to the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Apia, Samoa, 15 May 2015 The 4th ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF), Jakarta, Indonesia, 21–22 May 2015 First Meeting of the Pacific Islands Climate Services Panel, Nadi, Fiji, 14–15 August 2015 The 5th ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF), Singapore, 18–19 November 2015 First Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji,

15–16 October 2015 BMKG Training Course on Weather Analysis, Citeko, Bogor, Indonesia, 28 March–9 April

2016 BMKG Training Course for Telecommunication Operators 2016, Citeko, Bogor, Indonesia,

5–13 April 2016 Fourth meeting of the Regional Subproject Management Team (RSMT) for the SWFDP,

Honiara, Solomon Islands, 23-27 August 2016; Thirty-eighth Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Meteorology and Geophysics,

Yangon, Myanmar, 29–31 August 2016; Training workshop on advancing groundwater monitoring in Pacific SIDS, Suva, Fiji,

29 August–2 September 2016; Pacific Islands Aviation Weather Services (PIAWS) Panel, Honiara, Solomon Islands,

2 September 2016; Pacific Regional Training on QMS, Nadi, Fiji, October 2016; Second Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF-2), Nadi, Fiji, 17–18 October 2016; Pacific Roadmap for Strengthening Climate Services, Nadi, Fiji, 20–22 October 2016; Southeast Asian RCC-Network Implementation Planning Meeting, 14–15 November

2016, Manila, Philippines, 14–15 November 2016; Seventh ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF), Manila, Philippines, 14–

18 November 2016; In-country training for Kiribati Meteorological Service, Kiribati, December 2016; Meeting of the Regional Subproject Management Team of the Severe Weather

Forecasting and Disaster risk reduction Demonstration Project for SE Asia, Hanoi, Viet Nam, 10–14 August 2016;

In-country training for Kiribati Meteorological Service staff on Tarawa on aviation weather observations and reporting, and AMO competency assessment, Kiribati, March 2017;

Wrap-up meeting of the Pilot project on SIGMET Coordination in Southern Asia, Singapore, 27–29 March 2017;

Informal Planning Meeting of the WMO Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP IPM), Melbourne, Australia, 4–6 April 2017.

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 11

Space-Based Weather and Climate Extremes Monitoring (SWCEM) Demonstration Project (SEMDP) Workshop, Jakarta, Indonesia, 19–21 March 2018;

A Preparatory Meeting for SEMDP in East Asia and Western Pacific Regional Subproject Steering Group (SG-SEMDP); Jakarta, Indonesia, 22 March 2018;

Regional group BIP-MT training program for Pacific SIDS/LDCs, Nadi, Fiji,24 April – 29 June 2017;

Distance learning course for field hydrology technicians for SIDS/LDCs in RA V, 22 May–28 July 2017;

Launching of the Years of the Maritime Continent Research Campaign 2017-2019, Jakarta, Indonesia, 17 July 2017;

Training on National Multi-Hazards Early Warning System with Geo-Spatial Applications for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development, Citeko, Indonesia, 10 July – 2 August 2017;

Fourth session of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-4), Honiara, Solomon Islands, 14–17 August 2017;

Second Pacific Islands Ministers Meeting on Meteorology (PIMMM-2), Honiara, Solomon Islands, 18 August 2017;

Ninth ASEAN Regional Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF-9), Hanoi, Viet Nam, 15-17 November 2017;

Year of Maritime Continent (YMC) - Sumatra 2017 campaign, Bengkulu, Indonesia, November 2017 – January 2018 (Land-based, 16 November 2017 - 15 January 2018 and Ship on-station, 3 December 2017 – 1 January 2018;

Focus Group Discussion II on (YMC IOP) between BMKG-BPPT-JAMSTEC, Bengkulu, Indonesia, 15 January 2018;

Fiji National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF) and National Stakeholders Consultation on Climate Services (NSC), Suva, Fiji, 22–23 February 2018;

