ENSO effects in the tropical Pacific to other basins as well as higher latitudes. To advance our understanding of Pacific climate variability, further modeling, long-term observations and process studies are needed to relate seasonal-to-decadal variations of the Asian-Australian Monsoon system with to variation of the ocean circulation in the western Pacific and Maritime Continent region. The participants recognized that a climate observing system called TOGA/TAO is deployed in the equatorial Pacific, which is highly valuable scientifically and very important for society. The present TAO array is maintained by multinational cooperation. It is necessary to maintain, expand and enhance such a climate observing system in order to contribute to the sustainable development of humankind. The participants warmly welcomed and strongly endorsed the project proposed by JAMSTEC/STA, tentatively named the Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network (TRITON), in the western Pacific and the eastern Indian Ocean where the interaction of the ocean with the Monsoon system is of great practical importance.
This workshop was so successful that we could understand various research activities in each nations, discuss scientific goals, and finally adopt such fruitful conference statement. The outcome from the workshop was reported in the Fifth-CLIVAR SSG (Scientific Steering Group) in Sapporo. The SSG participants also welcomed and endorsed the TRITON project proposed by JAMSTEC. We had a favorable letter endorsing the TRITON buoy program from the co-chairs of the CLIVAR SSG as shown in annex in this volume. Lastly, we acknowledge all participants and staff who made the workshop a success.
