Opening Statement

by

H.E. Ambassador Josefa SACKO

Commissioner

Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE)

African Union Commission

at

the 2023 Forum of the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme

Kempinski Hotel

Mahe, Seychelles

11-13 September 2023

Salutations

• H.E. Flavian Joubert, Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment, Republic of Seychelles
• H.E. Prof. Vêlayoudom Marimoutou, Secretary-General, Indian Ocean Commission
• H.E. Cristelle Pratt, Assistant Secretary-General, Organisation of the African, Caribbean, Pacific States (OACPS)
• Mr. Eric Hoa, Programme Manager, European Union Delegation to the African Union
• Distinguished Guests, Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen

Greetings from H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

It is my great pleasure and honor to  preside over the opening of the 2023 ClimSA Forum, which marks a pivotal moment in our shared journey to foster dialog among stakeholders and strengthen resilience to climate change in our three Regions (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific).

From the outset, I would like to sincerely thank the Government of Seychelles for accepting to host the Forum, and according all participants this wonderful hospitability. This demonstrates the commitment of the Government of Seychelles to the pan African Vision of attaining environment sustainability and climate resilient economies and communities on the continent. To colleagues from the Caribbean and Pacific, and other continents, I say welcome to Africa.

Distinguished Delegates, your participation to the Forum underscores the importance of collective action in strengthening climate action to address the existential threats posed by climate change. Together, we represent a broad spectrum of nations, organizations, expertise, and experience, and it is this diversity that is our strength. Our togetherness is testament to our shared commitment to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to protect our planet and interests of future generations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Climate variability and change are a major source of much- of the prevalent poverty, food insecurity, and weak  economic sectors such as agriculture, water resources, disaster risk reduction, energy and health, among others, in our countries. Unfortunately, most countries of our regions are characterised by weak capacities in observation and monitoring of weather and climate, as well as generation of reliable climate information and early warnings. For example, Africa has about less than one-eighth of the minimum required observing networks required for effective observations and monitoring.

Nevertheless, the ClimSA Programme aims to contribute to efforts towards addressing this capacity challenge. The Programme focusses on improving access to, and use of climate information services for decision-making and development planning processes. At a strategic level, the African Union has put in place frameworks including the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) to guide member states and partners in addressing the challenge. The African Regional Strategy on Disaster Risk Reduction, the African Union Climate Change and Development Strategy, and the African Union Space Policy and Strategy are other critical instruments guiding our multi-pronged, but coordinated efforts to address the climate change challenge.

The 2023 ClimSA Forum, which grew out of the 3^rd OACPS and the 1^st African Union ClimSA Fora, is a symbol of our shared determination to foster collaboration and cooperation across borders. This first hybrid Forum in Africa, therefore, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of climate services and to promote dialog among stakeholders through feedback, synergy building and complementarity. With strong participation of users from the priority sectors and ClimSA pilot countries, we hope to initiate meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and cross-border partnerships that will enable us to improve climate services in ACP countries.

This Forum is not only a moment for discussion, but also a call to action to improve meteorological observation, climate monitoring and climate services for various socio-economic development areas including agriculture and food security, disaster risk reduction, water resources, health and energy, among others. Last week, from 04-06 September 2023, the African Union Commission, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya convened its inaugural Africa Climate Summit with critical Declaration on climate action. It is important that the ClimSA community in Africa acquaint itself of this Declaration.

In conclusion, I would like to once again thank the Government of Seychelles for hosting this Forum, and the European Union for the financial support. The AUC appreciates the work of the Seychelles Meteorological Authority, the Indian Ocean Commission, and local organisers for all efforts they put in organising this forum. The AU Commission would also like to thank the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological satellites (EUMETSAT) and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) for the technical support.

I thank you for your attention