Kenya joins IGAD in call for united front as Horn of Africa faces climate extremes
Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa stressed the urgency of regional cooperation in the fight against Climate Change.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 71st Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF 71) in Nairobi, Barasa stated that the effects of climate change do not respect boundaries, hence the requirement of a united approach.
“The Greater Horn of Africa is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate extremes, with communities facing erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods. These risks do not respect borders and require a united regional approach. GHACOF has, over the past 28 years, become a cornerstone of climate service delivery, linking science to actionable solutions for key sectors,” the CS stated.
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware warned that the region’s climate systems are increasingly unpredictable, noting that reliable climate information is vital for resilience.
“When timely, reliable, and accessible, climate information saves lives and protects livelihoods. But when it fails to reach the last mile, the cost is counted in human suffering. This is why collaboration and early action are critical. Resilience cannot be built in silos,” Ware said as he urged participants to strengthen the link between science, policy, and early action.
GHACOF 71 brought together climate scientists, policymakers, researchers, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to deliberate on regional climate trends and forecasts.
Climate Scientists, Policymakers, researchers, and climate scientists among other stakeholders in the private sector are meeting in Nairobi for the 71st session of the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum.
Organised by IGAD and Applications Centre (ICPAC) in collaboration with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and partners, the two-day forum is themed ‘Climate Services for Bridging the Early Warning Gap Together’ will evaluate the performance of the June–September 2025 season, present the consolidated climate outlook for October–December 2025, and discuss strategies for managing expected impacts.
GHACOF 71 will conclude on Tuesday with the release of the official October–December 2025 Climate Outlook for the Greater Horn of Africa.
