As climate‑related hazards intensify, the demand for accurate, timely and easy‑to‑use forecasts has never been higher, especially for sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, transport, tourism and disaster management. The Tonga Meteorological Service (TMS), under the Tonga Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), is responsible for monitoring the weather and climate that shape daily life and long‑term development across the Kingdom of Tonga, from tropical cyclones and droughts to heavy rain and coastal flooding.
Through the EU‑funded Intra‑ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, implemented in the Pacific by SPREP, Tonga is now investing in a formal Quality Management System (QMS) to lift its services to international standards.
The agreement, valued at USD6 79,500.00 brings dedicated technical and financial support to 11 national activities that align with the Tonga Meteorological Service Strategic Development Framework 2023–2027.
What the Quality Management System will do
The new QMS will help TMS standardise how forecasts and warnings are produced, checked, and shared with the public and key users. It is being designed to align with ISO 9001:2015 and the World Meteorological Organization’s Quality Management Framework, which are global benchmarks for reliable, user‑focused services.
Key outcomes expected from the QMS include stronger accountability and transparency, services that better meet the needs of government agencies, communities and the private sector, including farmers, fishers and transport operators, improved risk management and decision‑making, compliance with the World Meteorological Organisation and International Civil Aviation Organization requirements, supporting safer aviation operations in Tonga’s airspace and better readiness for future accreditation and certification, giving Tonga’s services stronger recognition regionally and globally.
Partnership to deliver higher‑quality services
To deliver this work, SPREP has contracted Quality Solutions, a Tonga‑based firm, to design, establish and support implementation of the QMS for TMS.
A recent kick‑off meeting in Nukuʻalofa between TMS and Quality Solutions marked the start of the QMS workplan and underlined the shared commitment to higher‑quality, nationally owned services. TMS Director Laitia Fifita has highlighted that this support comes at a critical time, enabling the service to enhance how it monitors, predicts and communicates weather and climate information to the people of Tonga.
Quality Solutions will develop the QMS and a compliance software solution for weather, climate and ocean services, review aviation‑related audit findings and guide TMS through corrective actions and documentation needed for Civil Aviation Part 174 certification, help TMS meet Civil Aviation Part 100 Safety Management System requirements and establish a safety policy, lead staff training, update standard operating procedures and plans, and support development of a cost‑recovery plan to sustain TMS operations into the future.
Supporting Early Warnings for All
The QMS development is part of a broader ClimSA package that also includes improving drought early warning systems, ICT training for staff, development of sector‑specific products for agriculture and maritime users, data management and digitisation, and strengthened communication tools such as TV weather services and satellite internet‑based systems. These investments directly contribute to national, regional and global efforts to deliver “Early Warnings for All” and to build a more weather and climate‑resilient Tonga.
As the QMS is rolled out and staff trained, communities across Tonga can expect more consistent, clear and trusted information to help them prepare for what the sky and ocean may bring—today, this season and in the years ahead.