Regional Workshop on Strengthening Multi-Hazards Early Warning System for Pacific Islands Countries, Bali, Indonesia, 7–8 March 2018;

Niue national workshop on oceans and tides, Alofi, Niue, 19–22 March 2018; Vanuatu national public-private sector stakeholders meeting to support maritime safety

and energy efficiency, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 24–26 March 2018; Pacific Climate Change Science and Services Research Strategy Workshop, Apia, Samoa,

12–16 April 2018; National workshop on lessons learned from tropical cyclone Gita, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 30

April–2 May 2018; Tonga National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF), Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 3–4 May 2018; Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) Panel on Oceans and Marines Services (PIMOS),

Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 7 May 2018; WMO Experts Mission to Fiji, 21–25 May 2018.

Part IV: Events of extra-budgetary projects

Regional Consultation on the Independent Corporate Review of SPREP and the Mid-Term Review of SPREP Strategic Plan, Nadi, Fiji, 12–14 May 2014

Pacific International Training Desk First Group for 2014, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 16 June–11 July 2014

Meteorological Technician Training Course at WMO Regional Training Centre, Manila, Philippines, 5 August–22 December 2014

Pacific International Training Desk Second Group for 2014, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 11 August–5 September 2014

Pacific International Training Desk Third Group for 2014, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 1 September–10 October 2014

Pacific International Training Desk Fourth Group for 2015, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 20 October–14 November 2014

Severe Weather Forecast and Disaster Risk Reduction Demonstration Project In-country Training in Samoa, Apia, Samoa, 9–13 March 2015

Post Disaster Needs Assessment and Damage and Loss Assessment after Tropical Cyclone Pam Impacted Vanuatu, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 1–17 April 2015

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WMO Post-Tropical Cyclone Pam Expert Mission to Vanuatu, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 20–24 April 2015

Severe Weather Forecast and Disaster Risk Reduction Demonstration Project In-country Training in Fiji, Nadi, Fiji, 20–24 April 2015

Australian Government Funded Climate and Ocean Programme in the Pacific Traditional Knowledge Meeting in the Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 20–24 April 2015

Severe Weather Forecast and Disaster Risk Reduction Demonstration Project In-country Training in Kiribati, Tawara, Kiribati, 27 April–1 May 2015

Pacific International Training Desk First Group for 2015, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 27 April–22 May 2015

Data Buoy Cooperation Panel Pacific Islands First Capacity Building Workshop, Koror, Palau, 4–7 May 2015

Media Training on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 18–22 May 2015

Australian Government Funded Climate and Ocean Programme in the Pacific Training Workshop on Climate Services, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, 25–29 May 2015

The Blue Planet Symposium, Cairns, Australia, 26–27 May 2015 The Third Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC-3), Nuku'alofa, Tonga, 20–23 July 2015 The first Pacific Ministers Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM), Nuku'alofa, Tonga, 24 July

2015 Southeastern Asia-Oceania Flash Flood Guidance (SAOFFG) Initial Planning Meeting,

Jakarta, Indonesia, 2–4 February 2016 Finland-Pacific Project Practitioners Workshop, Nadi, Fiji, 12–14 October 2016; First Steering Committee Meeting (SCM 1) of Southeastern Asia-Oceania Flash Flood

Guidance (SAOFFG) Project, Jakarta, Indonesia, 10–12 July 2017; First Meeting of the CREWS Pacific SIDS Project Steering Committee Meeting (Pacific

SIDS PSC-1), Honiara, Solomon Islands, 9 August 2017; Meeting on the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project funding proposal for “Enhancing early

warning systems to better build resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Pacific SIDS” (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Vanuatu), Honiara, Solomon Islands, 9 August 2017;

Inception workshop on the GCF project funding proposal for “Enhancing early warning systems to better build resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Pacific SIDS, Nadi, Fiji, 23–24 November 2017;

National consultation workshop on the GCF project funding proposal for “Enhancing early warning systems to better build resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Pacific SIDS”: Timor Leste, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea,23 November-15 December 2017;

