Mbabane to Host SARCOF-32 Climate Outlook Forum
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), working with the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and supported by the UK Met Office’s WISER programme (Weather and Climate Information Services for Africa), will hold the 32nd Southern Africa Regional Climate Outlook Forum (SARCOF-32) in Mbabane from 26 to 30 January 2026.
- Mbabane to Host SARCOF-32 Climate Outlook Forum
- Regional Climate Cooperation and Early Warning Priorities
- SADC Climate Services Centre: Forecasts for Key Sectors
- Capacity Building for National Meteorological Services
- WISER Support and Eswatini’s National Hosting Role
- Seasonal Forecasts and Sector Guidance for Anticipatory Action
- SARCOF-32 Agenda: Expert Meeting and Hybrid Forum Dates
- Who Will Attend: Scientists, Policymakers, Media and Partners
- Expected Outcomes: Stronger Coordination and Climate-Informed Decisions
- Contacts and Institutional Follow-Up
The programme brings together SARCOF-32 and a dedicated Climate Experts Meeting, positioning Mbabane as a regional hub for technical exchange and policy-relevant climate intelligence during the last week of January.
Regional Climate Cooperation and Early Warning Priorities
According to SADC, the high-level gatherings are designed to deepen cooperation among Member States on climate monitoring, forecasting and early warning systems, while improving preparedness, response capacity and resilience to weather and climate hazards across Southern Africa.
For public institutions and operational agencies, the meetings also serve as a practical coordination point: aligning national services around shared methods, comparable datasets and a common understanding of seasonal risks that can shape anticipatory action.
SADC Climate Services Centre: Forecasts for Key Sectors
In line with its mandate, the SADC Climate Services Centre (SADC-CSC) develops and disseminates essential meteorological, environmental and hydrometeorological products aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and supporting effective climate risk management.
SADC-CSC services are described as particularly valuable for decision-making in climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture, water resources, health, energy and disaster risk reduction—areas where seasonal variability can quickly translate into operational pressures and budgetary stress.
Capacity Building for National Meteorological Services
Beyond products, SADC-CSC emphasises capacity building by training climate experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in forecasting, analysis and the practical use of climate information.
The Centre also supports user communities, helping them interpret and apply climate services in ways that contribute to sustainable socio-economic development, especially in a region characterised in the announcement as highly vulnerable to climate variability and climate change impacts.
WISER Support and Eswatini’s National Hosting Role
SARCOF-32 is supported by the UK Met Office’s WISER programme and hosted nationally with the backing of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, through the Eswatini Meteorological Service.
This institutional arrangement reflects a familiar model in climate diplomacy: combining regional coordination, national ownership and external technical support to accelerate operational readiness without displacing local leadership.
Seasonal Forecasts and Sector Guidance for Anticipatory Action
SADC indicates that the forum will provide a strategic platform to develop, interpret and disseminate a consensus seasonal climate forecast for Southern Africa, complemented by sector-specific guidance.
The intended outcome is not only a shared outlook, but also a clearer translation of climate probabilities into planning assumptions—supporting climate-informed decisions that can be taken early, rather than after impacts materialise.
SARCOF-32 Agenda: Expert Meeting and Hybrid Forum Dates
In Mbabane, SADC-CSC will organise two main activities: the Climate Experts Meeting and the SARCOF-32 forum itself.
The Climate Experts Meeting is scheduled for 26–27 January 2026 and will be held in person. SARCOF-32 will run from 28–30 January 2026 in a hybrid format, combining on-site participation with remote access.
Who Will Attend: Scientists, Policymakers, Media and Partners
The meetings are expected to convene a broad group of stakeholders, including climate scientists and researchers, representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions, practitioners from socio-economic sectors, development partners, policymakers and media professionals.
This multi-actor design matters because the credibility of seasonal outlooks often depends on both technical consensus and effective communication, especially where public messaging and sector actions must move in step.
Expected Outcomes: Stronger Coordination and Climate-Informed Decisions
SADC states that the expected results should strengthen regional coordination, consolidate early warning systems and support timely decision-making informed by climate information within SADC Member States.
For regional governance, the Mbabane meetings underline a recurring priority: making climate services operationally useful, so that forecast information can translate into preparedness measures that protect livelihoods and support continuity in vital services.
Contacts and Institutional Follow-Up
For further information, SADC has provided contact points: Elizabeth Sebedi, Patrick Koboyatshwene, Surekha Ramessur and Anethe Mtambanengwe (SADC announcement, 19 January 2026).
The communication underscores SADC’s preference for structured follow-up through named focal points, reinforcing the forum’s role as part of a wider regional climate services architecture rather than a standalone event.
