One week ago, on the 17th of March 2021, during the Ministerial Conference on Meteorology, the African Ministers in charge of meteorology have adopted the Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology.
One of the fundamental pillars is to improve the observing network and infrastructure in Africa.
In their statement, the ministers note with concern that the existing gaps in observation and infrastructure in Africa limit the capacity to provide meteorological, hydrological and climatological services and hamper activities intended to support adaptation to climate and resilience.
The ministers welcome the establishment of the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and urge bilateral and multilateral development partners as well as climate finance partners to consider funding the SOFF initiative.
As WMO Region President for Africa, I participated in the conception of SOFF since the beginning and brought the support of the Regional Council to this initiative.
I am now very pleased with the support expressed by all African ministers for the creation of SOFF.
