SPREP

Pacific Met Services increasingly vital - SPREP

Meteorological officials from around the Pacific are meeting in Honiara this week ahead of a meeting by ministers in charge of met offices.

Kosi Latu said one issue that has been discussed is the need to extend or improve forecasting services to some of the smaller countries such as Tokelau and Niue.

He said these islands will need resources to build capacity which is now more likely given international interest in improving forecasting.

Media plays vital role in disaster preparedness for communities

Natural disasters include cyclones, flash floods, strong winds and El Nino.

Finland Pacific (FINPAC) project manager Christina Leala Gale said weather services need to improve on dealing with the media in order to effectively get their weather forecasts out to the communities. 

The FINPAC project is coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) on behalf of Pacific Island countries.

Waigani Convention on hazardous waste management begins

Nine of the 13 Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Members that are Parties to the Waigani Convention were present at the meeting. SPREP is the Secretariat of the Waigani Convention that entered into force in 2001.

SPREP to hold Twenty Sixth meeting of Officials in Samoa

The Meeting brings together the governing council of SPREP to discuss SPREP strategic issues and approve the 2016 work plan for the organisation.

A number of different issues will be discussed by the 14 Pacific island and 5 metropolitan member countries and partners of SPREP.  Over the three day meeting these include an update on the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC), Climate Finance, discussion on a new regional strategy on waste management and the development of the next SPREP Strategic Plan.

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Pacific region awash with asbestos

A survey has found that some South Pacific countries are awash with the hazardous building material which can lead to lung diseases or cancer.

The Pacific environment agency SPREP says that until now there's only been anecdotal evidence about the quantity and condition of asbestos in the region.

SPREP's Pacwaste project manager, Stewart Williams, says the survey, done with European Union assistance, found that the once-common building material is widespread, including in public buildings such as schools and hospitals.