Mauri and Welcome to SOFF Project

 

Here's some background information of SOFF Project in Kiribati:

The Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) is a global initiative designed to support countries—especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs)—in strengthening their capacity for weather and climate observations.

As part of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) framework, SOFF provides long-term, grant-based funding and technical support to improve the generation and sharing of essential weather, climate, and hydrological data. This is critical for accurate weather forecasting, climate monitoring, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development.

SOFF Project Background

SOFF in the Context of Kiribati

The Kiribati Meteorological Services (KMS) plays a vital role in protecting lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems through timely and accurate climate and weather information. However, like many small island nations, Kiribati faces unique challenges, including:

  • Limited observing infrastructure
  • Vulnerability to extreme weather events and rising sea levels
  • Resource constraints in maintaining modern meteorological equipment and systems

Through the SOFF project, Kiribati aims to strengthen its ground-based observing systems and ensure that its observational data contribute to and benefit from the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON)—a WMO standard for essential climate observations.

 

Project Goals and Activities

The SOFF initiative in Kiribati focuses on:

  • Upgrading weather observation infrastructure, such as automatic weather stations (AWS)
  • Training and capacity building for KMS staff in data collection, quality control, and reporting
  • Ensuring data interoperability and integration with international climate databases
  • Strengthening regional collaboration with other Pacific island meteorological services
 

Benefits to Kiribati and the Pacific Region

By participating in the SOFF initiative, Kiribati will:

  • Improve early warning systems and climate resilience
  • Strengthen the country’s role in regional and global climate monitoring networks
  • Access better forecasts that support agriculture, fisheries, water resource management, and disaster risk planning
  • Contribute to global efforts to combat climate change through shared, high-quality data
 

Partnership and Support

The SOFF Project is supported by a broad coalition of partners, including:

  • World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Multilateral development banks
  • Regional and national meteorological agencies

For Kiribati, technical implementation is carried out in partnership with regional bodies such as the SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme) and PIFS (Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat).

 

ClimSA Project – Overview and Background

Introduction

The ClimSA Project (Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications) is a major initiative funded by the European Union aimed at improving the generation, provision, and use of climate information and services in African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries — including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Kiribati.

By strengthening national and regional climate services, ClimSA empowers governments and communities to make better-informed decisions in the face of increasing climate variability and long-term climate change.

Background

Small island nations in the Pacific are among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. Rising sea levels, more frequent extreme weather events, droughts, and shifting rainfall patterns have major impacts on food security, water availability, public health, and disaster preparedness.

In response, the ClimSA Project was launched to:

  • Enhance the technical and institutional capacity of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs)

  • Improve access to climate data and analysis tools

  • Support climate-informed planning and risk management

ClimSA is coordinated globally by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with regional implementation through institutions such as the SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme) for the Pacific.

ClimSA Activities in Kiribati

The Kiribati Meteorological Services (KMS) plays a central role in implementing ClimSA activities nationally. Key areas of focus include:

  • Improving climate observation systems and data collection

  • Developing user-focused climate services for sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, health, and disaster risk reduction

  • Training and upskilling staff in climate data analysis, modeling, and forecasting

  • Enhancing communication of seasonal forecasts and early warnings to communities

The project promotes co-design and co-production of climate services — meaning users and providers work together to ensure services are relevant, understandable, and actionable.

Expected Outcomes for Kiribati

Through ClimSA, Kiribati aims to:

  • Increase climate resilience and preparedness at the national and community levels

  • Provide reliable, timely, and localized climate information to decision-makers

  • Improve early warning systems and planning tools for sectors vulnerable to climate impacts

  • Strengthen collaboration between KMS, regional organizations, and local stakeholders

Regional and Global Partnerships

ClimSA is funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), with technical oversight by the WMO and partnerships across:

  • SPREP (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

  • ACP Secretariat

  • National Meteorological Services (like KMS)

  • Civil society, academia, and development partners