The First conference of ministers responsible for meteorology in Africa

The First Conference of Ministers Responsible for Meteorology in Africa, hosted by the Government of Kenya, will be held in Nairobi from 12 April to 16 April 2010.  The first part of the Conference, from 12 to 14 April, will be a technical preparatory meeting of experts and partners. The ministerial conference will take place on 15 and 16 April.

The Second Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, organised by the African Union Commission and the UNISDR regional office for Africa, will take place parallel to the Meteorology Conference. The technical segment of the Disaster Risk Reduction Conference will be held on 14 to 15 April, and the conference on 16 April.

Climate change is adversely affecting the African continent. Already, the number and magnitude of natural hazards is increasing thus affecting all sectors, particularly agriculture and food security, transport, public health, water resources management, energy and tourism.

To address these challenges, critical information must be generated and provided to decision-makers and users at all levels. The main purpose of the Meteorology Conference is to recognize and contribute to strengthening the role and contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to government policies and initiatives for mitigating and adapting to the negative impacts of weather and climate.

The Conference will bring together a broad range of decision-makers, users and providers, drawing on their experiences, to improve weather, water and climate information and services. The Ministerial Conference is expected to endorse high-level support to the expert-based Conference Statement from government representatives and to adopt a Conference Declaration for the development of weather, water and climate services in Africa.