Africa Climate Conference 2013

The African Climate System Conference 2013 proposes to narrow the large gap currently existing between African decision-makers and climate researchers and scientists to develop a coordinated research strategy to enhance African climate scientist collaboration in order to push back the knowledge frontiers of African climate, and improve climate science outputs so that they may better inform adaptation decision-making in Africa.

Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Date: 15-18 October 2013
Registration: Open
Website: www.climdev-africa.org/acc2013

The Africa Climate Conference 2013, organized under the auspices of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and the African Climate Policy Center (ACPC), and hosted by the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanazina, will bring together decision-makers and climate researchers, scientists and applications specialists from Africa and around the world to jointly:

Identify the state of knowledge on the African climate system, recognizing current gaps in climate knowledge;
Define and drive an African agenda for future climate research that will inform adaptation decisions out to the mid- to end 21st Century.;
Develop a framework for mainstreaming climate information into decision making, as well as a network of experts who evaluate and interpret this knowledge for practical applications in areas such as agriculture ad food production, water resources management, climate risk management and adaptation planning.

The expected outcome from the Conference is a set of concrete research proposals to address the critical gaps in our knowledge of the African climate system, led by regional and national institutions and experts, to provide science-based climate knowledge that will inform decision-making out to the mid- to end 21st Century in Africa in the many sectors affected by climate variability and change.

Conference Themes

To support strategic ahead-of-season planning (1-month to 12-months outlook)
To support intra-seasonal risk monitoring and management to inform within-season operations (5 to 40 days range)
To support longer-term strategic planning/policy development (next 1-10 years)
To support Climate change adaptation policy development/planning (next 50 years)
Assessing the current vulnerability due to recent climate events
Estimation of the impacts of climate variability and change
Decision making at local scales
Building credibility and confidence in predictions, across timescales- Mainstreaming climate services into policy formulation and decision making, at all timescales

Abstract Submissions

Participants are invited to select a Conference Theme and submit a relevant abstract of at least 500 words and no longer than 1000 words as part of the registration process.

The deadline for abstract submission to the Africa Climate Conference (ACC-2013) is set to May 31, 2013.

Those selected for oral presentations will be notified by July 1st, 2013, and invited to produce extended abstracts to be included in the conference proceedings.

Financial Assistance: Limited funding is available to support scientists and researchers to attend the ACC-2013, particularly young Africa-based researchers and female scientists. Preference will be accorded to those whose abstracts have been accepted. Apply as part of the registration.

CLIVAR-GEWEX Africa Climate Research Network

The CLIVAR-GEWEX Africa Climate Panel has launched a database that aims to strengthen the network of climate scientists in Africa and to serve as an effective way of communicating relevant news and opportunities. For example, we will use it to distribute the WCRP Africa Newsletter, announcements of the ACC2013 and other meetings, training opportunities.

Join the network and create your profile with contact details and areas of expertise.