NAIROBI, Kenya– Experts have warned that the Greater Horn of Africa faces intensifying climate-related risks as the 71st Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 71) opened in Nairobi on Monday.
The two-day meeting will focus on improving early warning systems and translating climate forecasts into actionable policies.
Organised by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) in collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Department, the forum brings together climate scientists, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and private sector players.
Delegates are reviewing the June–September 2025 season and will unveil the official regional climate outlook for the October–December (OND) period, a season that is critical for agriculture and food security across the region.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Debora Barasa, said the forum’s theme, “Climate Services for Bridging the Early Warning Gap Together,” underscores the urgency of coordinated regional action.
“The Greater Horn of Africa is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate extremes, with communities facing the consequences of erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods,” she said.
“Addressing them requires more than awareness; it calls for shared knowledge, timely information, and a united regional approach.”
IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware noted that changing weather patterns were destabilising the region’s economies.
“One of the most powerful tools we have in this journey is climate information. When it is timely, reliable, and accessible, it saves lives, protects livelihoods, and enables governments and communities to plan better,” he said.
“When it fails to reach the last mile, the cost is counted in human suffering.”
The OND 2025 seasonal forecast, set to be released during the forum, is expected to inform planning in agriculture, water management, energy, and disaster preparedness.
GHACOF’s past projections have been central in guiding humanitarian and development responses across the region.
Kenya Meteorological Department Acting Director, Edward Muriuki, stressed that expanding early warning infrastructure would be key to reducing losses.
He urged governments to invest more in ensuring climate alerts reach vulnerable communities.
The Horn of Africa has endured cycles of extreme droughts and floods in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for stronger climate services and regional cooperation.
