Africa Climate Conference : Arusha, October 2013

framework World climate Research Programme (WRCP) + African Climate Policy Center (ACPC) Decision makers Climate researchers, scientists and practitioners from Africa and around the world Coordinate climate research in africa to adress urgnet information needs and deliver operational climate services for policy makers, adaptation planners and vulnerable communities in Africa

Plenary Day 1 A1 – Grand Challenges & Frontiers of African Climate Research to Inform Adaptation Decision- making in the 21st century in Africa Parallel Session B1: Modelling and Predicting Climate Impacts Parallel Session B2: Mainstreaming climate services Side Event S1 – Africa Development Bank Pilot Program for Climate Resilience Side Event S2 – NORWAY GFCS Project Launch Event Plenary Day 2 A2 – State of Knowledge, Research Gaps and Strategies to Address Research Gaps – Towards Coordinated Pan-African Research – Short Range Planning and Extremes Preparedness Parallel Session B3: Climate Variability and Predictability Parallel Session B4 – Observations for Monitoring, Understanding and Predicting Climate Side Event S3 – ACMAD: Losses and Damages due to extreme climate events Side Event S4 – HYVIC Project Plenary Day 3 A3 – State of Knowledge, Research Gaps and Strategies to Address Research Gaps – Towards Coordinated Pan-African Research – Long Term Planning Parallel Session B5: Africa in a Changing Climate Parallel Session B6: Regional Downscaling, Forecast Uncertainty and Verification Side Event S5 – AMCOMET, UNESCO, GFCS, IRDC Side Event Side Event S6 – Future Climate Future Africa (FCFA), DfID/CDKN Plenary Day 4 A4 – Advancing Climate Research Frontiers – Priority Research Gaps to Address Critical Climate Service Needs of End-Users, Policy Developers and Vulnerable Communities in Africa A5 – Climate Research Programs to Address Priority Climate Research Gaps and Inform Adaptation Decision-Making in Africa – Summary of Conclusions and Lessons Learned from ACC2013 A6 – Closing Session AGENDA

outcome Coordinated research agenda to advance current frontiers of climate knowledge knowledge to inform adaptation decision-making and climate risk management in Africa, provide policy-makers a better decision tools pan-African climate research program proposals bridging the gap between social and biophysical research, and between Research and Application, coordinated climate research agenda for Africa that brings research outputs together with user needs consultation with the broader research community, both climate science and user groups, and partners

Concept notes :“Climate Information Partnerships for Resilience and Early Warning – Africa (CIPREWA)” (Richard Graham, Filipe Lucio) 3-5 years (sub) projects for each of 4 regions: West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa and southern Africa (NMHSs, users, GPCs, Universities) – WP1: Forecast producer/forecast user consultation and dialogue – WP2: Strengthening use of Global Producing Centre (GPC) forecasts in RCC and NMHSs seasonal outlooks – WP3: Enhanced interaction between RCCs and NMHSs – WP4: Strengthening uptake of seasonal forecast products in user decision-making – WP5: Capacity development

Concept notes :“African Climate Data and information System (ACDIS)” (?) A web based platform/infrastructure to organize local and regional in situ climate data, to develop and provide climate services Collection and quality control of stations datasets Generation of reanalyzes and analyses datasets merging model data and observations from surface, air and space based observations Analysis and visualization of data and products with a web based map room ( eg. IRI map room) Provision of web based climate statements, reports, bulletins, advices, outlooks, scenarios, non quantitative ( eg traditional knowledge ) and quantitative information on climate impacts on different development sectors, policies, strategies and practices ( using web and wiki page of ADIS) Provision of advices and responses to other requests using web and wiki page of the user interface Real or near real time exchange of data and products ( e.g Connection to the Next Generation Regional Meteorological Data Communication Network in Europe – operated by ECMWF, connection to WMO/ WIS as a DCPC)

Enhance seasonal and sub-seasonal predictability and its application Revisit seasonal to intra-seasonal forecasting in africa and tide it up with the user community needs : from useful (science) to useable (demand) products Map existing efforts on forecasting and make an evaluation Involve more stakeholders for more accurate products : more centres products, universities in the COFs, … frame the user demand : create user-only forum for climate services (other way discussion) to understand the need Organize forum per sector : hydrology, health, agriculture, … to taillor the product Training on modelling science and new tools : climate science, model uncertainties interpretation and communication, statistical tools, new (multi-model) approaches, Include social scientists and journalists in climate services Increase awareness of government and decision makers

“white paper” on initiatives, mechanisms and coordination of climate research for development in africa Priorities for african climate research Coordination and institution to put in place, Establishment of task teams Mapping institutions and initiatives engaged in climate science and research activities in Africa Web base catalogue : mapping Recommendations based on other experiences in other regions