Side event 11

The ClimSA Programme aims to strengthen the climate services value chain: from access to information, generation and provision of climate services to engagement and capacity of users to ensure utilisation of these services. One of its key objectives is to mainstream climate services into regional and national policies, programming and development plans, thereby reducing vulnerability to climate impacts and variability, and ensuring sustainable development across the ACP regions.

The overall objective of this side event is to discuss and showcase the efforts and best practices for integrating climate information into decision-making processes across the Southern and Eastern Africa regions and identify synergies with the Caribbean Region. The specific objectives are to:

• Create awareness on the importance of integrating climate information into sectoral planning and decision-making processes
• Discuss how and the extent to which climate information and/or services are being mainstreamed into a policy/strategy/plan in SADC and IGAD regions and draw parallels with the ones in the Caribbean region
• Share experiences, lessons learned, and best practices in mainstreaming climate information across various sectors among the Regional Climate Centres
• Discuss and showcase the draft mainstreaming guideline developed through the SADC-ClimSA Programme
• Discuss the challenges for mainstreaming climate information in national and regional policies, strategies, and development plans.

ACMAD will contribute in discussion by highlighting best practices in mainstreaming climate information at continental level