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The 3rd IGAD ClimSA (Climate Services for Adaptation) high-level meeting on mainstreaming climate services in policies, development plans, and programming entered its second day with a strong focus on the critical role of climate services for the region. During the ministerial session on Tuesday, finance ministers from IGAD member states discussed the necessity of incorporating climate services into national policies and development strategies.
IGAD Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, represented by IGAD Head of Mission Dr. Fatuma Adan, highlighted IGAD’s ongoing efforts to develop a regional framework for climate services, similar to the structures already in place in Kenya and Ethiopia. This regional framework aims to provide accurate, actionable climate information to all who need it, significantly enhancing the ability of communities and sectors to build resilience against climate change.
Dr. Adan emphasized that climate services play a crucial role in addressing the region’s rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, floods, and extreme weather events, which have severely affected food security, economic development, and social stability. She noted that integrating climate services into national policies is essential for mitigating the socio-economic impacts of climate-induced challenges.
“As climate-induced stress deepens, these challenges contribute to instability and exacerbate vulnerabilities across our region. The socio-economic impact of climate services cannot be overlooked,” Dr. Adan said. Historically, climate services have been linked to safety and efficiency in sectors such as land use, aviation, transport, and agriculture. Today, these services are also helping communities prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.
By providing timely, accurate information, climate services are improving lives, protecting livelihoods, and strengthening economic resilience. Dr. Adan stressed the need for dedicated national frameworks that integrate climate services into various sectors of the economy while feeding into broader regional and continental approaches.
IGAD remains committed to supporting the development and mainstreaming of climate services to ensure the region’s resilience to climate change continues to grow.
