19 May 2025
The Climate and Ocean Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), successfully concluded its annual Steering Committee Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands, bringing together representatives from 15 National Meteorological & Hydrological Services (NMHSs) offices, Lands & Survey departments, and key technical partners. The programme, funded by the Australian Government and the New Zealand Government, strengthens Pacific climate and ocean resilience by equipping NMHSs with the data, tools, and skills they need to deliver accurate forecasts and early warnings. The five-day event, held from May 12 to 16, provided a platform for stakeholders to review progress, share insights, and strategise on the future direction of climate and ocean services in the Pacific.
Hosted at the Heritage Park Hotel, the meeting featured discussions on the latest advancements in climate and ocean monitoring, capacity-building initiatives, and integrating scientific data into national policies. Representatives from the Pacific Community (SPC), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Bureau of Meteorology Australia, Geoscience Australia, and NIWA New Zealand joined NMHSs in assessing the programme’s impact and identifying opportunities for enhanced collaboration.
Mr Karl Kuper, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, welcomed the participants to Honiara. “This is more than just a gathering; it is a platform to share reflections and learnings, showcase the achievements of COSPPac over the last year, and to address challenges to continue to strengthen collaboration across the region,” he stated.
“For generations, Pacific communities have observed and understood changes in climate and environment. Combining this wisdom with modern tools allows us to develop more holistic, culturally grounded and community-trusted approaches to resilience,” said New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Mr Jonathan Curr.
Ms Lindsay Buckingham, Minister Counsellor of the Australian High Commission in Honiara, added: “Australia is deeply committed to this programme, we’ve backed it for more than 30 years. COSPPac enables communities and governments to make informed decisions that protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.”
“Australia also acknowledges Solomon Islands’ leadership in hosting this important meeting here in Honiara this week. The Pacific are first movers on climate, and the region has demonstrated sustained and innovative leadership to push climate change on the global stage.”
Key outcomes from the meeting included:
- Progress review: Updates on COSPPac’s initiatives, including advancements in climate forecasting tools and ocean monitoring systems.
- Capacity building: Strengthening technical expertise within NMHSs through training programs and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Regional collaboration: Reinforcing partnerships among Pacific nations and technical agencies to ensure sustainable and inclusive climate services.
- Future strategies: Identifying priority areas for the next phase of COSPPac, with a focus on resilience-building and data accessibility.
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to fostering regional cooperation and ensuring climate and ocean data continue to inform decision-making across the Pacific. As the programme moves forward, stakeholders will work towards expanding outreach efforts and integrating climate services into national development strategies.
For further information, contact the COSPPac communications team: cosppac
spc.int (cosppac[at]spc[dot]int)