The European Union reaffirmed its substantial commitment to climate change adaptation in Africa at the 2nd Africa Forum of the Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA). During the opening remarks, Ana Beatriz Martins, EU Ambassador to Namibia, highlighted the €85 million EU investment in the ClimSA program, with €52 million specifically earmarked for Sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring Europe's dedication to enhancing climate services across the continent.
Ambassador Martins expressed gratitude to the host, the Government of Namibia, along with co-organizers including the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS), the African Union Commission, and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). She acknowledged the crucial participation of various regional and international bodies, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and key European meteorological and earth observation organizations.
The forum serves as a vital platform to review progress and share knowledge on delivering sustainable and effective weather and climate services, particularly early warning systems. These services are crucial for building resilience, not only for environmental benefits but also for boosting socio-economic stability.
Now in its fifth year, the ClimSA program has developed user-driven climate services tailored for critical sectors such as water, agriculture (e.g., drought watch systems in Eastern Africa), health, energy, and disaster risk reduction. This enables countries to better prepare for increasingly severe climate impacts like droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
Significant infrastructure deployments under ClimSA include 40 climate stations in African Regional Climate Centers and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, integrating with the EU's Copernicus Earth Observation program. The program also bolsters the UN-led Global Framework for Climate Services and facilitates extensive knowledge sharing and training.
Looking forward, the EU remains a key partner in climate and weather services, with a strong focus on early warning systems, aligning with its Global Gateway strategy, the Paris Agreement, and the UN's "Early Warnings for All" initiative. Ambassador Martins concluded by emphasizing that climate services and early warnings are indispensable for saving lives, protecting livelihoods, and building resilient societies, stressing the paramount importance of international partnerships in addressing global climate challenges.