22ND GREATER HORN OF AFRICA CLIMATE OUTLOOK FORUM (GHACOF22)

THE TWENTY SECOND GREATER HORN OF AFRICA CLIMATE OUTLOOK FORUM (GHACOF 22)
IGAD CLIMATE PREDICTION AND APPLICATIONS CENTRE (ICPAC)
VENUE: Nairobi, Kenya
DATE: 28 – 29 August 2008

INTRODUCTION
The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) and other partners are organizing the Twenty Second Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 22) to be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 28 to 29 August 2008. The forum will be held within the framework of ICPAC’s strategies for enhancing applications of climate information for disaster risk management and sustainable development of the member countries. The forum is supported by the USAID/OFDA funded project “Climate Prediction and Applications for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA)”, which is being coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The forum is expected to bring together climate scientists involved in seasonal climate prediction, the user community and decision-makers. The main objective of the forum is to develop regional consensus climate outlook for the September to December 2008 rainfall season. It will also provide a regional interaction platform for the climate scientists and various users of climate early warning advisories. Further, the forum will review lessons / experiences gained from the use of the products provided at the Twenty First Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF21) held in Entebbe, Uganda from 28 to 29 February 2008. It will also discuss the potential impacts of the regional consensus climate outlook and formulate mitigation strategies for various socio-economic sectors.

PARTICIPANTS
Participants will include climate scientists from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA), universities, research institutions as well as regional and international organizations engaged in climate modeling, prediction and applications. All users of climate information and prediction products from various socio-economic sectors including Disaster management, Agriculture, Livestock, Food security, Water resources, Hydropower generation, Health, Conflict early warning are encouraged to attend. Various regional and international Governmental and Non-Governmental organizations and the development partners will also attend the forum.

WORKING LANGUAGE
English will be the working language for the forum.

CO-OPERATING INSTITUTIONS
The cooperating Institutions include Institut Géographique du Burundi; Météorologie Nationale de Djibouti; Eritrea Meteorological Service; National Meteorological Services Agency of Ethiopia; Kenya Meteorological Department; Rwanda Meteorological Services; Somalia Meteorological Services; Sudan Meteorological Authority; Tanzania Meteorological Agency; Uganda Department of Meteorology; IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC); SADC/Drought Monitoring Centre; African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development (ACMAD); International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI); World Meteorological Organization (WMO); European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF); NOAA/National Centers for Environmental Prediction; the United Kingdom Meteorological Office; University of Nairobi; USAID/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance; United Nations / International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN / ISDR); FEWS-NET and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) among others.

SPONSORSHIP
Participating Organizations are expected to sponsor their nominees. However, needy participants may requests for consideration in case we get some resources from our development partners.

REGISTRATION
If you are interested in attending the forum kindly fill the appended registration form and return it to us as soon as possible.

For more information, suggestions or comments, contact:
The Director
IGAD CLIMATE PREDICTION AND APPLICATIONS CENTRE
P.O. BOX 10304, 00100-NAIROBI, KENYA
Tel 254 20 3878340 or 254 20 3876957/60
Fax 254 20 3878343
Telex 22208
E-mail: director@icpac.net or logallo@icpac.net