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

Update
25 June 2025

The Bureau of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) convened on 24 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.

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A group of people sit around a U-shaped conference table in a meeting room, each with laptops or documents, engaged in discussion.

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 Bureau 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 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. The Chair of AMCOMET also took part in the SEWA launch, which was initiated under the Africa-EU Space Partnership. The SEWA initiative uses satellite-based technologies to improve early warning systems and strengthen Africa’s resilience to climate shocks.