COCKBURN TOWN, Turks and Caicos Islands, Nov 13, CMC – President of the Meteorological Organization (WMO), Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, says across the globe, small islands developing states, including those in the Caribbean, live on the front line of weather, water, and the climate emergency.
Addressing the 70th session of the Caribbean Meteorological Council (CMC), ending here on Friday, Al Mandous, the first ever WMO president to participate in a session of the regional council, said he was recently in Tonga where similar concerns had been raised.
He said that whether it is the Caribbean or the Pacific Islands nation, people “are speaking with one voice, and the WMO is listening”.
He said that the Caribbean Meteorological Organization(CMO) is a strong example to the whole WMO for importance of collective action, adding that “regional ministerial mechanism gives our scientific community a direct voice at the ministerial table, turning technical priorities into political commitment, and making the strong case of enough and sustained fundings.
“In short, empowered national meteorological and hydrological services deliver positive impact and greater national resilience,” Al Mandou said, acknowledging the significant support of the cruise Caribbean 2.0 initiative, mplementing by the WMO and UNDRR (United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction), to turn regional ambition for early warning into operational reality.”
Al Mandous said that he also wanted to commend the systematic observations financing facilities, which is supporting 16 countries in the region, together with the UN development programme and World Food Programme and the Inter-American Development Bank.
He said he also recognised the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) “for their landmark approval” of their US$24 million project to scale up Caribbean hydrometeorological and multi-hazard early warning services in Bliis and Trinidad and Tobago. “Let us build on this partnership to invest in resilient multi-hazard early warning system that serves all,” Al Mandous said, recalling that at the last global meeting “we framed a strategic course for 2028 to 2031 strategic plan.
“As we look forward to the EC81 and the 20th World Meteorological Congress in 2027, I encourage CMO members to inform your priorities through regional association forum and through your representation in the Executive Council at the upcoming WMO Congress,” he said, disclosing that changes are being considered for the WMO governors.
Al Mandou said the UN Joint Inspection Unit has recommended a blueprint for reform, adding “this is an opportunity for us to adapt more modern, agile, streamlined and accountable structure to serve all our partners and members.
“I encourage CMO members to capitalise on this timely opportunity to drive meaningful transformation across WMO,” Al Mandou said, noting that the 75th anniversary year of the CMO “marks not just a historic milestone but a vital launchpad for your collective resilience.
“Let us continue to work together as WMO and CMO to meet the needs of our CMO members by expanding Caribbean early warning for all, utilising the opportunity of AI and strengthening the backbone of our infrastructure,” he said.
CMO coordinating director, Dr. Arlene Laing, said that the Caribbean experiences many weather, climate and water-related hazards, which is why strong meteorological services are vital for public safety and economic development.
The two-day meeting is also being attended by representatives from the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), The University of the West Indies (UWI), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and UNDRR.
CMC/jh/ir/2026