(PACNEWS) THE director general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) says there is growing political awareness of the importance of weather services in the Pacific.
Meteorological officials from around the Pacific are meeting in Honiara this week ahead of a meeting by ministers in charge of met offices.
Kosi Latu said one issue that has been discussed is the need to extend or improve forecasting services to some of the smaller countries such as Tokelau and Niue.
He said these islands will need resources to build capacity which is now more likely given international interest in improving forecasting.
“Ten years ago the level of interest was quite minimal. But when you start talking climate change then people start realising that the need for, for example, climate services, is so critical in understanding climate change.”
