Tonga attends WMO 18th Session in Geneva Featured
The Tonga Delegates seated during the discussion of the Strategic Plans and Budget 2020-2030 of WMO (From right to left, Mr. Taaniela Kula (Hydrological Advisor), Mr. ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Permanent Representative of Tonga with WMO and President of WMO Region V.
11 June, 2019. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is hosting its 18th Congress for the 193 Member States of the United Nations.
Tonga is represented by Mr. ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Director of Tonga Meteorological Services and Mr. Taaniela Kula, Deputy CEO, Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources.
Mr. Fa’anunu is the Permanent Representative (PR) of Tonga to WMO and is also the President of WMO Regional Association V representing countries of the Pacific and South East Asia Region. Mr. Kula is attending as Hydrological Advisor to the PR of Tonga to WMO.
The Congress of WMO is held every 4 years. The primary purpose of the Congress is to hold in-depth discussions and consider and approve the WMO Strategic and Operating Plans and Budget for the next 4 years.
Tonga is spearheading increased support at the regional level for improved meteorological and hydrological services.
Image 1. President of RA V, Mr. ‘Ofa Fa’anunu, Permanent Representative of Tonga to WMO first intervention on the 2020-2013 Strategic Plan and Budget discussion at the WMO Congress.
Tonga’s President of RA V Mr. Ofa Fa’anunu hopes to achieve in this meeting the clear linkage of the WMO Strategic Plan and Budget to the priorities of the RA V for the 2020-2023.
In addition, emphasise the need for more investments for pacific small island developing states (PSIDS). The baseline budget of WMO proposed is $266Million Swiss Francs. which are contributions of its 193 Members.
Tonga contributes $12,966 Swiss Francs to the Budget of the WMO every year which is 0.02% of the Budget.
Recently WMO has raised the profile of hydrology in the services it delivers. In doing so, requires the participation of Hydrological Advisors of the member counties to raise and hold deep-dive discussion on the core activities of WMO in the next 8 years.
That is to ensure that adequate actions and budget are committed to not only to improve water resources management, but support multi-early warnings of droughts and floods.
Since Tonga was elected President of the RA V in October 2018, it has more influence on WMO policy decision makings.
WMO provide important technical and specialised assistance for the development of Meteorology in Tonga to better provide the Meteorology Department to provide its services.
Countries from the Pacific that have joined Tonga at this 18th Session of Congress include Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Australia and New Zealand.
Tonga’s attendance at the WMO Congress is funded by the Government.
- MEIDECC
