The Southern African Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-28) commenced in Maputo, Mozambique, inaugurated by H.E. Mateus Magala, the Minister of Transport and Communications of Mozambique.

Scheduled from January 29 to 31, 2024, SARCOF-28 focuses on assessing the impacts of the October-December 2023 rainfall season, issuing forecasts for February-June 2024, and advancing the establishment of Regional Sectoral User Interface Products (RSUIPs).

The forum, attended by representatives from various sectors including Agriculture, Food Security, Water, and Health, aims to develop mitigation strategies based on consensus forecasts to enhance the SADC region’s preparedness for adverse weather and climate impacts.

SARCOF-28 also seeks to strengthen collaboration with other climate services actors to improve decision-ready products and formalize User Interface Platforms (UIPs) for sector-specific climate services. Funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the SADC Secretariat, SARCOF is a flagship event under the Intra-ACP Climate Services and related Application Programme (ClimSA).