7 August 2025, Apia, Samoa – The Pacific’s efforts to strengthen climate and weather services, enhance resilience, and respond to the increasing risks posed by climate change across the region as outlined in the Pacific Island Meteorological Strategy have been further strengthened through the fomalisation of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (SPREP) partnership with the Korean Meteorological Institute (KMI).
SPREP’s Acting Director General, Ms. Easter Chu Shing, and the President of KMI, Mr. Hwang Myong Kyun, officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two agencies at the opening of the Workshop on Strengthening Cooperation for Climate Resilience in Pacific Island Countries hosted by KMI and SPREP and witnessed by the Chairman of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) and his fellow directors from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs).
The MoU will provide a framework for cooperation between the two agencies for the next five years and will directly benefit Pacific NMHSs by providing access to advanced meteorological technologies and capacity building opportunities to improve forecasting accuracy and strengthen early warning systems across the region.
KMI is a public institution under the Korean Meteorological Administration, established to promote the Korean meteorological industry and support the dissemination and utilization of meteorological information.
KMI President Mr. Hwang said, “We live in a time when the effects of the climate crisis are growing ever more severe. Now more than ever, we must join together in solidarity and collaborate across borders.”
“The MOU between KMI and SPREP is an important first step towards developing a sustainable partnership in the areas of climate adaptation, early warning systems and advancement of weather and climate services,” Mr Hwang said.
SPREP’s Acting Director General remarked that the formalisation of this partnership could not have come at a better time, as Pacific NMHSs are in the process of reviewing the Pacific Island Meteorological Services which will be the region’s guiding framework for strengthening meteorological services.
She acknowledged the ongoing support of KMI, by providing interns who have greatly contributed to the work of SPREP’s Climate Science and Information programme, and for KMI’s role in delivering climate services training opportunities that have helped strengthen the capacity of Pacific island meteorological professionals.
“Through this MoU with KMI, we see vast potential for sharing cutting-edge technologies, potential for joint research and innovation, and providing much-needed support for our Pacific island countries in achieving their national priorities,” Ms. Chu Shing said.
“We also see this partnership as supporting the delivery of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, particularly its themes of climate change and disaster resilience ocean and environment protection, and people-centered development,” she added.
The signing was applauded by the Chair of the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) and Director of the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department, Mr. Levu Antfalo, and fellow Pacific Met Directors who are in Samoa to discuss the development of the new Pacific Island Meteorological Strategy.
“Over the past three days, we have had very productive and insightful discussions reflecting on our journey over the past ten years. As we look ahead to the next cycle of our regional strategy, the formalisation of this partnership through this MoU places SPREP in a great position to support us, its members, through its Climate Science and Information programme,” Mr. Antfalo said.
“Let me take this opportunity to emphasise one key message – sustainability matters. As a region, we value partnerships that are not just about projects, but about long-term collaboration, mutual respect, and shared growth. We thank SPREP and KMI for their support, and their investment in our collective progress is deeply appreciated,” he concluded.
For more information, please contact Mr. Salesa Nihmei, Director – Climate Science and Information, at [email protected].