Angola Hosts First National Climate Outlook Forum to Bolster Climate Resilience

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Climate Services Centre, in partnership with Angola's National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (INAMET), convened Angola�s First National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF) from October 28-30, 2024, in Luanda. This forum aims to empower Angola�s capacity to generate and leverage climate services effectively. Themed "In the Frontline of Climate Action to Deliver Services in Angola," the event emphasizes the importance of collaboration among climate experts, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, laying the groundwork for stronger climate resilience across multiple sectors.

Participants from diverse fields such as agriculture, water resources, energy, health, and disaster risk management attended, as did representatives from international organizations involved in climate services and resilience initiatives. This gathering underscores the necessity of collective action to mitigate climate change impacts.

In her opening address, Ms. Surekha Ramessur, Senior Programme Officer for Meteorology at the SADC Climate Services Centre, addressed the gravity of the current El Ni�o event, which has intensified drought across Southern Africa, including Angola. Ms. Ramessur highlighted that drought emergencies have already been declared in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Angola and Mozambique also face significant drought-induced food insecurity, with around 1.8 million people in Angola at risk according to a recent FEWSNET report. Additionally, hydropower generation challenges have led to increased load-shedding across the region.

Ms. Ramessur further outlined the ClimSA (Climate Services for Africa) program�s contributions in Angola, focusing on enhancing engagement through User Interface Platforms (UIPs). Developed at both regional and national levels, these UIPs foster collaboration among climate service providers, researchers, and end-users, aligning with the World Meteorological Organization�s Global Framework for Climate Services. In March 2024, the second workshop facilitated by ClimSA helped map Angola's climate services landscape and identify priority areas for UIP implementation, which provided valuable insights for a coordinated climate service framework tailored to Angola�s needs.

Key objectives for the NCOF include strengthening national climate services by building INAMET's expertise and establishing National User Interface Platforms (NUIPs) specifically designed for priority areas in agriculture and water. A seasonal climate outlook for Angola will also be released at the forum, developed in collaboration with various stakeholders. This forecast will support strategies in agriculture, water, energy, and disaster risk reduction, fortifying Angola�s climate resilience.

Furthermore, the forum will adapt the SARCOF-29 regional forecast to the national level, creating specific seasonal outlooks for the sub-seasons from October 2024 to March 2025. By co-developing customized climate products with stakeholders in key sectors, the NCOF aims to ensure the climate information provided is actionable and sector-relevant. This collaborative initiative underscores Angola's commitment to enhancing climate preparedness and adapting to climate variability effectively.

Angola Hosts First National Climate Outlook Forum to Bolster Climate Resilience

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Climate Services Centre, in partnership with Angola's National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (INAMET), convened Angola�s First National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF) from October 28-30, 2024, in Luanda. This forum aims to empower Angola�s capacity to generate and leverage climate services effectively. Themed "In the Frontline of Climate Action to Deliver Services in Angola," the event emphasizes the importance of collaboration among climate experts, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, laying the groundwork for stronger climate resilience across multiple sectors.

Participants from diverse fields such as agriculture, water resources, energy, health, and disaster risk management attended, as did representatives from international organizations involved in climate services and resilience initiatives. This gathering underscores the necessity of collective action to mitigate climate change impacts.

In her opening address, Ms. Surekha Ramessur, Senior Programme Officer for Meteorology at the SADC Climate Services Centre, addressed the gravity of the current El Ni�o event, which has intensified drought across Southern Africa, including Angola. Ms. Ramessur highlighted that drought emergencies have already been declared in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Angola and Mozambique also face significant drought-induced food insecurity, with around 1.8 million people in Angola at risk according to a recent FEWSNET report. Additionally, hydropower generation challenges have led to increased load-shedding across the region.

Ms. Ramessur further outlined the ClimSA (Climate Services for Africa) program�s contributions in Angola, focusing on enhancing engagement through User Interface Platforms (UIPs). Developed at both regional and national levels, these UIPs foster collaboration among climate service providers, researchers, and end-users, aligning with the World Meteorological Organization�s Global Framework for Climate Services. In March 2024, the second workshop facilitated by ClimSA helped map Angola's climate services landscape and identify priority areas for UIP implementation, which provided valuable insights for a coordinated climate service framework tailored to Angola�s needs.

Key objectives for the NCOF include strengthening national climate services by building INAMET's expertise and establishing National User Interface Platforms (NUIPs) specifically designed for priority areas in agriculture and water. A seasonal climate outlook for Angola will also be released at the forum, developed in collaboration with various stakeholders. This forecast will support strategies in agriculture, water, energy, and disaster risk reduction, fortifying Angola�s climate resilience.

Furthermore, the forum will adapt the SARCOF-29 regional forecast to the national level, creating specific seasonal outlooks for the sub-seasons from October 2024 to March 2025. By co-developing customized climate products with stakeholders in key sectors, the NCOF aims to ensure the climate information provided is actionable and sector-relevant. This collaborative initiative underscores Angola's commitment to enhancing climate preparedness and adapting to climate variability effectively.

SADC Appeals for Peace and Stability in Mozambique Following 2024 General Elections

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has issued a strong call for peace and restraint in Mozambique following the general elections held on October 9, 2024. Voters participated in Presidential, Legislative, and Provincial polls, which were conducted largely in accordance with the constitution and in a peaceful manner. However, concerns have risen after the deaths of two political figures, raising fears of potential unrest.

Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, addressed the situation, noting the tragic deaths of Mr. Paulo Guambe, a representative of the PODEMOS political party, and Mr. Elvino Dias, a lawyer for the same party, on October 19, 2024. Investigations are ongoing, and Dr. Hassan has called for patience and calm during this sensitive period.

"We urge all stakeholders to exercise restraint whilst relevant authorities carry out investigations," Dr. Hassan emphasized, highlighting the need for peace to prevent tensions from escalating.

While the elections were a milestone for Mozambique, the post-election period has become tense due to these deaths. SADC urged all parties to ensure peace and stability continue, particularly as the Electoral Management Bodies and other institutions work toward finalizing and announcing the official results in the coming days.

Dr. Hassan reaffirmed, �The elections in the Republic of Mozambique took place in a peaceful manner. It is this spirit that SADC urges all stakeholders to uphold in the period before and after the official announcement of the election results.�

SADC�s involvement underscores the regional commitment to supporting democratic transitions and ensuring security. The organization's close monitoring aims to prevent a repeat of the violent political transitions seen elsewhere in southern Africa.

With the political future of Mozambique at stake, SADC�s message is clear: peace and cooperation are the keys to a stable and democratic future. The region and the world watch closely as Mozambique navigates this critical moment guided by the rule of law.