Delegates from around the Indian Ocean rim are meeting to discuss the implications of future climate risk, with Australian authorities leading the way.

CSIRO has helped bring together a meeting of Indian Ocean Rim Climate Change Adaptation Officials, under the auspices of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The workshop, which is being co-organised by local authorities, was announced as part of a $1.175 million package during the IORA Council of Ministers’ Meeting in Perth last year.

The gathering will spread information, plans and practical ways to help communities, farmers, industries and governments get a handle on to climate changes expected around the Indian Ocean rim.

The region includes many small developing island states, which are put at particular risk due to their exposure, small size and low land masses.

The meeting will discuss what actions are being taken and determine possible options for the future.

Projected climate changes around the Indian Ocean rim include increases in temperature and extreme rainfall events, longer and stronger monsoon seasons, higher in sea levels, and increased probability of extreme wave heights.

Workshop participants will attend from countries including Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Yemen. There will also be representation from southern African states.

CSIRO, in conjunction with the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences, and with funding from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is running the international workshop in Chennai, India, from 1 to 3 April 2014.