World Meteorological Day |23 March 2021

Minister Joubert

Oceanic processes key components of global prediction models, says Minister Joubert

“Oceanic processes have become key components of global prediction models as we have come to better understand their roles and magnitude in affecting the global climate.”

Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Minister Flavien Joubert said this in his message to celebrate World Meteorological Day, today, Tuesday March 23, 2021, under the theme ‘The Ocean, Our Climate and Weather’.

Minister Joubert added that it is for the same reason that the Seychelles Meteorological Authority (SMA) has built and continues to maintain an observation network not only on land, but at sea.

“These instruments allow us to collect critical data for the purpose of deriving better predictions and to contribute towards research within the field of blue economy, thus allowing for better, evidence-based decision-making, supported by the efforts of the SMA in the marine meteorology field. This effort is essential as we are a small island state, surrounded by a vast oceanic territory,” said Minister Joubert who also quoted the secretary general of the United Nations António Guterres in his message on World Meteorological Day 2020, “We cannot manage what we do not measure”.

Minister Joubert added that in the past, we may not have concerned ourselves much with meteorology and climate, however, with the increasingly noticeable impacts of climate change reaching our shores, we must double down on our efforts to understand these complex systems.

On that note, he announced that Seychelles will benefit from a Green Climate Fund, a funded project called ‘Building Regional Resilience through Strengthened Meteorological, Hydrological and Climate Services in Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) member countries’, which the Green Climate Fund approved at last week’s first board meeting for 2021. This will result in a more expansive/robust observation network, better predictions from the Seychelles Meteorological Authority and an enhanced national and regional capacity to investigate and understand climate change and its associated impacts in the Indian Ocean.

The minister has entrusted the Seychelles Meteorological Authority with the responsibility to deliver on these goals and to empower its young, dynamic team to push the boundaries further than ever before.

Minister Joubert also recognises the Seychelles Meteorological Authority’s challenge to recruit and retain local staff in forecasting and scientific roles, however, he said he is confident that the authority will make considerable improvements in this area.

“I would like to encourage the young Seychellois meteorologists who have returned recently to continue to work hard and to continue making us proud. Their successful training is testament to the efforts the SMA is making and is evidence of the fact that it is on the right track. I expect for it to have a bright future, should it continue on this path,” said Minister Joubert.

The minister has also made an appeal to the public at large, to all Seychellois, to come forward and support the Seychelles Meteorological Authority by taking part in the field of meteorology.

He said he believes in partnership, collaboration and solidarity and remains convinced that this is the way forward for our society.

“Through this partnership, we shall be able to share a common goal, speak a common language and each of us shall be able to contribute, one way or another, towards the prosperous, sustainable development of our beloved Seychelles. Thank you and Happy World Meteorological Day,” said Minister Joubert.