'Shared values' see Pacific Forum increase partnerships with Middle East countries

The Pacific Ocean, heated to record levels by El Niño, is driving a wave of intense and unpredictable storms across East Asia. In October, nearly all of Taiwan was forced to shut down as Typhoon Champi approached the island, though it missed landfall. The same storm caused widespread disruption in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan, cancelling hundreds of flights and dousing the region in rain.

In the Philippines' Batanes archipelago, huge waves crashed onto the coast and power was cut to 15,000 homes in southern Japan's Okinawa islands. This year's El Niño, the strongest in living memory, is expected to last until February or March. Japan experienced two storms simultaneously in June, forcing one million people to evacuate.

Typhoon Dolphin, a super typhoon, hit eastern China, triggering heavy floods and dozens of casualties. Typhoon Saudel made landfall in three south-eastern Chinese cities over one week, disrupting transport networks and forcing thousands to evacuate. El Niño is causing typhoons to form further east and become stronger as they remain over warm waters for longer.

Sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific have soared to 4C above normal, the highest since records began in 1949. This raises concerns about the heightened risks of flooding and landslides in a region already prone to such disasters. Governments are preparing for the immediate impact by urging citizens to stockpile essentials, upgrading warning systems, and increasing support for farmers. However, long-term solutions are uncertain as the window for action is closing.