Formerly a stand-alone organization, in 2011 SOPAC became the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. SOPAC works in areas such […]

An intergovernmental organisation working on behalf of the governments and administrations of the Pacific region to ensure the protection and sustainable development of the regionÕs environment. […]

The state of being free from danger or threat

An international non-governmental conservation organisation that works in 100 countries. Its mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of […]

Sulphur hexafluoride.

Small island developing States.

The average height (trough to crest) of the 1/3rd highest waves. An experienced observer will most frequently report the highest 1/3rd of the waves observed.

Any process, activity or mechanism which removes a greenhouse gas, an aerosol or a precursor of a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Forests and other vegetation […]

A distinct group of 52 small developing island states facing specific social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities. SIDS were recognised as a special case by the UN […]

Small Island States Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Social development theory attempts to explain qualitative changes in the structure and framework of society, that help the society to better realize its aims and objectives. […]

The ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to and recover from the effects of a hazard in a […]

Radiation emitted by the Sun. Also known as short-wave radiation. Solar radiation has a distinctive spectrum (i.e., range of wavelengths) governed by the temperature of the […]

A programme funded by the UNDP from 1994-2000 to assist Pacific island countries to improve their capacity to manage the effects of natural disasters effectively and […]

Established by United Nations Disaster Relief Organization (now OCHA) in the early 1990s, the SPPO assisted in the early development of disaster management in the Pacific […]

A trade agreement in which Australia and New Zealand offer duty-free and unrestricted access for specified products originating from the developing island member countries of the […]

Established in 1983 as the Tourism Council of the South Pacific, the SPTO is the mandated intergovernmental organisation for the tourism sector in the South Pacific. […]

The science and technology of space travel and exploration

The SCCF was established to finance projects relating to adaptation; technology transfer and capacity building; energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry and waste management; and economic diversification. […]

Reverberations in developing countries caused by actions taken by developed countries to cut greenhouse-gas emissions. For example, emissions reductions in developed countries could lower demand for […]

Procedures showing in detail how tasks are to be performed in specific situations. Commonly known as SOPs.

Identifying and storing supplies to meet relief needs.

Atmospheric disturbance involving strong agitation of prevailing pressure and wind fields.

A sudden rise of sea level as a result of high winds and low atmospheric pressure; sometimes called a storm tide, storm wave, or tidal wave.

An integrated Pacific regional strategy for DRM and Climate Change which will become effective in 2016. The strategy aims to provide guidance on enhancing the resilience […]

The highly stratified and stable region of the atmosphere above the troposphere (q.v.) extending from about 10 km to about 50 km.

The safety of constructed facilities,Ê whether fixed or moveable, temporary or permanent, including: buildings, masts, towers, framework, pipelines, roads, bridges, rail infrastructure and underground works.

Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI)

The SBSTA serves as a link between information and assessments provided by expert sources (such as the IPCC) and the COP, which focuses on setting policy.

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The amount by which it is possible to reduce GHG emissions or improve energy efficiency by using a technology or practice in all applications in which […]

Relating to orÊusingÊtechnology:

A hazard resulting from the use of technology for manufacturing, mining, processing, transport or storage.

A broad set of processes covering the flows of know-how, experience and equipment for mitigating and adapting to climate change among different stakeholders.

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across Asia. Its programs address critical issues such as governance and law, economic […]

The region in the worldÕs ocean, typically at a depth of 1 km, where temperature decreases rapidly with depth and which marks the boundary between the […]

Large-scale density-driven circulation in the oceans, driven by differences in temperature and salinity.

Description

The periodic rising and falling of the earth’s oceans and atmosphere resulting from the gravitational forces of the moon and sun acting upon the rotating earth. […]

Annual tabulations of daily predictions of the times and heights of high and low water at various places. Such tables are constructed from astronomical data and […]

The commercial organization and operation of holidays and visits to places of interest:

Long-standing traditions and practices of regional, indigenous, or local communities.

Teaching defined skills.

A system or means of conveying people or goods from place to place

One of the 5 regional bodies of the WMO’s Weather and Disaster Risk Reduction Services Department Tropical Cyclone Programme. It shares responsibilities for cyclone warning services […]

Any regional centre participating in the WMO Tropical Cyclone Programme, a programme tasked to establish national and regionally coordinated systems to ensure that the loss of […]

The lowest part of the atmosphere from the surface to about 10 km in altitude in mid-latitudes (ranging from about 9 km in high latitudes to […]

Lowermost layer of the atmosphere in which air temperature falls steadily with increasing altitude. All weather occurs in the troposphere.

