The 21st Regional Climate Outlook Forum (RCOF) for Central Africa (PRESAC-21) officially commenced virtually on 10 March 2026, bringing together ECCAS Member States experts in climate scientists, National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), Regional Climate Centres (RCCs), and sectoral users whom will jointly develop the seasonal climate outlook for Central Africa and strengthen the use of climate information for informed decision making. The outcomes from this forum of experts will then be used to support ECCAS Member States in enhancing early warning systems, strengthening climate resilience, and ensuring that climate information contributes to sustainable development and socio-economic stability across the region.

This platform is coordinated by the ECCAS ClimSA programme and is convened under the theme “Development of Climate Services for the Benefit of Users of Climate Information in Central Africa,” the forum serves as a key regional platform to strengthen collaboration between climate experts and climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture, disaster risk management, water resources, health, and energy production. PRESAC-21 outcome production of a conscious seasonal climate forecasts for the month of March-April-May and promote the translation of climate information into practical services that support climate resilient development across Central Africa.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Jebel Urbain Teeteya, the Coordinator of Climate Application and Prediction Centre for Central Africa (CAPC-AC) stated that, “In Central Africa, one of the objectives of holding this meeting remains the improvement of our knowledge of hydro-meteorological and climate phenomena to make hydro-meteorological and climate information a key element in strengthening warning mechanisms aimed at improving the resilience of populations and ecosystems”.

The opening day of PRESAC-21 focused on technical exchanges and regional coordination aimed at strengthening the drafting and dissemination of seasonal climate forecasts. Participants reviewed recent climatic conditions across Central Africa, including rainfall variability, temperature patterns, and key drivers of climate. Presentations from regional climate centres and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services provided scientific updates on current climate monitoring systems and forecasting methodologies used to generate seasonal predictions.

Throughout the week, ECCAS ClimSA, regional institutions, meteorological experts, development partners and sectoral stakeholders continue to reaffirm the importance of strengthening climate services and ensuring that climate information reaches communities, decision makers and climate sensitive sectors across the region. These series of technical and collaborative sessions collectively shall adopt a PRESAC-21 Seasonal Climate Outlook Statement. The statement is based on an ECCAS consensus seasonal climate outlook for Central Africa produced by:

• Analysis of regional climate drivers and forecasting models
• Collaborative development of the seasonal climate outlook for the upcoming period
• Sectoral consultations on the implications of seasonal climate predictions
• Strengthening user engagement mechanisms to improve the uptake of climate information

This statement will guide governments, humanitarian agencies and development partners in strengthening preparedness and climate-informed planning across Central Africa. In Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forums remain critical platforms for bridging climate science and decision-making. By fostering collaboration between scientists, policymakers and sectoral users, PRESAC-21 contributes to strengthening the climate services value chain and advancing climate informed development across Africa.

In Central Africa, CAPC-AC Regional Climate Centre (RCC), based in Douala, Cameroon, collaborates with the AUC- ECCAS based ClimSA team members that are responsible for the Regional Economic Community (REC) of the Economic Community for Central African States (ECCAS) region. In the region, the ClimSA programme team supports the REC and RCC in the Production of Annual Africa State of Climate Reports (PRESAC and NCOF) and the Establishment and operationalization of engagement mechanisms (user interface platforms- UIP) between climate information producers and users.

For further information:
Soumalia Gadji, ECCAS ClimSA Programme Coordinator | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: soumailao@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Diana Chacha, Communications and Knowledge Management Officer | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: chacha@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For media inquiries:
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke I Information and Communications Directorate I African Union Commission I Tel: 0911-630631 I Email: molalett@africanunion.org