The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Climate Center has achieved significant results in supporting tailored climate change responses in Peru, successfully combining technical cooperation with on-the-ground communication.
The Peru project team, consisting of researchers from the APEC Climate Center and Weatherpia, completed a 14-day local cooperation schedule, implementing an integrated support plan that combines technical system establishment with practical training for farmers.
This initiative is part of a public cooperation pilot project led by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) from December 2025 to October 2027, aimed at enhancing the climate crisis response capabilities of local communities in Peru by improving climate information services.
A key achievement of the project team was the '2026 Korea-Peru Climate Change Cooperation Forum' held in the capital, Lima. Organized at the request of the South Korean Embassy in Peru, the forum was attended by the head of the Peruvian Meteorological Agency, KOICA's Peru office, and over 80 climate experts from both countries.
During the forum, participants shared experiences in implementing national climate change adaptation policies and discussed improvements to climate information services and responses to El Niño. They proposed a model to translate South Korea's experiences into local execution plans for Peru's national policies.
Close support for local farmers was also highlighted. The project team visited key agricultural regions, including Puno (Acorra), Ayacucho (Acocro), and Lambayeque (Motupe), conducting a 'PGA Regional Farmers Capacity Building Workshop' for over 170 farmers.
The training included creating crop calendars that outline planting schedules for different crops and practical exercises using growing degree days, enabling farmers to apply climate information to their agricultural activities.
Institutional achievements were also realized through the establishment of local ordinances. In the Acocro region, a 'Local Ordinance for the Establishment of PGA' was enacted, marking the official launch of the region's first platform. Yujin Ho, a senior researcher at the APEC Climate Center and the project's overall coordinator, received recognition from local government leaders for his role in successfully establishing the platform.
This ordinance is significant as it provides a legal and institutional basis for local governments to operate the platform sustainably.
Additionally, the project team conducted an engaging 'PGA Awareness Campaign' in Acorra and Motupe, involving over 160 local residents through interactive quizzes and roulette games to raise interest in climate information.
Concrete discussions were also finalized to establish a sustainable self-reliance foundation. In collaboration with the Peruvian Meteorological Agency, a 'Communication Manual' for information providers and farmers will be developed, and a training program for meteorological staff in Korea will be organized.
Plans are underway to expand an information provision system using mobile messaging channels (WhatsApp) to ensure farmers who could not participate in the training can easily access climate information.
This project has positioned South Korea as a pivotal hub for climate prediction technology demonstration and dissemination in South America.
Yujin Ho stated, "This project actively supports the initiatives that the Peruvian Meteorological Agency aims to pursue based on local demand. While it may be challenging to see immediate changes in the behavior or productivity of conservative farmers, our primary goal is to create a system that recognizes the existence of climate information and ensures its continuous supply."
He added, "The Agricultural Climate Management Platform (PGA) is an initiative of the Peruvian Meteorological Agency, ensuring its continued operation locally even after the project's conclusion."
Hah Kyung-ja, director of the APEC Climate Center, emphasized, "This visit has solidified the framework for technological cooperation between the two countries and is meaningful in helping farmers utilize climate information in their daily lives. We will continue to support the center's climate prediction technology to effectively aid Peru in establishing proactive climate policies and enhancing farmers' climate resilience."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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