SADC to Host Key Climate and Early Warning Meetings in Lusaka

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia and with financial backing from the European Union (EU) through the Intra-ACP Climate Services and related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, will convene a series of high-level climate engagements in Lusaka from 1 to 11 September 2025.

The events include 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. These gatherings aim to bolster regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and improve the management of weather- and climate-related risks across southern Africa.

Running under the theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together within the SADC Region”, SARCOF-31 reflects the 2025 World Meteorological Day theme and will provide a platform for dialogue and technical exchanges on advances in climate science, technology, disaster risk reduction, and anticipatory action.

The CEM will bring together climate experts from across SADC Member States to produce the regional seasonal outlook. This forecast, a vital decision-making tool, offers early guidance on expected rainfall and temperature patterns, enabling Member States to prepare in advance for agriculture, water management, public health, disaster risk reduction, and energy planning.

Meanwhile, the validation workshop on the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System will review the draft framework, design, and tools of the system. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide feedback to ensure the mechanism is practical, harmonised, and regionally owned. The aim is to strengthen early warning capacities and support timely, coordinated responses to climate and disaster risks.

Participants will include climate scientists, researchers, government officials, non-governmental organisations, socio-economic sector actors, development partners, policymakers, and the media.

The meetings will take place as follows:

• Climate Experts Meeting: 1–7 September 2025
• Validation of 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, interested stakeholders may register at: https://forms.office.com/r/49ELF8q00k.