11 June 2026, Honiara - Pacific hydromet and geological service directors, regional and technical partners and meteorological services are returning to their respective homes with an improved understanding of how to close the USD 80Million Pacific's weather and climate data gap in the Global Basic Observation Network (GBON).
The work to address this gap matters.
"Reliable observations are the foundation of every forecast and early warning the Pacific relies on them,” said Mr 'Ofa Fa'anunu, Weather Ready Pacific Programme Manager.
“Weather Ready Pacific and the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF). are working together looking for ways to ensure regional ambition turns into sustainable action on the ground, and we are looking forward to continuing to work closely with SOFF and our Pacific Met Services to support the successful establishment of new and renovated meteorological monitoring stations that will strengthen forecasting and early warning systems across our region.”
On 3 June in Honiara, Solomon Islands, a session co-facilitated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through its Weather Ready Pacific (WRP) Programme, and SOFF focussed on closing the Pacific's weather and climate data gap. The session followed the WRP Steering Committee Meeting, which brought the same community together, and built on a partnership the two organisations signed at COP29.
The session gave an overview of SOFF's support in the Pacific, where 12 countries are now in the programme and four are already investing in new and renovated stations, including in Solomon Islands, the host country.
Discussion also covered how countries might work together as a region, and the future of financing, including a proposed new finance tool, the Systematic Observation Impact Bond, designed to bring funding forward so countries can move from planning to delivery sooner. The marine observation gap was also flagged as an ongoing priority for a region defined by the sea.
“Together with the Meteorological Directors and Weather Ready Pacific, we share an ambitious vision: to strengthen weather and climate observations across the Pacific by joining forces, building regional synergies, and investing not only in data, but in systems that can be sustained over the long term,” said Ms. Olga Miltcheva, SOFF Deputy Director.
“The forthcoming Systematic Observation Impact Bond can help front-load the funding needed to close critical gaps quickly.”
With a lot for services to weigh up, Pacific hydromet directors called for the conversation to continue. There is much still to consider, and the clear request was to revisit these discussions so that decisions can be taken carefully and with Pacific countries in the lead.
The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) is a UN fund dedicated to helping countries with the greatest data shortfalls, particularly Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, to generate and share the basic weather and climate observations that underpin forecasts, early warnings and climate services worldwide, in line with the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) standard.
About the Systematic Observations Financing Facility
Established in 2022, the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) is a United Nations fund co-created by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) dedicated to closing the basic weather and climate data gaps in the world’s most resource-constrained regions. SOFF provides grants and peer-to-peer technical assistance to help Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States generate and sustain surface-based observations that meet Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) standards. By enabling a steady flow of high-quality weather and climate data, SOFF delivers a global public good that strengthens forecasts, improves early warnings, and supports climate-resilient development everywhere.
About Weather Rady Pacific
The WRP Programme is a Pacific-led, Pacific-owned decadal Programme of Investment endorsed by Pacific Leaders. Implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), WRP aims to reduce the human and economic costs of severe weather, water, and ocean events across Pacific Island communities by strengthening National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and their partnerships with National Disaster Management Offices. Since 2023, WRP is designated the primary regional vehicle for delivering the United Nations Secretary-General's Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative in the Pacific. The programme is supported by the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
For more information, please contact:
Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Manager, WRP Programme - ofaf@sprep.org
Ms Angelica Salele-Sefo, Communications & Knowledge Management Officer, WRPP - angelicas@sprep.org