FIJI is bringing its regional training and calibration centre in Nadi to the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) meeting as part of its contribution to strengthening meteorological capacity across the region.
Speaking yesterday, Meteorological Service director Misaeli Funakin said Fiji’s participation in the PMC was important, particularly as the region faced conditions including prolonged drought and rough seas associated with southerly winds.
“I think it is important for us (Fiji) to be here (at PMC),” Mr Funakin said.
“We are one of the bigger MET services in the region.”
He said however, while other services learned from Fiji, the exchange was mutual.
Mr Funakin said the current seasonal conditions made it important for Pacific MET services to come together and develop strategies to address shared challenges.
He said agencies supporting the work of MET services were also an important part of the PMC, including United Nations agencies and regional organisations.
“There is no MET service (in the Pacific) that doesn’t have an issue.”
He said Fiji was also bringing its own changes and developments to the region, including the construction of a new regional training and calibration centre in Nadi.
The centre is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
“This is where a lot of the training that will happen in the MET offices in the region will get the people to be empowered, build capacity amongst us as a region.”
