World Meteorological Organization
Press Release
WMO Calls for G-8 Leaders to Assist Africa in Climate Monitoring and Disaster Risk Reduction
Geneva, 5 June, 2007 (WMO) – The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has called for Group of Eight (G8) leaders to support “Climate for Development in Africa”.
Climate for Development in Africa (ClimDev Africa) is a major programme developed by WMO with the participation of the UN Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union. It is intended to assist African countries in achieving the development goals laid out in the Millennium Declaration through improved climate monitoring, climate services, climate-related risk management (assessment of the risks of extreme climate conditions) and Africa’s whole climate policy. The programme is due to last 10 years, it covers all countries of the continent and it has received support from the relevant government bodies in the African countries. Other partners include the African Development Bank, the United Nations World Food Programme and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society.
In a letter to G8 leaders, WMO President, Dr Alexander Bedritsky and WMO Secretary-General, Mr Michel Jarraud said: “Enhancing the potential of African countries for early warning and adaptation to extreme weather and climate events can significantly increase the effectiveness of investment in development, ensure food security and eradicate poverty, thus making a substantial contribution towards the achievement of sustainable development by these countries.”
Germany will be hosting the 33rd G8 Summit (Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States of America) Summit in Heiligendamm from 6 to 8 June.
The recent, Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) anticipates that climate change is likely, or very likely to lead to the more severe, frequent and dangerous natural phenomena such as heat waves, heavy rain and drought in many parts of the world leading to human suffering and large-scale economic damage.
Climate information is critical for managing the impacts (such as crop failures and disease) of climate variability and change on agriculture, water resources, health and natural disaster reduction. But climate monitoring networks in Africa that generate this information are weak and deteriorating.
Principally driven by a concern to address user needs in agriculture, health and water resources, ClimDev Africa is designed to ensure that climate information is incorporated into development practices throughout Africa to help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
The overall budget for the 10-year programme is expected to be around US$250 million; funds will be used for continental improvements in four principal areas: climate observations, climate services, climate risk management, and national policies related to climate information needs.
The Programme has been endorsed by the Heads of State of the African Union and by the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
Commitments for start-up funding have been provided by the UK Department for International Development; the African Development Bank also expects to be able to contribute resources.
Phase I of the programme will focus on demonstrating the value of climate risk information and how it can be used effectively to help protect lives, livelihoods and property.
The initiative for ClimDev Africa originated from the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), which was established in 1992 to ensure that the observations and information needed to address climate-related issues are obtained and made available to all potential users. It is co-sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Council for Science.
The WMO Regional Association for Africa and African National Meteorological and Hydrological Services will be playing a major role in the programme’s implementation