In response to major challenges related to the delivery of weather and climate services in Africa, the African Ministerial Conference on Meteorology (AMCOMET) was initiated as a permanent forum where African ministers convene every two years to discuss matters related to the development of meteorology and its applications and its contribution to the socio-economic development in Africa. AMCOMET was established in April 2010 during the First Conference of Ministers Responsible for Meteorology in Africa, where the ministers adopted the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration. Hydro-meteorological services in Africa lack the capacity to provide quality services for users as the WMO Assistant Secretary General, Dr. Elena Maneankova told The Ethiopian Herald in an exclusive interview. Dr. Elena Maneankova has participated in the development of the concept for the establishment of ClimDev Africa. Now this project is flourishing getting the support of different stakeholders and the African Union. Dr. Maneankova explained that the initial idea of the establishment of ClimDev Africa was to help Africa get climate data which it was lacking. Meanwhile, AMCOMET was established to provide political support to the regional climate and development activities and, to position hydro-meteorological services at the basement of every development and climate adaptation activities, according to the WMO Assistant Secretary-General.  Full Article

Source:  Ethiopian Herald Newspaper