Climate changes, occasioned by severe weather and extreme climate events, are exacerbating multiple stresses, such as food insecurity and spread of diseases in Africa. In 2012 alone, an estimated 37.3 million Africans were negatively affected by hydro- meteorological hazards - a 43.3 per cent increase in the annual average over the last decade.
The Task Force and Bureau meeting of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET), which would take place in Harare Zimbabwe, between May 26 and 30, 2014, is, therefore, intensifying efforts to integrate weather and climate services in national and sub-regional development frameworks to save lives and improve the livelihoods of communities.
At the meeting, the draft implementation plan of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) for the period spanning 2014-2018 would be refined. The ministers would also discuss resource mobilisation for priority investments to build climate related disaster resilience, including the development of a pan-African space policy.
A transformative approach is required to introduce innovative adaptation measures that build the resilience of communities to cope with adverse impacts of climate change.
“Every African country should be involved in the transformative development of the continent,” said Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, African Union commissioner for rural economy and agriculture, adding that supporting weather and climate services was critical to strengthen Africa’s resilience in the context of Africa Agenda 2063 on the Africa they want.
“This landmark strategy is designed to maximise the contribution of meteorological services to sustainable development by gearing the necessary resources and recognition from governments,” said Saviour Kasukuwere, Zimbabwe’s environment, water and climate minister and AMCOMET’s chair.