21 September 2017: Capacity-building workshops that took place over the course of the past week aimed to strengthen climate services in the Pacific, and South and Southeast Asia, and sought to enhance synergies among various agencies to accelerate technology transfer.

The Australian Aid-funded Climate and Oceans Support Programme for the Pacific (COSPPac) project conducted specialized training for Pacific climate officers on the use of the Seasonal Climate Outlooks in Pacific Islands Countries (SCOPIC) tool in Vailima, Samoa, from 18-21 September 2017. SCOPIC is a decision making support tool that generates seasonal outlooks for rainfall, temperature and other climate-related factors relevant for the Pacific region. SCOPIC is supported by the Government of Australia.

The SCOPIC training was conducted in preparation for the Third Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (PICOF-3), to be held in Apia, Samoa, from 27-29 September 2017. Organized by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and partners, PICOF-3 is expected to focus on the health sector. [SPREP Press Release] [PICOFs Webpage]

Scientists from South and Southeast Asia launched an agenda to boost community involvement in developing climate information and extension messaging services across the region.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID), on behalf of the Climate Services for Resilient Development (CSRD), and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), together with South Asian CSRD partners, conducted a three-day workshop in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from 17-19 September 2017. Scientists from South and Southeast Asia evaluated how climate and agricultural extension advisories are currently produced and conveyed, and identified opportunities on how to improve these services for farming communities in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam. They also launched an agenda to boost community involvement in developing climate information and extension messaging services across the region.

CSRD brings together public and private organizations and agencies to enhance climate resilience and climate-smart policies and practices throughout the world, particularly in developing countries. [CIMMYT Press Release] [CIMMYT Workshop Announcement] [CSRD Website]

The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and partners held a workshop in Saly, Senegal, from 19-20 September 2017 on how to mainstream technology in climate action plans. The workshop brought together CTCN National Designated Entities (NDEs), representatives from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), as well as officials responsible for country Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to discuss country priorities and ways to strengthen synergies to accelerate technology transfer.

The CTCN is the implementation arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, hosted by UN Environment (UNEP) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). [CTCN Press Release]

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The SDG Knowledge Hub publishes regular capacity building and technology updates that can be found under the tag Climate Change Capacity Building and Technology Update.