THE Pacific Meteorological Council has been urged to turn the challenges facing the region’s weather and climate services into opportunities to strengthen warning systems, invest in people and ensure critical information reaches vulnerable communities.
Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) chair and Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Division director Levu Antfalo made the remarks as he reflected on the council’s progress since taking over the chairmanship in 2024.
Mr Antfalo said the region continued to face growing weather and climate-related threats, including recent tropical cyclones, volcanic activity and another tropical cyclone season approaching.
“These are the challenges and opportunities before us over,” he said.
He said the focus should be on strengthening meteorological services, sustaining observing and warning systems, investing in people, embracing innovation and ensuring warnings and climate information reached the “very last person and community” that needed them.
Mr Antfalo said the PMC had grown into an important regional platform since its establishment in 2011, allowing national meteorological and hydrological services across the Pacific to work collectively, establish regional priorities and strengthen partnerships.
He said while progress had been made during his tenure, much work remained.
“We heard those reports, reflect on what has been achieved, identify the remaining gaps, and agree on the actions that we must take forward together.”
Mr Antfalo also highlighted recent disasters affecting member states, including tropical cyclone impacts in the Solomon Islands and Federated States of Micronesia, as well as ongoing volcanic activity.
“These events remind us that the services we provide are about protecting lives, livelihoods, and the future security of our Pacific people.”
Mr Antfalo was elected the seventh chair of the PMC in 2024.
The council elected Tonga Meteorological Service director Laitia Fifita as its new chair last week (PMC 8).
