H.E Mateus Magala, the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Mozambique, officially opened the Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-28) in Maputo, Mozambique, on 29 January 2024 which convened to review the impacts of the October-December 2023 rainfall season’s predictions, issue the seasonal rainfall forecast for February-June 2024 and advance the establishment of Regional Sectoral User Interface Products (RSUIPs).
The meteorological information and products of SARCOF-28 which is being held from 29 - 31 January 2024, will contribute immensely to strengthening the preparedness of the SADC region for adverse impacts of weather and climate. Representatives from the Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock, Water, Energy, Health, Disaster Risk Management and Early Warning sectors are present to develop mitigation strategies based on updated consensus forecasts.
SARCOF-28 will assist the SADC Climate Services Centre (CSC) to enhance engagement and collaboration with other climate services actors with the aim of achieving effective co-production processes, elements that are crucial in developing decision ready products and services. In
furtherance, this Forum will also continue with the process of formalising the User Interface Platforms (UIPs) and mainstream climate services to specific sectors in the SADC region.
SARCOF is a flagship event for the SADC CSC that is organised through the Intra-ACP Climate Services and related Application Programme (ClimSA) which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the SADC Secretariat.
