MBABANE – The Thirty-Second Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-32) officially opened at Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane, with Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane presiding over the event.
Held under the theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together within the SADC Region,” the forum is supported by the UK Met Office’s Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER) Programme. It brings together climate experts, policymakers, and sector practitioners to strengthen preparedness for weather- and climate-related risks across Southern Africa.
The SADC Climate Services Centre (CSC) plays a key role in generating and sharing meteorological, environmental, and hydro-meteorological products that enhance disaster preparedness. The Centre also trains National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and user communities to use climate information for resilient socio-economic development.
Speaking for the SADC Secretariat, Dr. George Ah-Thew, Acting Director of Infrastructure, said: “There is a need for greater investment in early warning and early action, and for stronger institutions to ensure inclusive access to life-saving climate information.” He added that SARCOF remains a cornerstone platform for co-producing seasonal forecasts and translating them into policy guidance at both regional and national levels.
Minister Mkhonta-Simelane noted the cross-border impacts of climate events, citing recent heavy rains in Eswatini, South Africa, and Mozambique that caused loss of life and damage to infrastructure and agriculture. She said these events show the urgency of improving early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture.
SARCOF-32 brings together key stakeholders from all SADC Member States, including Directors and Permanent Representatives to the World Meteorological Organisation, as well as representatives from agriculture, water, energy, food, health, and disaster risk management sectors.
Discussion about this post