As a result of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) decision in 1999, the GCOS Secretariat was directed to establish a series of workshops for developing nations. The intent of these workshops was to aid in the establishment of a sustainability in-situ climate observing system across the globe. The first of these workshops was held in Apia, Samoa, from 14-15 August 2000, and included participation from all members of the climate observing authorities in the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) based in Apia, as well as participation from the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) based in Nadi, Fiji.

This paper will describe the efforts to develop a proactive approach in the South Pacific region towards an action and implementation planning process with the goal of obtaining a sustainable and robust GCOS observing network for atmospheric, oceanographic, and terrestrial climate observing in the region. The paper will describe the actions to date, plans for the future, and how the efforts of the Pacific Islands Regional GCOS Implementation Team (PIRGIT) combine with related efforts such as the establishment of a virtual Regional Climate Center for the region in order to commence tailored regional and climate forecast products for the nations in the region.