The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the University of Colorado Boulder, hosted the second regional seminar on El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and its implications for climate services across the Americas. Held on December 3, 2025, the event brought together hundreds of participants from across the continent, reflecting the growing interest in strengthening the interfaces between science and policy for climate resilience.
Anna Stewart-Ibarra, Executive Director of the IAI, opened the session by emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to make scientific knowledge accessible for decision-making. “This initiative responds to the priorities identified by our member countries: strengthening climate services and understanding the uncertainties and impacts of ENSO events,” she said.
The webinar featured a keynote presentation by Shang-Ping Xie, a leading climate scientist at the University of California San Diego, who shared innovative insights into the dynamics of the 2023 El Niño phenomenon. His analysis revealed that, unlike previous strong El Niño episodes, the 2023 phenomenon developed with weak westerly wind anomalies, challenging traditional assumptions about the predictability of ENSO. Xie highlighted the role of La Niña preconditions and inter-basin interactions, emphasizing the need to consider global links between the oceans and the atmosphere in future forecasts.
Following the scientific session, two interactive panels showcased national and sectoral experiences in applying ENSO information:
- National Climate Services Panel: Experts from El Salvador, Argentina, and Colombia shared strategies for integrating ENSO forecasts into risk management and agricultural planning. Jacquelyn Rivera (El Salvador) presented the country’s pioneering work on impact-based forecasting, while Pedro DiNezio (Argentina) highlighted the importance of post-event assessments to improve prediction models. Julieta Cerna (Colombia) discussed advances in ENSO monitoring and communication, highlighting the challenges posed by evolving ocean patterns.
- Sectoral Climate Services Panel: Representatives from Peru, Cuba, and Costa Rica illustrated how ENSO information supports agricultural, health, and energy systems. Irene Trebejo (Peru) showed the success of agroclimatic technical tables and community platforms, while Pablo Ortiz (Cuba) demonstrated how climate-health models anticipate disease outbreaks. Berni Fallas (Costa Rica) explained how ENSO forecasts guide energy planning in a country that relies heavily on hydroelectric power.
The discussions reinforced a key message: ENSO is no longer a phenomenon limited to the tropical Pacific and is determined by interactions between basins and global warming trends. Participants agreed on the urgency of developing regional definitions and indices, improving forecast resolution, and promoting the joint design of climate services with end users.
Concluding the session, Stewart-Ibarra called for continued collaboration: “By strengthening the links between science, meteorological services, and sectors such as health, energy, and agriculture, we can improve resilience and well-being throughout the Americas.”
You can watch the full recording here.
See the agenda here.
