THE 11TH EUMETSAT USER FORUM IN AFRICA KICKS OFF

Johannesburg 08 September 2014 - Organized by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and the South African Weather Services (SAWS), the 11th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa is underway from 08-12 September 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Approximately, 150 participants from more than 60 countries are participating at this conference, representing National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) from Africa, Europe, African Regional Economic Communities (RECs), government agencies as well as regional scientific and technical institutions.

The objectives of the forum include: to enable EUMETSAT to showcase programmes and achievements in support of AU Member States’ national meteorological services through RECs and Regional Implementation Centres (RICs) in terms of weather and climate related satellite data, images and products; to enable RECs and RICs to review progress in the implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) on the basis of the 2012 Addis Ababa Declaration; and to strategise on reinforcing national, regional and continental policies and institutions for effective delivery on pertinent programmes and projects.

Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, H.E. Mrs. Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, African Union Commission, noted that satellite technology is critical towards dealing with some of the challenges in near-real time. “The contribution of satellite technology and space science, is vital for the implementation of national, regional and continental strategies such as the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services), the African Regional Strategy on Disaster Risk Reduction, and the implementation of the draft African Climate Change Strategy”, she added.

Mrs. Tumusiime highlighted the importance of this forum as timely, especially for Africa as the AU is putting together the ‘Africa Agenda 2063 on the Africa we want’ in the next 50 years that has been soliciting views and ideas from stakeholders. “This year is also the AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security and so what we are doing here is very relevant given how agriculture is affected by weather and climate change. (The complete speech of the Commissioner is available on www.au.int).

“Our continent is extremely vulnerable to climate change and variability. The changing rainfall patterns are already having an effect on agriculture, food and water security”, said H.E. Mrs. Edina Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa.

While addressing the development of climate services as critical for fighting against poverty and efforts to combat the adverse effect of natural disasters, the Minister emphasised three major issues towards the effective implementation of this initiative: international collaboration as critical both amongst the states and the with EUMETSAT; Capacity building as essential for infrastructure development and expertise in satellite meteorology; and technology transfer and knowledge sharing as vital to deal with the enormous challenge of climate change. (The full speech is available on www.au.int).

Speaking at the opening ceremony Dr. Alain Ratier, Director General of EUMETSAT emphasized the need for Member States from Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries to develop institutional structures for science and technology on climate services that would enable decision makers to make adaptation policies from climatic and socio economic data based on sound science as the said regions are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The forum has been marked by the signing of the Benoni Statement on the Global Framework for Climate Services in Africa by the African Union Commission and the Republic of South Africa.

EUMETSAT has been providing satellite data for Africa for more than 30 years. It will launch the EUMETSAT Third Generation programme in 2019 that will provide satellite data for Africa for another two decades until 2040.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Jolly Wasambo, Coordinator for the Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) Project, Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, AUC
Email: wasamboj@africa-union.org

Media contact
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Directorate of Information and Communication, AU Commission; Tel: +27-076-9457928; E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org

For further information contact
Directorate of information and communication /African union commission/ E- mail:dinfo@africa-union.org/Web site: www.au.int/ Addis Ababa / Ethiopia

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