St. George’s, Grenada, May 23, 2025
On May 22nd and 23rd, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the International Research Institute for Climate and Society at Columbia University, and the Grenada Meteorological Service, will host the 2025 Wet and Hurricane Season Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) in St. George’s, Grenada.
Held prior to the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1, the Stakeholder Forum brings together meteorologists, climatologists, disaster risk managers, and decision-makers from across the region. The forum will focus on seasonal and sub-seasonal forecasts of rainfall, heatwaves, tropical cyclone activity, and drought, critical products for national planning and disaster risk reduction, especially as climate-related threats continue to rise across the Caribbean.
Special sessions will examine how climate early warning information can be better integrated into sectoral policies and planning, particularly in the health, water, agriculture, and disaster management sectors.
Mr. Alva Browne, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transportation, welcomed the forum and emphasized the urgency of regional collaboration in the face of escalating climate risks. He noted that CariCOF exemplifies homegrown innovation, where science, community, and leadership come together to build climate resilience. He also highlighted the importance of tools like the Common Alerting Protocol, which are transforming how the region protects live and livelihoods by ensuring timely, consistent, and accessible warnings for all.
These sentiments were echoed by Mr. Gerard Tamar, Acting Chief Meteorological Officer of the Grenada Meteorological Service, who noted CariCOF plays a vital role in uniting the entire climate services value chain, from funders and forecasters to those who deliver and use climate information. He pointed out that the forum provides a rare opportunity for real-time exchange between technical experts and end-users, helping to ensure that climate information is not only scientifically sound but also practical and responsive to the needs of those exposed to climate impacts.
Mr. Adrian Trotman, Chief of Applied Meteorology and Climatology and Head of the Caribbean Regional Climate Centre at CIMH, underscored the value of the forum stating “CariCOF is a vital platform for equipping our region with the tools and knowledge to manage the impacts of a changing climate. This collaboration ensures that science informs decision-making in climate-sensitive sectors contributing to regional resilience efforts.”
The Forum is supported by the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, in partnership with the European Union. Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Head of the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, affirmed the EU’s support emphasizing “I am very happy that in the wake of the hurricane season, work is being done as we speak to support the region in boosting forecasting capacities. The European Union is committed to the continued support of the Caribbean —not only in the face of whatever the upcoming season may bring, but also in your long-term efforts.”
The Stakeholder Forum follows a series of activities held from May 19–21, including technical training for meteorologists, a regional media and climate communication workshop, and the 12th Meeting of the Consortium of EWISACTs Coordination Partners.
Held biannually, CariCOF continues to demonstrate the Caribbean’s commitment to using science-based information to protect lives, livelihoods, ecosystems, and economies from escalating climate extremes.