AMCOMET Bureau Convenes at ClimSA/SEWA Forum to Strengthen African Meteorological Capacities

AMCOMET Bureau Convenes at ClimSA/SEWA Forum to Strengthen African Meteorological Capacities

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

The Bureau of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) convened on 24th June on the margins of the Joint ClimSA and SEWA Forum, bringing together key stakeholders to assess recent developments in the meteorology sector and reaffirm commitments to strengthening weather, water, and climate services across Africa.

The Public Information Officer
World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Dr. Kosmos Akande-Alasoka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Dr. Akande-Alasoka noted that during the meeting, the Bureau emphasized the importance of bolstering National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to ensure the delivery of fit-for-purpose climate services.

“These efforts are vital to building resilience among African communities and supporting the continent’s socio-economic development in the face of mounting climate challenges,” the statement affirmed.

The Bureau also called on partners to develop a coordinated and sustainable approach to capacity building. In particular, it urged closer collaboration with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to improve the integration and alignment of programmes with the strategies of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Recognizing the urgent need for proactive engagement, AMCOMET encouraged its Members to actively participate in regional hydrometeorological and climate-related events.

“Increased visibility and leadership from NMHSs will be instrumental in enhancing early warning systems and reducing disaster risks across the continent,” the statement further noted.

The Bureau also formally welcomed the launch of the Space for Early Warning for Africa (SEWA) initiative, applauding its role in advancing the goals of the Abidjan Declaration and the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology.

The Chair of AMCOMET participated in the launch, signifying high-level endorsement of SEWA’s contributions to the future of climate resilience in Africa.

AMCOMET is a high-level policy mechanism that provides political support and guidance for the development of meteorological services in Africa.

It aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among African countries and promote the use of weather and climate information for sustainable development.

ClimSA is a pan-ACP initiative funded by the European Union that supports the development of climate services across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Chair of AMCOMET took part in the SEWA, launched under the Africa-EU Space Partnership, uses satellite-based technologies to improve early warning systems and strengthen Africa’s resilience to climate shocks.