Honiara, Solomon Islands: The Advancing Meteorological Observations System for Resilient Development (AMOS RD) Project Document has been signed in Honiara, launching a US$8.4 million initiative to strengthen meteorological services and better protect the Solomon Islands’ population of over 800,000 from extreme weather events.

Implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), the project is funded by the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and runs until July 2029.

AMOS RD will enhance early warning systems and disaster risk reduction by ensuring the Solomon Islands Meteorological Services (SIMS) meets Global Basic Observing Network (GBON) standards for improved weather data. The project prioritises refurbishing weather stations throughout the country to enhance monitoring infrastructure and processes to provide higher-quality, more reliable meteorological data for the Solomon Islands.

Currently, SIMS maintains seven weather stations and 12 automatic stations, though several are no longer operational. AMOS RD will address this by installing three new upper-air stations, rehabilitating 8 surface stations and strengthening human and institutional capacity for effective data collection and exchange.

By improving forecasting capabilities, the project will help safeguard lives and livelihoods across the country’s 900+ islands, benefiting key sectors like agriculture, fishing, and maritime transport, which are central to the economy and food security.

Hon. Trevor Hedley Mahaga, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, said:

"Reliable, high-quality weather data is crucial for our resilience and development here in Solomon Islands. Through AMOS RD, we are taking a significant step towards global standards while addressing local needs."

Markus Repnik, Director of the SOFF Secretariat, added:

"By partnering with Australia's Bureau of Meteorology as peer advisor and UNDP as the implementing entity, this SOFF investment represents exactly what SOFF aims to achieve - strengthening national meteorological. Closing this data gap is a significant contribution to better weather and climate forecasts for Solomon Islands, but also contributes to a global public good for the whole globe.”

Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Pacific Resident Representative, said:

“By strengthening infrastructure and expertise, this project will enable Solomon Islands to contribute more effectively to regional and global weather forecasting and climate monitoring. Through AMOS RD, we're not just installing weather stations – we're building lasting capacity to enhance the country's resilience to climate change and extreme weather events.”

This marks a crucial step towards a more resilient Solomon Islands, ensuring communities across the nation have access to timely, reliable weather information

For more information contact:

Nick Turner | Strategic Communications and Advocacy Specialist, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | nicholas.turner@undp.org