Gaborone, August 28 — The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia and funded by the European Union under the Intra-ACP Climate Services and related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, is set to host a series of pivotal climate engagements in Lusaka, Zambia, from 1 to 11 September 2025. These include the 31st Southern Africa Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-31), the Climate Experts Meeting (CEM), and a Validation Workshop for the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System.
These events aim to strengthen regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and improve the management of weather and climate-related risks across the Southern African region. Aligned with the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, the meetings emphasize environmental sustainability and focus on enhancing climate services to support poverty reduction, food security, and disaster risk reduction.
SARCOF-31: Closing the Early Warning Gap Together
The theme for SARCOF-31 is “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together within the SADC Region,” reflecting the 2025 World Meteorological Day motto. The Forum provides a crucial platform for dialogue and technical exchange among climate scientists, researchers, and policymakers, focusing on advances in climate science, emerging technologies, and anticipatory action to mitigate disaster risks.
Climate Experts Meeting: Producing the Regional Seasonal Outlook
The Climate Experts Meeting, scheduled for 1 to 7 September, will bring together climate experts from SADC member states to formulate the regional seasonal outlook. This forecast offers early guidance on anticipated rainfall and temperature patterns, enabling member states to make informed decisions on crop planning, water resource management, disaster risk reduction, energy production, and public health initiatives—thereby reducing vulnerabilities and potential losses.
Validation Workshop on Multi-Hazard Early Warning System
On 8 September, a hybrid Validation Workshop for the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System will be held to review the draft framework, system design, and tools. This workshop will engage member states and stakeholders to provide feedback, ensuring the early warning system is practical, harmonized, and regionally owned. Strengthening early warning capacities is critical to facilitating timely and coordinated responses to climate and disaster risks.
Participation and Format
The meetings will convene a broad range of stakeholders, including government representatives, climate scientists, non-governmental organizations, socio-economic actors, development partners, decision-makers, and members of the media. The schedule is as follows:
• Climate Experts Meeting: 1–7 September 2025
• Validation Workshop for Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (Hybrid): 8 September 2025
• SARCOF-31 Forum (Hybrid): 8–11 September 2025
About SADC
Established in 1980 as the Southern African Development Coordinating Conference (SADCC) and transformed into SADC in 1992, the organization comprises 16 member states: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. SADC’s mission is to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through deeper integration, good governance, and durable peace and security, ensuring the region’s competitiveness in the global economy.
