Chronicle Editor
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
Zimbabwe is set to host the 29th Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-29) 2024 in Harare.
Slotted for Harare from August 18 to 30, 2024, the Forum will bring together climate scientists from the 15 member states of the SADC region.
Cabinet on Tuesday received and approved the hosting of SARCOF-29, 2024 as presented by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni.
In a post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said: “SARCOF-29 will bring together climate scientists from the 15 member states of the SADC region that are expected to come up with a consensus 2024/2025 rainfall season, which will then be shared with stakeholders from around the region.”
He said the hosting of the SARCOF-29 will offer an opportunity to the country to showcase to the region the National Early Warning System infrastructure which the Second Republic has invested in.
According to African Arguments investing in early warning systems in Africa could save countless lives and livelihoods on the continent that accounted for 35 percent of all weather, climate, and water-related fatalities between 1970 and 2021. It would also quickly pay for itself in losses avoided, many times over.
It is said that investing US$1 billion in early warning systems would avoid US$35 billion in losses each year.
Bongani Ndlovu