The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Hong Gi-hoon) announced that it held a workshop on marine observation data processing for ocean and climate forecasts in the CPPS* area from October 24 to 26 (Tuesday to Thursday).
* Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS): an international organization founded in 1952 that coordinates regional maritime policies in an effort to adopt concerted positions of its four member countries？Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile？and fosters its members’ capacities in the fields of science, society, economic policy, and environment

Co-hosted by KIOST, KOPE-LAR**, and the CPPS, the workshop was held to discuss the creation of an ocean database to assist in the forecasting of El Nino, La Nina, and other climate change issues.
** An organization for ocean science and technology development that was created by the South Korean and Peruvian governments and is jointly operated by the Instituto del Mar del Peru (IMARPE) and KIOST

In the opening ceremony for the workshop, Hector Soldi, the Vice Minister of Production in Peru, spoke about the importance of marine observation and climate change forecasts and expressed his hope that South Korea and Central and South America will cooperate and work together to improve their abilities to address climate change. Next, Javier Gaviola, the director of the Institute del Mar de Peru (IMARPE), also emphasized the importance of forecasting, addressing El Nino, La Nina, and other climate change events, and the capacity to respond to them. In particular, Jang Keun-ho, the Korean ambassador to Peru, stressed the importance of both Korea and Peru working together as strategic partners with the aim of improving the related scientific knowledge to cope with climate change issues across the world.

KIOST President Hong Gi-hoon remarked, “I believe that, through this workshop, the research areas that Korea pursues will be expanded to include climate change, which has been affecting the economy of all CPPS member countries.” He then went on to add, “KIOST and KOPE-LAR will grow to serve as a bridge by promoting cooperation in marine research between Korea and Central and South America.”

The CPPS region is greatly affected by climate change in terms of social and economic factors, including marine resources, water shortages, flooding, and coastal disasters. Climate change forecasting is thus of utmost importance in the region. Since Korea is heavily plagued by El Nino, scholars have argued that studying the East Pacific region, which is under the jurisdiction of the CPPS member countries, is necessary for Koreans to better forecast climate changes in the future.