Kick-off Meeting Weather Ready Nation Indonesia, Jakarta & Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 21 February – 1 March 2018;

Inception workshop on the Green Climate Fund (GCF)/SPREP/Vanuatu Climate Information Services for Resilient Development (CISRD) Project, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 22–23 February 2018;

First meeting of the Steering Committee for the Green Climate Fund (GCF)/SPREP/Vanuatu Climate Information Services for Resilient Development (CISRD) Project, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 26 February 2018;

Southeastern Asia-Oceania Flash Flood Guidance System (SAOFFGS) Steering Committee Meeting 2 (SCM2), Citeko, Indonesia, 3–5 April 2018;

Final Planning Meeting and Eleventh Steering Committee Meeting for the Australian Government funded Phase 1 of the Climate and Ocean Service Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac), Nuku’alofa Tonga, 8–9 May 2018;

Pre-planning Meeting for the Australian Government funded Phase 2 of the Climate and Ocean Service Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac), Nuku’alofa Tonga,10–11 May 2018;

Regional validation workshop on the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project funding proposal for “Enhancing early warning systems to better build resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Pacific SIDS”, Port Vila, Vanuatu, May 2018.

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RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 13

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 14

ANNEX III

Survey on the Challenges and Priorities of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the

Regional Association V (South-West Pacific)

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

OCTOBER 2018

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 15

Introduction

The Members of the WMO Regional Association V (RA V) have been surveyed in order to identify the most important challenges and priorities of Members. The data obtained from the Survey will help prepare baseline information and background material, including the identification of regional priorities, in order to inform and support evidence-based strategic planning discussions at the forthcoming seventeenth session of RA V. The Survey was conducted on-line using the SurveyMonkey platform during the periodAugust–September 2018. Twenty-one out of possible 23 responses were received.

ChallengesMembers were asked to identify the most pressing challenges from a list of 16 predefined categories by rating the extent of the challenge on a 5-point scale (1 = no challenge; 2 = slight challenge; 3 = moderate challenge; 4 = moderate/serious challenge; 5 = serious challenge). The scores were then tallied and averaged to produce a list that illustrates the most significant challenges facing NMHSs in order of significance (see Figure 1 below). The most significant challenges identified were: adequacy of NWP modelling capacity, anticipated budget cuts and lack of qualified personnel.Adequacy of existing observing systems, the needs of improvement of visibility towards the decision makers, and adequacy of hydrology services were also highly rated (see Figure 1).

(1) Adequacy of NWP modelling capacity; (2) Lack of qualified personnel in some areas; (3) Budget - anticipated cuts; (4) Adequacy of hydrology services; (5) Relationship with private sector;

Figure 1. Challenges of NMHSs (Whole RA V)

An analysis for subregions (Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands) was also made, and serious challenges identified in those subregions were:

Adequacy of NWP modeling capacityLack of qualified personnel in some areas

Budget - anticipated cutsAdequacy of hydrology services

Relationship with private sectorAdequacy of marine services

Adequacy of the existing observing systemsVisibility towards the decision makers needs to be improved

Adequacy of EWS and services for DRRAdequacy of telecommunication facilities and capacity

Adequacy of aviation servicesAdequacy of agriculture services

Data policiesAdequacy of climate services

Introduction/maintenance of QMSStaff - anticipated cuts

0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00

3.57

3.43

3.29

3.24

3.19

3.19

3.10

3.05

2.95

2.90

2.86

2.86

2.81

2.81

2.81

2.71

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 16

– Southeast Asia(1) Adequacy of NWP modelling capacity;(2) Budget - anticipated cuts;(3) Lack of qualified personnel in some areas;(4) Visibility towards the decision makers needs to be improved;(4) Adequacy of agriculture services;(4) Adequacy of marine services.

