THE 71ST GREATER HORN OF AFRICA CLIMATE OUTLOOK FORUM (GHACOF 71) KICKS OFF IN NAIROBI

THE 71ST GREATER HORN OF AFRICA CLIMATE OUTLOOK FORUM (GHACOF 71) KICKS OFF IN NAIROBI

By Stella Ranji 

NAIROBI, AUGUST 25, 2025 

The 71st Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 71) organised by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), in collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Department and other partners, was officially opened today in Nairobi, Kenya.

The two-day forum, themed “Climate Services for Bridging the Early Warning Gap Together,” has brought together climate scientists, policymakers, researchers, development partners, the private sector, and sectoral users to:

· Evaluate the performance and effects of the June to September (JJAS) 2025 season.

Present the consolidated objective regional climate outlook for the OND 2025 season.
Discuss the implications of the OND 2025 climate forecast and management strategies.
Speaking during the opening session, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Dr. Debora Barasa noted that year’s theme, “Climate Services for Bridging the Early Warning Gap Together”, speaks directly to the urgent challenges facing the region.

“The Greater Horn of Africa is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate extremes, with communities facing the consequences of erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods. These climate-related risks do not respect borders; they test the resilience of both IGAD and EAC Member States alike. Addressing them requires more than awareness; it calls for shared knowledge, timely information, and a united regional approach. Over the past 28 years, GHACOF has become a cornerstone of regional climate service delivery, bringing together climate scientists, decision-makers, and sectoral users to translate the Regional Seasonal climate outlook into actionable solutions for key sectors in the region,” said Dr. Debora Barasa.

Also present at the opening ceremony was IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, noted that the Greater Horn of Africa continues to experience the climate crisis, adding that seasons that once followed familiar rhythms now arrive with uncertainty- bringing longer and harsher droughts, sudden floods, and unpredictable rainfall patterns.

“One of the most powerful tools we have in this journey is climate information. When it is timely, reliable, and accessible, it saves lives, protects livelihoods, and enables governments and communities to plan better. When it fails to reach the last mile, the cost is counted in human suffering. This is why collaboration and early action are critical; resilience cannot be built in silos. IGAD is making deliberate efforts to scale up the delivery of climate services that are not only scientifically robust but also practical and user-driven. As we release the October–December 2025 seasonal outlook, I encourage all of us present here, REC’s Divisions and specialised units, governments, development partners, scientists, and the media to use this forum to strengthen collaboration, to link science with policy, and to translate forecasts into early action,” said IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdi Ware.

Kenya Meteorological Department Acting Director Mr. Edward Muriuki said, “ The implementation of the early warning system for all initiative will significantly reduce the damage caused by climate-related hazards by providing critical lead time needed to evacuate affected communities, safeguard infrastructure, and implement risk reduction measures. However, the effectiveness of the early warning systems depends on our collective action. We need to invest in the development and maintenance of these systems. It is our responsibility to ensure that warnings reach everyone, including the most vulnerable communities. This Forum is therefore a critical step to develop early warning protocols and also an opportunity to educate our people about the risks of climate change and how to respond effectively to mitigate against risks. The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) remains committed to ensuring that weather and climate services are accurate and timely for effective decision-making. The continued partnership between KMD and ICPAC is evident at both the national and county levels through initiatives such as the National Climate Outlook Forums, Participatory Scenario Planning, and PICSA training, which ICPAC continues to support. These programs ensure that this critical information is available to the last-mile user and have significantly enhanced our capacity to cope with climate-related challenges through proper planning from timely and accurate climate information.”

Popular posts from this blog

Global Leaders Convene in Nairobi to Forge Path for Climate-Resilient Africa

Image
Global Leaders Convene in Nairobi to Forge Path for Climate-Resilient Africa By Stella Ranji  Nairobi, Kenya – June 30, 2025 — A diverse coalition of global leaders, scientists, faith leaders, and grassroots actors convened in Nairobi today for the opening of the Vatican African Conference on Climate Resilience, a landmark summit aimed at designing a new era of climate adaptation rooted in equity, local knowledge, and science. Hosted at CIFOR-ICRAF, the two-day summit (June 30 – July 1) marks a pivotal step toward shaping a climate-resilient Africa, with an emphasis on decentralising climate policy and financing to reach the continent’s most vulnerable communities. The gathering is co-convened by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS), in collaboration with the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) and other regional and international partners. At the heart of the conference is a call for urgent, inclusive, a...
Read more

Cricket Kenya Launches CK T20 League to Honour Past Glory and Usher in New Era

Image
Cricket Kenya Launches CK T20 League to Honour Past Glory and Usher in New Era By Stella Ranji  NAIROBI, August 27, 2025  In a bold move to revive the nation's cricketing legacy and propel the sport into a new era, Cricket Kenya (CK) on Wednesday officially launched the CK T20 League, a franchise-based tournament set to begin this November in Nairobi. The league will pay tribute to Kenya’s golden generation of cricketers — the national teams of 1996 to 2003, who famously elevated the country to global prominence, including a historic semi-final appearance in the 2003 ICC World Cup. The new T20 competition aims to not only honour those achievements but also develop the next wave of cricketing talent in Kenya and across the African continent. The initiative comes after the signing of a lucrative partnership between Cricket Kenya and AOS Sport Tournament, a Dubai/India-based sports promotion company. The collaboration is expected to inject professionalism, visibility,...
Read more

KISM Reaffirms Commitment to Digitizing Public Procurement through EGP System Rollout

Image
KISM Reaffirms Commitment to Digitizing Public Procurement through EGP System Rollout By Wilson Amondo  Nairobi  September 3, 2025 The Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) has reaffirmed its strategic support for the nationwide rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement System (EGPS), positioning supply chain professionals as a critical pillar in modernizing and professionalizing public procurement in Kenya. As a statutory body established under the Supplies Practitioners Management Act (SPMA) No.17 of 2007, KISM is mandated to register, license, train, discipline, and regulate supply chain professionals across the country. With over 28,000 members, the Institute is playing a leading role in facilitating the end-to-end digital transformation of procurement processes. “The rollout of EGPS is not just a government directive—it is a necessary evolution,” said the Institute in a statement released after the recent Heads of Procurement Forum held from Aug...
Read more