A seismic sea wave generated by displacement of the seafloor by a volcano, earthquake and or landslide, which causes the formation of a small group of […]

A tailored collection of resources to help Pacific Island countries prepare for the deadly and destructive potential of tsunamis

A regional commission of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. It works to overcome some of the regions greatest challenges and enhance economic cooperation among […]

A United Nations agency responsible for mobilising and coordinating humanitarian response to disasters and emergencies. The agencyÕs activities include organisation and monitoring of humanitarian funding, information […]

A standard format through which Parties submit information on activities implemented jointly under the Convention.

An international organisation established in October 24, 1945. The UN is worldwide in scope and membership with 193 member states. It objectives include maintaining international peace […]

A United Nations program that provides long-term humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries. Its services involve providing emergency food, healthcare and […]

A major international conference held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 to reconcile worldwide economic development with protection of the environment. By means of treaties and […]

Informally known as Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was the 3rd international conference on sustainable development aimed at reconciling the economic and environmental […]

An intergovernmental body and principal organ of the United Nations General Assembly responsible for dealing with development issues, in particular international trade. It promotes development through […]

Formerly a stand-alone UN organisation, UNDHA merged into the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in 1998. It was concerned with the UNÕs […]

An organisation established as the United NationsÕ global development network. It assists countries to eradicate poverty, achieve sustainable human development, build climate and disaster resilience, and […]

UNDAC is part of the international emergency response system for sudden-onset emergencies. It is designed to help the UN and governments of disaster-affected countries during the […]

An agency of the United Nations that coordinates its environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmental policies and practices. It serves as an authoritative advocate […]

An international environmental treaty negotiated at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and now with 195 Parties to the Convention. The objective of […]

A framework for international cooperation to combat climate change negotiated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 and enforced in March 1994.

A United Nations agency established to promote and accelerate industrial development in developing countries and international industrial cooperation. The organisation works towards improving quality of life […]

The Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Its functions include ensuring disaster risk reduction is applied to climate change adaptation, increasing investments, building disaster […]

A United Nations program under the auspices of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. It functions as a platform that facilitates the use of […]

The United States Government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. It aims to end extreme poverty and to promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing […]

A specialised agency of the United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system. With its 192 member countries, […]

An intergovernmental organisation and public research university with a number of locations spread throughout Oceania. It is the premier provider of tertiary education and centre for […]

Measurement and management of urban hazards and vulnerability in order to improve awareness and local capacity to effectively reduce disaster risk.

Any one of several organic compounds which are released to the atmosphere by plants or through vaporization of oil products, and which are chemically reactive and […]

An opening in the earthÕs crust that allows gas, ash or molten lava to be ejected from the earthÕs surface.

A draft article considered during the negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol that would have permitted developing countries to voluntarily adhere to legally binding emissions targets. The […]

Measures to reduce GHG emissions that are adopted by firms or other actors in the absence of government mandates. Voluntary measures help make climate-friendly products or […]

The degree of sensitivity to the impact of hazards.

Populations susceptible to the damaging effects of a hazard, for a variety of physical, social, economic, and environmental reasons.

A colourless, transparent, odourless, liquid which forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms:

Analysing existing atmospheric conditions to forecast weather for a specified area and period.

A treaty-based organisation established to conserve and manage tuna and other highly migratory fish stocks across the western and central areas of the Pacific Ocean.

A document that consulting firms use to organise a project. It outlines the plan by which the company plans to complete a quality project within a […]

A United Nations international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programs. The World BankÕs official goal is the reduction of poverty.

An independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. It represents 179 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively […]

A leftist-oriented international labour organisation established by the World Trade Union Congress. The largest affiliates are the developing nations of Asia, Latin America and Africa.

A specialised agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. Its main areas of work include: health systems, promoting health through the […]

A specialised agency of the United Nations established as a global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation. Its mission is to lead the […]

A specialised agency of the United Nations for meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It is the UNÕs authoritative voice on the state and behaviour […]

A summit held in 2002 where sustainable development was reaffirmed as a central component of the international agenda. A wide range of targets and concrete commitments […]

The United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It is the international organisation in the field of tourism which […]

An intergovernmental organisation which regulates international trade. It serves to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct business.

Young people, primarily under age 21