The increasing demand for improved knowledge and information across the weather-climate continuum is well-documented. To help meet these needs, the 3rd U.N. World Climate Conference (2009) launched the Global Framework on Climate Services (GFCS). This presentation will outline the evolution of climate services design and implementation since the inception of the GFCS. Cases will be drawn from several regions across the Tropics with special emphasis on small island environments. Risk-based responses and resilience development are not neat linear progressions with clear end-points, but parts of ongoing processes as new knowledge on emergent risks, vulnerabilities and opportunities arise. Most climate services successes to date, stem from advances in three areas, (1) the development of analytical tools that facilitate climate prediction and monitoring applications including risk and vulnerability assessments, (2) building on already existing institutional capabilities at different scales, and; (3) developing and improving climate services through regionally-supported efforts engaging public and private sectors, and local communities. For the Caribbean, efforts include improvements in observational networks and in understanding regional climate dynamics, developing climate applications prototypes in water resources, agriculture, food security, financial services, and early warning for disaster risk reduction, coordination through outlook fora, and mainstreaming information into regional and national environmental and development plans. Central to the success of these processes has been the development and evolution of regional research institutions that leverage resources for learning, including physical and social science research, and capacity development, leading to a new cadre of climate risk management professionals in the region capable of helping to bridge “the last mile”. The presentation will focus on innovative work of these, and other institutions, with which the author is engaged. The presentation will further outline opportunities for facilitating effective learning between regions with similar but not always identical contexts, such as the Caribbean and Pacific islands.