By Asenati Taugasolo Semu, Government of Samoa Office of the Press Secretariat, member of the Pacific Media Team
1 July 2013, Nadi Fiji - Fiji has been praised for its continued support in providing essential meteorological services to countries in the region.
The Deputy Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Kosi Latu, commended Fiji for providing meteorological services to its Pacific neigbours since its establishment in 1975.
Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting in Nadi, Fiji, Latu highlighted the services of the Fiji Meteorological Service.
“The Fiji Meteorological Service continues to provide critical meteorological services including warnings to the Pacific Island Countries and Territories, in its capacity as the World Meteorological Organization designated Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Nadi – Tropical Cyclone Centre, and as the International Civil Aviation Organization designated Tropical Cyclones Advisory Center and Meteorological Watch Office.
“The Government of Fiji meets all operation costs for the regional weather forecasting service and continues to provide services beyond that of the normal functions of a Regional Specialized Meteorological Center, a Tropical Cyclone Advisory Center and a Meteorological Watch Office for the region.”
Fiji’s Minister for Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Timoci Lesi Natuva, in delivering the keynote address said Fiji would continue to support regional countries.
He said Fiji takes its responsibilities as the Tropical Cyclone-Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (TC RSMC) very seriously and reaffirmed to the region and partners his country’s commitment to sustain this service.
The PMC meeting continues until Friday and will feature presentations and discussions by heads of meteorological services in the regions and supporting partners.
SPREP’s Deputy Director said the PMC’s milestones since its establishment in 2011, include the set up of the PMC and the Pacific Meteorological Desk Partnership and the endorsement of the Pacific Islands Meteorological Strategy 2012-2021.
Representatives from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated State of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands made presentations today.
