By NECJOGHA News Desk
The 73rd Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 73) will take place in Addis Ababa on 18–19 May 2026, convened by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC).
The gathering will focus on “Climate Services for Resilience and Sustainable Development” and highlight the importance of “Enhancing Early Warning and Anticipatory Action for Climate Extremes.”
Organizers stress that the event is not just about forecasts but about action. As one ICPAC representative explained, “GHACOF is about turning forecasts into action ensuring that climate information directly supports farmers, health workers, and disaster managers.” The forum will present the consolidated regional outlook for the June–September 2026 rainfall season, a critical period for agriculture and water resources across the Greater Horn.
Ahead of the main sessions, ICPAC has scheduled preparatory engagements: a webinar with sectoral institutions on 6 May 2026 and a Climate Prediction Development Workshop from 11–15 May 2026. These pre-forum activities are designed to refine the forecast and strengthen collaboration among national meteorological services. “We want the outlook to be co-owned by the region’s institutions and communities,” noted one climate scientist involved in the process.
GHACOF 73 will bring together government ministries, research institutions, humanitarian organisations, civil society, and the private sector. The diversity of participants reflects the forum’s ambition to bridge science and policy. An IGAD official emphasized, “Climate extremes are no longer distant threats they are here. GHACOF 73 is about ensuring that communities across the Greater Horn of Africa are prepared, not surprised.”
The forum will culminate in the GHACOF 73 Statement, providing actionable guidance for governments and humanitarian agencies. This statement is expected to serve as a blueprint for early warning systems, anticipatory action, and resilience-building across the region.
