African Ministers Responsible for Meteorology Seek to Increase Community Resilience

HARARE, Zimbabwe, May 22, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Climate change occasioned by severe weather and extreme climate events is exacerbating multiple stresses such as food insecurity and spread of diseases in Africa. In 2012 alone, an estimated 37.3 million Africans were negatively affected by hydro meteorological hazards; a 43.3% increase in annual average over the last decade.

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The African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) (http://www.wmo.int/amcomet) is, therefore, intensifying efforts to integrate weather and climate services in national and sub-regional development frameworks to save lives and improve the livelihoods of communities. A transformative approach is required to introduce innovative adaptation measures that build the resilience of communities to cope with adverse impacts of climate change.

“Every African country should be involved in the transformative development of the continent”, says African Union Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, H.E Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, adding that, “supporting weather and climate services is critical in strengthening Africa's resilience in the context of Africa Agenda 2063 on the Africa We Want”.

From 26 to 30 May 2014, “the Task Force and Bureau Meeting of AMCOMET” to be hosted by Zimbabwe in Harare will refine the draft Implementation Plan of the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) for the period spanning 2014 - 2018. The Ministers will also discuss resource mobilisation for priority investments to build climate related disaster resilience, including the development of a pan-African Space Policy.

“This landmark strategy is designed to maximize the contribution of meteorological services to sustainable development by gearing the necessary resources and recognition from governments,” said Hon Saviour Kasukuwere, Minister of Environment, Water and Climate of Zimbabwe and the Chair of AMCOMET.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET).

For all media enquiries (radio, TV interviews and photos) please email:

Ms. Josiane Uwantege: juwantege(at)wmo.int or phone: +263 772 726 264 / +41 78 664 41 82

Ms. Clare Nullis: cnullis(at)wmo.int or phone +41 22 730 8478 / 41 79 709 1397

Ms. Carol Jilombo: Jilomboc(at)africa-union.org

Notes to Editors

AMCOMET (http://www.wmo.int/amcomet) was established during the first meeting of Ministers responsible for Meteorology in Africa, co-organized by WMO and AUC, hosted in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2010. As an important outcome of the Nairobi Declaration, AMCOMET was defined as a high-level mechanism for the development of meteorology and its applications in Africa. The Second Session of AMCOMET approved the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology, which was developed to enhance the cooperation between African countries; and to ensure that National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) have the necessary resources and capacity to fulfil their mandates.

For more information, visit:

• http://www.wmo.int/amcomet/

• https://www.wmo.int