From 30 October to 10 November 2023, two technical experts from WMO/RIC Tsukuba and one from JMA Headquarters paid a visit to the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) to attend a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Third Country Training Program called Sustained Activity of FMS for Developing Capacities for Meteorological Services in the South Pacific. The program provides technical training based on collaboration between FMS and JMA for eight WMO Members in Oceania (the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Fiji).
FMS technical staff trained at RIC Tsukuba in 2015, 2016 and 2018 gave overviews of surface observation, observation instruments and related calibration, and provided practical training on inspection and calibration of thermometers, barometers and hygrometers with RIC Tsukuba supervision. The trainees brought their own traveling standard instruments and operational instruments for comparison to FMS standards, and 14 Calibration Certificates were issued as a result. Particular focus was placed on the importance of regular calibration and inspection for quality-assured observation with international traceability.
The RIC Tsukuba contingent also followed up on FMS activity relating to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation since the previous training held in September and October 2018 at FMS. FMS continues to improve based on efforts relating to observation and calibration in the South Pacific region, and RIC Tsukuba remains committed to its support for such activities.
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| Thermometer calibration | Barometer calibration |
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| Field activity involving automatic weather station (AWS) inspection | Completion ceremony |
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