Lusaka – Over 30 climate experts and more than 200 stakeholders from across Southern Africa gathered in Lusaka, Zambia, from 8 to 11 September for the 31st Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-31) to address mounting climate risks.
The forum focused on strengthening early warning systems and regional cooperation under the theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together within the SADC region.” Participants reviewed last season’s climate performance, developed a consensus outlook for the upcoming rainfall season, and discussed strategies to improve resilience in agriculture, urban planning, health, and economic development.
Dr. Douty Chibamba, Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, urged that climate services respond to the immediate impacts of extreme weather, from floods and cyclones to droughts, which are already affecting livelihoods and food security across the region. He called for better data sharing, investment in meteorological and hydrological services, and community-focused climate information in local languages.
Citing the World Meteorological Organization, Dr. Chibamba noted that African countries lose 2–5% of GDP annually to climate extremes, with some spending up to 9% of national budgets on emergency responses. He warned that fragmented and underfunded early warning systems leave vulnerable communities exposed.
Ms. Mapolao Mokoena, SADC Director of Infrastructure, said SARCOF-31 concluded the SADC ClimSA Programme, launched at SARCOF-25. She welcomed support from the European Union and partners and presented achievements including the validation of the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and the draft Regional Multi-Hazard Monitoring Framework. Collaboration with health and media sectors was identified as key to ensuring climate information reaches and influences communities.
Other speakers, including Dr. Joshua Ngaina from the World Meteorological Organisation, Mr. Catalin Gherman from the EU Delegation to Botswana, and Mr. Edson Nkonde, Zambia’s Director of Meteorology, called for a robust and inclusive early warning framework to secure environmental and socio-economic stability in the region.
The forum urged closing gaps in early warning systems, deepening regional cooperation, and ensuring no community remains vulnerable. Policy dialogues addressed advances in climate science, disaster risk reduction, and anticipatory action, supporting planning in sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, health, and disaster management.
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