The call for nominations for the Pacific Meteorological Council (PMC) Awards 2026 is officially open.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), as the PMC Secretariat, invites Members and partners to nominate those whose service has shaped weather, climate, hydrology, and related environmental services across our Blue Pacific.
The PMC Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions to weather, climate, hydrology, and other related environmental services in the Pacific region.
They honour individuals, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) institutions, partner organisations, and development partners whose dedication over many years has strengthened these services, while inspiring the next generation of Pacific professionals working in these fields.
“We are pleased to be able to host the Pacific Met Council Awards for this year’s meeting, to recognise and pay tribute to those who have made significant contributions to their countries and our Pacific region as a whole,” said SPREP Director of Climate Science and Information Programme, Salesa Nihmei.
“These six categories seek to honour outstanding individuals, groups and organisations, in what is often an overlooked field until critical and emergency hydro-met services are required for life-saving information and action mobilisation. We look forward to awarding the well-deserved 2026 recipients of these awards in Tonga this September.”
First presented at the Fifth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting (PMC-5) in Apia, Samoa, in 2019, the Awards paid tribute to pioneers, long-serving officers, institutions, and partners across the region.
This year’s Awards will build on that legacy, with awardees to be celebrated at a special PMC Awards Ceremony during the Eighth Pacific Meteorological Council Meeting (PMC-8) and the Fourth Pacific Ministerial Meeting on Meteorology (PMMM-4), to be held in Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga, from 10 to 16 September 2026.
Nominations are invited across six award categories:
Lifetime Award – recognising individuals whose immense and sustained contributions to the Pacific region, including those who have retired or passed on, have left a lasting legacy of mentorship and founding contributions.
Long Service Award – acknowledging individuals whose perseverance, leadership, and ongoing dedication over many years has moulded the development of weather, climate, hydrology, and related environmental services in the region.
National Development Award – recognising individuals or groups that have led significant development of their NMHS institutions, including institutional establishment, capacity building, and service delivery milestones.
Outstanding Individual / Group Contribution Award – honouring those whose exceptional service, leadership, and active engagement have driven the development of weather, climate, hydrology, and related environmental services in the region.
Innovation & Research Contribution Award – celebrating individuals or groups whose outstanding and innovative research has advanced weather, climate, hydrology, and related environmental services, including work on traditional knowledge, climate change, and adaptation.
Regional Contribution Award – recognising organisations, institutions, and partner agencies whose project support, technical assistance, and long-term investment have strengthened these services at the development of the National Meteorological Services.
Nominations are open from 10 July 2026 and will close on 10 August 2026.
Nominations may be submitted by PMC Members and partners using the online nomination form – https://www.pacificmet.net/form/pmc-8-awards-nomination-form
