17th EUMETSAT User Forum adopts Manzini Declaration to strengthen climate early warning systems across Africa
With parts of Africa facing the prospect of strong El Niño events (a natural climate phenomenon involving unusually warm waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that can disrupt rainfall and weather patterns worldwide), concerns are growing about the risks of droughts, floods and heatwaves. These events could put further pressure on food production, water supplies, and livelihoods.
Against this backdrop, African meteorological services, regional climate centres, the African Union Commission and international partners gathered in Eswatini from 5 to 9 October for the 17th User Forum of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
The forum focused on improving the use of satellite data (information collected by satellites observing the Earth) for weather forecasting, climate monitoring and early warning systems (services that identify potential hazards and alert people in time to prepare).
The meeting produced the Manzini Declaration (a statement issued at the forum in Manzini, Eswatini), calling for wider use of satellite observations and stronger early warning systems across Africa.
A central concern was how to turn growing access to satellite data into services that national institutions can operate, and communities can rely on. Discussions addressed the need for trained professionals, stronger institutional capacity, and closer cooperation between national and regional organisations.
For Africa’s evidence community, the development raises a timely question: how can reliable information reach decision-makers early enough to influence action? As countries prepare for possible El Niño-related disruptions, the ability to interpret forecasts, communicate risks and use available information will be important for decisions affecting agriculture, water management and disaster preparedness.
Read more about the 17th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa
