The meeting of the heads of states was held in accordance with the approved EAC Calendar of Activities for the period January – June 2024. The aim of the meeting was to assess Meteorological Operations in the East African Community (EAC) and make policy recommendations for consideration by 19^th Sectoral Council on Transport, Communication and Meteorology (TCM). The Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) awareness session was also added to the meeting agenda with a purpose of enhancing participation of experts from the region in IPCC process.

Tanzania had an opportunity to share TMA capacity to support the enhancement of meteorological services in various areas within the region. The areas of expertise at which TMA is aiming to provide support to other NMHS in the region includes Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP), Database Management, Radar Meteorology, automation of meteorological observations and its dissemination through Digital Meteorological Observation (DMO), automatic display of meteorological information for aviation using Meteorological Aviation Information System (MAIS) and the implementation of Quality Management System (QMS).

The Acting Director General of TMA and the IPCC Vice Chair, Dr. Ladislaus Chang’a provided recommendations on the report of the meteorological operations while highlighting the need to ensure cross learning and experience sharing within the region. He stated that “the solution we need is within ourselves and NMHS should make the most use of the expertism existing within the region and among NMHS to improve the provision of early warning services”. The statement was supported by the by the Acting Director General of Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) Dr. Bob Alex who said “lets all work together to ensure no one is left behind”.

The meeting came up with recommendations calling for WMO through Crews Project to support the highlighted capacity building areas to the met services within the region.

Likewise, The Acting Director General and IPCC Vice chair had an opportunity to share the IPCC priorities and strategies for enhancing participation of scientists from developing countries in IPCC Process. He highlighted that, every additional warning, the intensity and frequency of extreme events are increasing and are projected to continue increasing. He lastly recommended for the EAC to consider the preparation of policy briefs from findings of IPCC reports.

Twitter: The EAC heads of the NMHS were encouraged to participate in the work of IPCC and to consider preparation of Policy briefs from findings of IPCC reports.