WMO to enhance Hydrometeorological Services in Africa towards the digital transformation of African meteorological services (NMHSs)
 06 February 2023
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in collaboration with the Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI), will host the WMO Regional Conference (RECO) and phase III of the 18th Session of Regional Association I (RA I-Africa) from 13th -17th February 2023. A High-Level Session with the participation of Ministers responsible for Meteorology in Africa will precede the RA I Session.

The Conference will bring top-level decision-makers together with weather and climate experts to strengthen the continent's digital transformation of the Weather and Climate infrastructure of the National Meteorological Services (NMHSs) in Africa. The digital transformation will reduce severe weather and extreme events exacerbated by climate change, undermining sustainable development.

The Regional Conference (RECO) will take place on 13 -15 February 2023, followed by the High-Level of the 18th RA I Session from 16-17 February 2023 at Inter-Luxury Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Conference's main objective is to enhance the capacities of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Africa towards digital transformation, using appropriate digital technologies to deliver early warning services for All.

The outcomes expected from the Conference include the following.

• Skills are built in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Africa to uptake and use digital technologies;
• Digital technologies are effectively and efficiently applied in the whole value chain of the processes of hydrometeorological service delivery;
• Partnerships with public and private sectors on Infrastructure, as well as Service Delivery capacities in National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), are enhanced; and
• Recommendations for Regional Association I (Africa) Strategy for digital transformation for 2024 – 2027 is developed.

Press Conference on RECO and the High-Level will occur on 13 and 16 February 2023, respectively.
Participants in the Conference will include:

Prof. Petteri Taalas
WMO Secretary-General

H.E. Dr. Habtamu Itefa: 
Minister for Ministry of Water and Energy

H.E. Dr. Girma Amante,
Minister for Ministry of Agriculture

Venue:
Inter Luxury Hotel,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For further details and accreditation for journalists, please contact:

Dr Kosmos E. Akande-Alasoka (DPA)
Public Information Officer
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Regional Office for Africa (RAF)
Lideta Sub City,
Yared Street
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mobile:+251944363280
Email: kakande-alasoka@wmo.int
web: www.wmo.int