Figure 2. Challenges of NMHSs (Southeast Asia)– Pacific Islands(1) Adequacy of NWP modeling capacity;(2) Lack of qualified personnel in some areas;(3) Adequacy of hydrology services;(4) Budget - anticipated cuts;(4) Adequacy of marine services;

Figure 3. Challenges of NMHSs (Pacific Islands)

Respondents were asked to identify up to six priority areas from a list of 11 pre-identified categories (WIGOS, Capacity building, Forecast and EWS, Climate services & GFCS, Financial Support, Aviation services, QMS, WIS, Partnership and Outreach program and Institutional - legislative framework) for future work to help address the challenges identified above.

Adequacy of NWP modeling capacityBudget - anticipated cuts

Lack of qualified personnel in some areasVisibility towards the decision makers needs to be improved

Adequacy of agriculture servicesAdequacy of marine services

Adequacy of EWS and services for DRRAdequacy of climate services

Relationship with private sectorAdequacy of the existing observing systems

Adequacy of telecommunication facilities and capacityData policies

Staff - anticipated cutsIntroduction/maintenance of QMS

Adequacy of hydrology servicesAdequacy of aviation services

0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00

3.673.50

3.333.173.173.17

3.003.003.00

2.832.832.83

2.502.502.50

2.33

Adequacy of NWP modeling capacityLack of qualified personnel in some areas

Adequacy of hydrology servicesBudget - anticipated cuts

Adequacy of marine servicesAdequacy of the existing observing systems

Relationship with private sectorAdequacy of aviation services

Adequacy of telecommunication facilities and capacityIntroduction/maintenance of QMS

Adequacy of EWS and services for DRRStaff - anticipated cuts

Adequacy of climate servicesVisibility towards the decision makers needs to be improved

Adequacy of agriculture servicesData policies

0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00

3.833.75

3.673.423.42

3.333.33

3.253.173.17

3.083.003.003.003.00

2.83

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 17

Table 2 provides the comparative priority areas based on weighted value weighing top priority as highest value of 6 and decreasing subsequently.

Table 2. Weighted priority areas

Priority Weighted value1 2 3 4 5 6

Forecast and EWS 7 4 2 4 1 2 86Capacity building 6 3 4 2 2 1 78Aviation services 0 7 5 2 1 1 64Financial Support 5 2 1 0 4 1 53Climate services & GFCS 0 4 3 2 3 3 47WIGOS 1 1 3 3 1 2 36QMS 1 0 3 1 5 2 33Partnership and Outreach program 0 0 0 3 2 3 16Institutional - legislative framework 1 0 0 0 1 3 11WIS 0 0 0 2 1 2 10Commercial service 0 0 0 2 0 1 7

Forecast and EWSCapacity buildingAviation servicesFinancial Support

Climate services & GFCSWIGOS

QMSPartnership and Outreach programInstitutional - legislative framework

WISCommercial Services

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

86

78

64

53

47

36

33

16

11

10

7

Figure 4. Future Priority (Whole RA V)

An analysis for the same subregions was also undertaken and the following subregional priorities were identified.

– Southeast Asia(1) Forecast and EWS(2) Capacity building(3) Climate services & GFCS(4) Aviation services(5) WIGOS(6) Financial Support

RA V-17/INF. 2.1(1), p. 18

Forecast and EWSCapacity building

Climate services & GFCSAviation services

WIGOSFinancial Support

Partnership and Outreach programQMSWIS

Commercial ServicesInstitutional - legislative framework

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

32

25

18

15

11

8

7

3

3

3

1

Figure 5. Future Priority (Southeast Asia)

– Pacific Islands(1) Capacity building(2) Forecast and EWS(3) Financial Support(4) Aviation services(5) Climate services & GFCS(6) QMS

Capacity buildingForecast and EWSFinancial SupportAviation services

Climate services & GFCSQMS

WIGOSInstitutional - legislative frameworkPartnership and Outreach program

WISCommercial Services

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

52

39

37

34

28

25

17

8

7

4

1

Figure 6. Future Priority (Pacific Islands)

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