State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 Report Launch

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(Europe/Zurich: 05 June 2025, 08:00 - 09:00)
Past event

Climate change threatens the future of Pacific islands. In this context, the State of the Climate in the South-West Pacific 2024 Report is an effort to bridge gaps between climate science and disaster risk management through evidence-based policy proposals. It is the result of a collaboration between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of WMO Members in the region and beyond, the WMO Secretariat, and other United Nations (UN) entities in the region.

The Report provides details on temperatures, precipitation, tropical cyclones, sea surface temperatures, and extreme events and their socio-economic impacts throughout the region over the course of last year. Climate change continues to accelerate: 2024 was the warmest year on record in the South-West Pacific region, ocean warming reached unprecedented levels, and sea level rise exceeded the global average. Extreme heat affected large parts of the region and widespread extreme rainfall and flooding caused deadly and destructive impacts. The late 2024 tropical cyclone season in the Philippines was also unprecedented, with 12 storms during September–November — more than double the average.

The Report, part of WMO’s annual global and regional climate series, informs decision-makers and the public about recent climate variability and its impacts. By placing these events in a long-term context and drawing from authoritative sources, it underlines the urgency of action.

WMO and its partners remain committed to supporting climate ambition, including expanding Early Warnings for All as a key adaptation strategy to ensure no one is left behind.

Programme

Welcome by the moderator and background

  • Ben Churchill – Director, Regional Office for Asia and the South-West Pacific, WMO

Welcome remarks

  • Ko Barrett – Deputy Secretary-General, WMO 

 Key messages from the Report

  • Dr Thea Turkington – Lead Author, WMO Expert, Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS)
  • Dr Blair Trewin – Lead Author, WMO Expert, Bureau of Meteorology Australia (BoM) 

 Partner perspective

  • Catherine Jones – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
  • Juhi Bansal – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Regional Collaboration Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RCC Asia Pacific) 

Q&A

Discussion facilitated by the moderator

Closing

  • Wrap up by the moderator and closing remarks by the Deputy Secretary-General
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