Addis Ababa — The African Union Fee has emphasised as we speak the necessity for stronger continental preparedness and coordinated motion to mitigate the potential impacts of the anticipated 2026 El Niño phenomenon.
The 2026 El Niño phenomenon is a Pacific Ocean warming local weather phenomenon which is predicted to pose dangers to meals safety, livelihoods, water sources and demanding sectors throughout Africa.
In his welcoming remarks on the opening of the Extraordinary Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Improvement, Water and Setting, Harsen Nyambe, African Union Fee Director for Sustainable Setting and Blue Economic system stated the assembly is convened to deal with the upcoming menace posed by the anticipated El Niño phenomenon and to strengthen Africa’s preparedness and response.
The Director defined that such local weather extremes might have critical penalties for communities and economies, notably in international locations the place agriculture stays a serious supply of livelihoods.
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International local weather fashions point out a excessive likelihood of an El Niño occasion in 2026, with doable impacts together with excessive heatwaves, agricultural disruptions, water shortage and elevated dangers of illness outbreaks throughout the continent.
Based on the Director, the assembly supplies an vital platform for member states, regional financial communities, technical establishments and companions to strengthen coordination, enhance preparedness mechanisms and develop measures geared toward lowering the affect of climate-related shocks.
The discussions can even advance Africa’s local weather priorities forward of COP31 in Türkiye and preparations towards COP32, which Ethiopia is ready to host.
The Extraordinary STC Specialised Technical Committee has introduced collectively representatives from AU member states, regional financial communities, the African Centre of Meteorological Purposes for Improvement (ACMAD), local weather establishments, improvement companions, the World Meteorological Group (WMO), the United Nations Workplace for Catastrophe Threat Discount (UNDRR), and different technical organizations.