SADC to host the 31th Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum, the 31st Climate Experts Meeting and the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System meetings

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Zambia and with financial support from the European Union (EU) under the Intra-ACP Climate Services and related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, will convene the 31st Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-31), the Climate Experts Meeting (CEM), and the Validation Workshop of the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System from 1 to 11 September 2025 in Lusaka, Republic of Zambia. These high-level engagements aim to strengthen regional collaboration in disaster preparedness and enhance the management of weather- and climate-related risks. 

Aligned with the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, which emphasise environmental sustainability, the engagements will focus on strategies to strengthen climate services for poverty reduction, food security, and disaster preparedness. 

The theme of SARCOF-31 is “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together within the SADC Region,” echoing the 2025 World Meteorological Day theme: “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.” The Forum also provides a platform for dialogue and technical exchanges on advances in climate science and technology, with emphasis on emerging applications, disaster risk reduction, and anticipatory action. 

The CEM convenes climate experts from SADC Member States to produce the regional seasonal outlook which is an essential tool, as it provides early guidance on the expected rainfall and temperature patterns for the region, allowing Member States to prepare in advance. Timely use of this forecast supports decisions such as crop planning, water management, disaster risk reduction, energy production, and public health measures, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and potential losses. 

The SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System validation workshop will review the draft framework, design, and tools of the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System. It will provide Member States and stakeholders with an opportunity to provide feedback and ensure that the system is practical, harmonised, and regionally-owned. The aim is to strengthen early warning capacities and support timely, coordinated responses to climate and disaster risks. 

These meetings will be attended by a broad range of stakeholders, including climate scientists, researchers, government representatives, non-governmental organisations, socio-economic sector actors, development partners, decision-makers, and members of the media. 

These meetings will be conducted as follows;

• Climate Experts Meeting: 1- 7 September 2025.
• Validation the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System; 8 September 2025 (Hybrid).
• SARCOF-31 Forum; 8 - 11 September 2025 (Hybrid). 

For online participation in the Forum, please register at: https://forms.office.com/r/49ELF8q00k

For enquiries:

Ms. Elizabeth Sebedi email esebedi@sadc.int, Mr. Patrick Koboyatshwene email pkoboyatshwene@sadc.int, Ms. Jenny Josefsson email  jjosefsson@sadc.int, Ms. Surekha Ramessur email sramessur@sadc.int, or Mr. Letso S. Mpho, email lmpho@sadc.int or email prinfo@sadc.int.