SACOF-32 Strengthens Regional Climate Preparedness in Mbabane

The three-day Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum, known as SACOF-32, is currently underway in Mbabane, Eswatini. The forum began on Wednesday and will conclude on Friday. It was officially opened by the Kingdom of Eswatini’s Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Jane Mkhonta-Simelane. SACOF-32 brings together climate experts, policymakers and sector practitioners from across the SADC region. The goal is to improve preparedness for weather and climate related risks that continue to affect lives and economies.

The forum is being held under the theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together within the SADC Region”. In her opening remarks, Minister Mkhonta-Simelane stressed that climate change does not respect national borders. She pointed to recent heavy rainfall that affected Eswatini, parts of South Africa and Mozambique. These events caused loss of life and serious damage to infrastructure and agriculture. She said these impacts highlight the urgent need for stronger early warning systems, resilient infrastructure and climate-smart agriculture to protect vulnerable communities.

Speaking on behalf of the SADC Secretariat, Dr. George Ah-Thew, Acting Director of Infrastructure, called for increased investment in early warning and early action. He emphasized the importance of strong institutions that can ensure inclusive access to climate information that saves lives. Dr. Ah-Thew noted that SARCOF remains a key platform for producing seasonal climate forecasts. He said the forum plays a vital role in translating scientific information into guidance that supports decision making at regional and national levels.

SACOF-32 is supported by the United Kingdom Met Office’s Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa Programme, also known as WISER. The SADC Climate Services Centre continues to play a central role in the process. The Centre generates and shares meteorological, environmental and hydro-meteorological products that improve disaster preparedness. It also builds capacity within National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and user communities. This support helps countries apply climate information to achieve resilient socio-economic development.

The forum is attended by key stakeholders from all SADC Member States. Participants include Directors and Permanent Representatives to the World Meteorological Organisation. Representatives from agriculture, water, energy, food, health and disaster risk management sectors are also present. Their participation reflects the cross-sector importance of climate information. SACOF-32 aims to strengthen collaboration so that the region can respond faster and more effectively to climate risks while protecting lives, livelihoods and development gains.