AMCOMET Side Event: Living with the thread of climate hazards and aspiring for sustainable development

The state of Climate in Africa reports confirmed an alarming warming rate of 0.3 degrees Celsius per decade of the continent slightly higher than the global average, and a mean sea level rise reaching now 4.1 mm per year in the red sea slightly above global average. As a result most countries are experiencing records of extreme climatic hazards with devastating socio-economic impacts across communities. 

The Horn of Africa, for example, after series of prolonged droughts, is now experiencing heavy flooding and landslides. Some countries in Southern Africa are experiencing  severe droughts while  they have  been repeatedly hit by intense tropical cyclones in the last couple of years. The situation is rather mixed in West and Central Africa. Northern Africa is devastated by heatwaves and fires, although unprecedent flooding was recorded in Libya with tropical Storm Daniel. A record of 50.4 degrees Celsius was observed in Morocco ( 2023 State of Climate in Africa Report)

These hydrometeorological hazards  have had significant negative impacts on  the agricultural systems,  food security, water resources, health, populations displacements and conflicts. According to the 2023 State of Climate in Africa Report, African countries  lose on average, 2% to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) annually, and many countries diverts up to 9% of their budgets into unplanned expenditures to respond to extreme weather events. By 2030, it is estimated that up to 118 million extremely poor people (those living on less than US$ 1.90/day) will be exposed to drought, floods and extreme heat in Africa if adequate response measures are not put in place. This will place additional burdens on poverty alleviation efforts and significantly hamper growth.

The need to adapt is extremely urgent to minimize this massive loss and the pulling back of the developmental gain encountered by some counties since the trend of these hazards will continue to increase in frequency and intensity for the next decades. Early Warning Systems have been proved efficient tools for adaptation. There is a tenfold return on investment in Early Warning Services (EWS). Hence the United Nations Secretary General’s Early Warning for All Initiative aims to cover all citizen by 2027. The implementation of the initiative especially in Africa will require significant investment and capacity development of key national players as indicated in the Africa EW4All Action plan, and well pinpointed during the national rollouts. However, the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, producers of the hydrometeorological information, face serious challenges, yet they have a vital role to play in the value chain of the system.

The approval by the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) of the implementation and resource mobilization plan of the African Integrated Strategy on Meteorology which provides strategic guidance and coordinated action to AU member states and all stakeholders on meteorology, climate action, and resilience building on the continent, comes at the right time. Its implementation through strengthened partnerships and collaboration of all relevant stakeholders will enhance capacities for the production and delivery of tailored weather, water, climate and early warning services. 

The African Union Commission, WMO and AMCOMET will organise a side event during COP-29 to launch the implementation and resource mobilisation plan of the African Integrated Strategy on Meteorology.  

Agenda

Moderator: Dr Harsen Nyambe, Director of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy, AUC

Opening remarks: 

• Prof. Celeste Saulo, WMO SG
• H.E Josefa Sacko, AUC Commissioner
• Hon. Mike Elton Mposha, Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia, AMCOMET 1^st Vice Chair

Presentation of the implementation plan of the integrated Africa Strategy of Meteorology: 

• Mariane Diop Kane, AMCOMET Secretariat, WMO
• Jolly Wasambo, AUC

Launch of the plan

1st Panel Discussions around political issues, technical and non-governmental financial support:

• Mr. Nassim Oulmane, Climate Change, Food Security and Natural Resources Management Division UNECA
• Dr. Matthias Zana Naa, Director, Regional Service for Africa, UNDP
• Dr. Walters Tubua, Regional Lead, UNFCCC RCC West and Central Africa 
• Ms Oyun Sanjaasuren, Director of Partnership and Resource Mobilization, GCF
• Mr. Mikko Ollikainen, Head of  Adaptation Fund
• AfDB tbc
• AGN tbc

RECs and Ministers Statements: 

• Hon Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitization,  Ghana 
• Hon. Mrs Sithembiso G.G. Nyoni, Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality, Zimbabwe
• Mr. Malan Dabo, PS, Permanent Secretary, The Gambia Ministry of Fisheries
• Mr Vincent AMELIE,  CEO SMA, IOC
• ECOWAS Commission, tbc
• IOC tbc

Closing Remarks: 

• Hon Mike Elton Mposha, Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Zambia AMCOMET 1^st Vice Chair

Closing Remarks