June 13, BRIEF NOTES ON METEOROLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AT THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY PRESENTATION BY JOHN MUNGAI SENIOR METEOROLOGIST EAC

June 13, Presentation Outline  About EAC  Meteorology Sector at EAC  Genesis and Need for Regional Meteorological Society  Work Done  Expected outputs and outcomes of Society

June 13, Map of East African Community

June 13, EAC Cont...  EAC is an inter-Governmental organization  Treaty for establishment of EAC signed 1999  Set out bold vision for eventual unification  Vision to have a prosperous, competitive, secure and politically united East Africa  Mission to widen and deepen economic, political, social and cultural integration in order to improve the quality of life of the people of East Africa through increased competitiveness, value added production, trade and investment

EAC Cont..  Achievements Customs Union …zero rated tariffs for goods from within the region and similar tariffs for goods from outside the region Common Market Protocol signed in November ’09 free movement of labour free movement of capital freedom to set up residence free movement of services..Aiming for Monetary Union by and Political federation in the foreseeable future June 13, 20165

EAC Cont..  Administrative Arrangements at EAC Summit of Heads of State Council of Ministers EAC Secretariat East African Legislative Assembly East African Court of Justice Special Institutions  Lake Victoria Basin Commision  East African Development Bank  etc June 13, 20166

METEOROLOGY SECTOR AT EAC  overseen by a Committee known as the Committee of the Heads of Meteorological Services  Committee reports to the Sectoral Council on TCM  There are Taskforces and working groups that are specifically charged with some activity  Coordinated by Meteorologist at EAC Secretariat June 13, 20167

Five Year Meteorological Development Plan & Investment Strategy objective of Plan & Strategy Have in place expanded and upgraded Meteorological Services in the region Strategic Interventions: Harmonise policies for the provision of meteorological services; Build capacity in climate analysis, weather forecasting and meteorological observations June 13, 20168

Five Year Implementation cont..  Priority Projects Enhancing Capacities of Meteorological Services by improving Data processing and forecasting Systems Enhancing Safety of Navigation and Efficient Exploitation of natural Resources over Lake Victoria and its Basin by Strengthening Meteorological Services on the Lake Climate Change Master Plan for EAC June 13, 20169

Genesis of and Need for Regional Meteorological Society in East Africa  During a meeting of Directors of MET in 2008 professional meteorological societies in the region featured prominently. Two recommendations were made on the way forward. These are: Partner States continue with efforts to strengthen their national Meteorological Societies; and East African Community (EAC) to collaborate with Partner States to Establish an East African Meteorological Society. Weather/Climate play an important role in the social economic development of the EAC region. In order to have a strong and vibrant meteorological sector, meteorological operations need to be supported by research and development. This calls for collaborative efforts between industry and the research communities. June 13,

Cont..  Meteorological research in East Africa is driven mainly by Universities and meteorological societies. However due to various reasons meteorological societies have not been very active. Other than financial and organizational challenges, the national meteorological societies are hampered by lack of access to data from neighbouring countries. This is in spite of the fact that meteorological phenomena move across political boundaries.  An EAMS would address some of the shortcomings of national MET Societies. Some meteorological research questions would also best be addressed through a regional approach.  The East African Meteorological Society will be a corporate + individual membership society comprising the National Meteorological Societies, National meteorological Services (NMSs) as well as non- meteorological bodies interested in Meteorology. June 13,

Work Done in Establishing East African Meteorological Society  Drafted a constitution  Vision  To become a world class professional society capable of contributing effectively to development of meteorology and socio-economic development of the East African region.  Mission  To widen and deepen Meteorological research and development and its applications in East Africa by providing leadership and research opportunities to members   Objectives  The main objective of the Society is to advance the science of meteorology and related sciences, and to facilitate the development of applications of these disciplines in socio- economic development of the region for the public good and benefit of the peoples of East Africa and beyond. The specific objectives of the Society are to:  Coordinate and harmonize the activities of the national meteorological societies of the Partner States June 13,

 Promote the development and dissemination of information and education on meteorology and related sciences and their applications;  Participate in the formulation and development of meteorological research agenda and policy for EAC  Develop a funding strategy for the society  Facilitate, participate in and organize scientific meetings, workshops and symposia devoted to various aspects of Meteorology in order to stimulate research and promote interdisciplinary research and education  Promote the publication of relevant research results in international scientific journals;  Work out programmes in consultation with the relevant institutions to encourage young scientists to enter the field of Meteorology June 13,

Expected outcomes of EAMS  A vibrant, well funded meteorological research community in East Africa  An East Africa wide, coordinated approach to Meteorological research  Close Collaboration between meteorological services and societies  Applications of MET research in MET operations in EAC  Enhanced Capacities in meteorological research and development in the EAC region June 13,

Work to be Done in the Immediate Future  Constitution adopted by ministers responsible for meteorology  development strategy for EAMS  Budget  Fund raise  Recruitment of members  Inaugurate the society June 13,

June 13, Kilimanjaro

June 13, Frequent Droughts

June 13, Wildlife

Meteorological Disasters June 13,

2013/06/2016 Natural Disasters (More Examples)

 Work Cut out for EAMS  EAMS to play its role in MET R&D = Better early warning systems----- Sustainable Development in the EAC June 13,

June 13, Thank you!