7th Regional Conference on Management of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (RECO-7) for Regional Association V ^Featured

Speaking to more than 70 guests, Hon Tei said that we are living in a very challenging time. We have heard our Leaders in the recent Nauru Declaration, Climate Change and its adverse effects are the single most challenging threat that faces the Pacific today.

“The report issued on Monday by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), says the planet will reach the crucial threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by as early as 2030 precipitating the risk of extreme weather, drought, wildfires, floods and food shortages for hundreds of millions of people, including our region.”

He stated that in February this year, severe Category 4 Tropical Cyclone “Gita” the strongest cyclone to hit Tonga’s capital in 40 years caused havoc and destruction in which we are still recovering from. Just last year in Nuku’alofa, we experience one of worst floods here in the capital in the middle of our dry season.

Hon. Tei emphasized there is no doubt, that our climate is changing and its adverse effects are affecting us now!

“The Government of Tonga recognizes that early warning, effective preparation, and timely action save lives. Tonga’s response to Tropical Cyclone Gita proved exactly that, and is something that I am very proud to share in various forums and to you today.”

“We received warnings from our National Meteorological Service 2 days in advance that Cyclone Gita was heading towards the capital and that it was very likely to be a Category 5 system when it made landfall. The MET Service followed the system very closely and kept both Government and the public at large, well informed. When the system was 12hrs out, the Government of Tonga declared a State of Emergency for the entire Tonga Group.”

“About 6000 citizens evacuated to emergency shelters before nightfall. And by the time the MET Office was damaged and could not fully function just before the Eye of the Cyclone passed overhead everyone was already safe. So as the debris, branches and roofs were flying around all over us that night, not a single life was lost.”

He told the gatherings that we still have so much to do in terms of improving our Early Warning Systems.

“The Government of Tonga together with its development partners is investing close to USD40 million over the next 5 years into improving Multi-hazard Warning Systems. We are looking at improving infrastructure, communications systems, and alert systems and building the capacity of our Early Warning institutions.”

“The National Meteorological and Hydrological Service are much more than just saving lives. It supports, protect and develop other sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, health and water. So the development of quality climate services and longer term predictions is equally important. In just a matter of 4 year the price of Kava, one of Tonga’s largest cash crops increased 5 fold due to the major drought that hit us during the 2014/15 El Nino. Protection of our livelihoods is crucial.”

Hon. Tei also affirmed that during the 71st UN General Assembly in 2016, a one-day high level meeting was decided aiming to review the progress made in addressing the priorities of the SAMOA Pathway. The UN General Assembly also decided that the high level review will result in “a concise action oriented and inter-governmentally agreed political declaration.

“I encourage WMO and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to participate and contribute to the review of the SAMOA Pathway.”

“I note that during this Conference that discussions will include the reforms of WMO constituent bodies and working groups of Regional Association V. I encourage the Conference to recommend to the 17th session of Regional Association V to establish a working group on SIDS, to increase coordination among the technical working groups and to enable WMO to address and enhance contribution, visibility and coordination with regional and global agenda such as the SAMOA Pathway, SDGs and Sendai Framework.”

“I also encourage the conference to consider establishing a formal mechanism such as a SIDS Advisory Group within the WMO constituent bodies structure to increase engagement and contribution of SIDS to the WMO reform; and to enable WMO to address national, regional and global development needs, and enhance contribution and visibility to the regional and global agenda.”

Attending the opening ceremony were the President of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Association V (South-West Pacific), Dr. Andi Eka Sakya, Director of the Department of Development and Regional Activities of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Ms. Mary Power, Rev. Tevita Latailakepa, Directors and senior officials of the member countries, Government officials and other delegates from the region.

-MEIDECC