September 2024, Brussels
The 4th ClimSA Forum took place from 24th to 27th June 2024 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Held annually, the forums bring together all ClimSA Programme stakeholders to address key challenges and share experiences in their respective regions and Regional Climate Centers (RCCs). This year’s focus was on gathering feedback from end-users and policymakers on the use of climate services across various socio-economic sectors and discuss the way forward.
Ahead of the Forum, a survey was held among end users of the Programme, gathering feedback from more than 120 stakeholders. The results of the survey have served as basis for discussions and reflexions. The wide-ranging debates and exchanges among participants were crucial in enhancing understanding of best adaptive practices for climate service adoption, taking into account regional specificities and vulnerabilities. This helped improving awareness on uptake and application of climate services in key sectors.
Successful engagement and participation from all regions
The Forum attracted a notable audience both online and in person and saw participation from all OACPS regions. Seventy-five delegates attended in Montego Bay, representing all stakeholders of the ClimSA Programme. Overall, the event achieved successful engagement and participation over the four days, with 421 online registrations and 207 remote attendees.
Science-driven policy making
The Forum underscored the importance of a robust science-policy interface. High-level policy-makers discussed the integration of climate services into national policies and development agendas, with calls to enhance risk-based decision-making. The event also stressed the necessity for donor support and capacity building to ensure the long-term sustainability of climate initiatives across the OACPS regions. Key recommendations to improve climate services were gathered through animated debates. These include enhancing usability and accessibility, customising services to meet local needs and developing sector-specific climate information. There was a strong call to incorporate traditional indigenous knowledge, build capacity among end-users and policymakers and foster greater collaboration between stakeholders. Participants also emphasised the need to integrate climate information into policy frameworks, secure funding, and improve the quality of services offered by RCCs to build trust. Establishing formal communication channels and promoting multi-stakeholder involvement were seen as crucial steps for effective climate action.
Empowering decision-making and collaboration
The ClimSA approach fosters South-South and triangular cooperation and is believed to be key in enabling developing countries to collectively boost their resilience to climate change while promoting sustainable development. Ms Pratt, Assistant Secretary General for Environment and Climate Action at OACPS highlighted the urgency of developing long-term strategies to sustain climate services and their applications. She stressed the need for a compelling business case to be presented to governments and partners, emphasising the critical role climate services play in achieving sustainability and resilience. The ClimSA Forum underscored the importance of climate services as a fundamental right, illustrating their role in supporting adaptation, mitigation and the global commitments of the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement.
The Forum concluded with a session focused on next steps for applying climate services in ACP sub-regions, with a particular emphasis on empowering decision-makers and establishing a science-policy interface platform. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening climate services for regional resilience and the event’s outcomes were set to drive continued collaboration and progress in this critical field.