PRESS RELEASE
SADC to Host the Thirty-Second Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-32) in Mbabane, Eswatini
19 January 2026, Gaborone, Botswana: The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in collaboration with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and with support from the United Kingdom (UK) Met Office’s Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa (WISER) Programme, will convene the Thirty-Second Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-32) and the Climate Experts Meeting (CEM) in Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini, from 26 to 30 January 2026.
These high-level regional engagements aim to strengthen collaboration among SADC Member States in climate monitoring, forecasting, and early warning, while enhancing preparedness, response, and resilience to weather- and climate-related hazards across Southern Africa.
As part of its mandate, the SADC Climate Services Centre (SADC-CSC) generates and disseminates meteorological, environmental, and hydro-meteorological products that contribute significantly to improved disaster preparedness and the effective management of climate-induced risks. These services play a vital role in supporting decision-making across climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water resources, health, energy, and disaster risk reduction.
In addition, the SADC-CSC builds regional capacity by training climate experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in climate prediction and analysis. The Centre also supports user communities by strengthening their ability to apply climate information and services for sustainable socio-economic development, particularly in a region highly vulnerable to climate variability and change.
SARCOF-32 is being supported through the UK Met Office WISER Programme and hosted locally with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini through the Eswatini Meteorological Service. The forum will provide an important platform for the generation, interpretation, and dissemination of the consensus seasonal climate outlook for the Southern Africa region, alongside sector-specific guidance to support climate-informed planning and early action.
The SADC-CSC will conduct two key activities during the Mbabane meetings:
- the Climate Experts Meeting (CEM); and
- the Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-32).
These meetings will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including climate scientists, researchers, representatives from government institutions, non-governmental organisations, socio-economic sector practitioners, development partners, policymakers, and members of the media.
Meeting Schedule:
Climate Experts Meeting (CEM): 26 - 27 January 2026 (Physical)
SARCOF-32 Forum: 28 - 30 January 2026 (Hybrid)
The outcomes of these meetings are expected to enhance regional coordination, strengthen early warning systems, and support timely, climate-informed decision-making across SADC Member States.
For enquiries:
Ms. Elizabeth Sebedi email esebedi@sadc.int, Mr. Patrick Koboyatshwene email pkoboyatshwene@sadc.int, Ms. Surekha Ramessur email sramessur@sadc.int, or Ms. Anethe Mtambanengwe email amtambanengwe@sadc.int.
