11 August 2021, Apia, Samoa – Strengthening partnerships between the private sector and Pacific National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and identifying emerging technology and innovation in weather, water, ocean, climate, and disaster risk management and reduction were some of the objectives of the two-day HydroMet Pacific Talanoa and Exhibition.
Jointly organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and its subsidiary body the Pacific Meteorological Council, together with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Varysian, the talanoa attracted a diverse audience from the private sector to NMHSs, Pacific regional organisations, and the public sectors including agriculture, fisheries, and infrastructure.
Participants were given the opportunity to engage with the latest technical developments and top solutions in the HydroMet space, discuss emerging weather and climate themes, including impact-based forecasting, and hear the latest on WMO policy and funding mechanisms.
Ms Tagaloa Cooper, Director of SPREP’s Climate Change Resilience programme, remarked that despite the challenges faced by the Pacific and the world as we navigate through these unprecedented times, it is comforting to know that the work continues.
“The recent release of the IPCC AR6 report reconfirms that in the coming decades, weather and climate extreme events will increase in the Pacific,” she said.
“Headlines related to recent extreme weather events appear to come out of a science fiction book – even the richest countries in the world can’t control widespread fires, and they’re even burning in the Arctic; deadly flooding in parts of Europe in July 2021 completely washed away buildings and cars with more than 1,000 people still missing; the U.S. Pacific Northwest, known for its cool climate, had fires and heat waves for several days, and the list goes on,” she added.
“This event provides an occasion to hear opportunities in technology and innovation from private sector and regional and international organisations that we hope will inspire everyone, and also provide an opportunity for all of us to look ahead and develop innovative solutions to keep our people safe and secure,” she concluded by saying.
Ms Frances Brown-Reupena, Chief Executive Officer of Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and current Chair of the PMC, said that the virtual exhibition is fulfilling Varysian’s promise and commitment as a friend of the PMC, to bring about opportunities for both the private and public sector in the HydroMet space as the council celebrates its 10th Anniversary since its existence on the 12th August 2011
“This is a rare opportunity and I applaud the efforts made to ensure that both the public and private sector in the HydroMet community engage, collaborate, and have meaningful exchange both bringing expertise and concerns to the forefront to be addressed.” Ms Brown-Reupena said.
The two-day event was held from 11 – 12 August, 2021. The talanoa was held both through a virtual platform, and face-to-face. It featured an array of speakers and experts in the areas of technology and innovation, and the PMC Chair urged everyone to make the most of the opportunity they had to engage with them.
For more information, please contact the Pacific Meteorological Desk Partnership at [email protected].