12-16 April 2010

The First Conference of Ministers Responsible for Meteorology in Africa was held in Nairobi from 12 to 16 April 2010, at the invitation of the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources.

 The Conference was in two parts; the first part, from 12 to 14 April, was a preparatory meeting of experts and partners of all sectors concerned, while the Conference of Ministers  took place on 15 and 16 April. There were a total of 38 African Ministers responsible for Meteorology in Africa who attended the conference and approximately 300 delegates also drawn from Africa.

The African continent is especially affected by changes in climate seen by the increase in the number and magnitude of natural hazards. The major sectors of the economy which are affected include agriculture and food security, transport, public health, water resources management, energy and tourism.

To address the challenges arising from climate change, critical information must be generated and provided to decision-makers and users at all levels. The main purpose of the Conference was to recognize and strengthen the role and the contribution of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to government policies and initiatives for mitigating, and adapting to, the negative impacts of weather and climate.

The Conference Preparatory Expert Segment brought together a broad range of decision-makers, users and providers, drawing on their experiences, to improve weather, water and climate information and services. These experiences include flood risk management in Mozambique, agrometeorology in Mali in and drought insurance in Malawi.

 The Conference attracted a large number of exhibitors from the international community who showcased some of their meteorological instruments and equipments during the conference week at the KICC Tsavo Ballroom.