CIRDA Training Workshop
Kicks Off
Focus on Tech Transfer
and Innovation for Climate Change and Early Warning Systems
14 October 2014-Dar es Salaam-UNDP Tanzania in
partnership with 10 other African countries are holding a three days training
workshop on Tech Transfer and Innovation for Climate Change and Early Warnings
Systems at the Whitesands Hotel from 14-16 October. Tanzania is one of the most
vulnerable countries to the negative impacts of climate change. Farmers and
rural communities are particularly vulnerable due to their lack of access to
information and early warning systems. International renowned experts are working
with Tanzania to increase resilience to climate change through access to
climate data for sustainable planning.
Tanzania is collaborating with UNDP to promote
access to relevant climate data that will help reduce the impacts of climate
change in all development sectors. These efforts are being channeled through
the Multi Country Support Programme to
Strengthen Climate Information Systems in Africa (CIRDA) that brings new
technologies and capacities to help farmers, policy makers and the private
sector to make informed decisions in the face of climate change. The CIRDA
Programme, financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-Least Developed
Country Fund (LDCF), is an example of the concrete actions that African
countries are taking to increase resiliency to climate change.
The CIRDA Programme is particularly innovative
due to the significant involvement of the private sector, such as mobile
telecommunication and agricultural index insurance.
As part of the CIRDA implementation, a three-day
training workshop is being held at the White sands Hotel to provide technical knowledge
and experience to the National Meteorology and Hydrology Services such as the
Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) and Disaster Management Departments (DMDs);
in their efforts to address local and community needs. Apart from participants
from Tanzania, representatives from other CIRDA participating countries - Benin,
Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, the Gambia Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and
Principe, Uganda and Zambia - are also present.
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Richard Muyungi, UNFCCC Focal Point for the Government of the
Republic of Tanzania “The capacity to
ensure that development planning is instituted on accurate climate information
and services is extremely relevant and it is an objective for which we are glad
to work jointly with our UNDP and regional partners.”
Emphasizing on the
relevance of the training, the UNDP Country Director, Mr. Philippe Poinsot
stated “I am appealing that we have an
immense task ahead of us, none of us has immune to the effect of climate change
therefore strengthening climate information and early warning systems is crucial.”
Higlighting on this important training, Bonizella
Biagini, manager of CIRDA at UNDP-GEF reaffirmed the CIRDA commitments in
supporting the country’s weather and climate data. He said “Farmers, local communities and policymakers
in Africa need weather and climate data that are scientifically sound,
accessible and user-friendly to develop mid- and long-term National Adaptation
Plans.”
Note to
Editors:
The CIRDA Programme supports national climate service in their efforts to
collect, analyze and disseminate climate information as a key tool in long-term
planning and adaptation. The Programme is working with partners and
stakeholders in Tanzania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, the Gambia Liberia,
Malawi, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Uganda and Zambia to improve
access to relevant climate information to meet local needs and make informed
decisions. Key partners are national meteorology services, government decision
makers, private sector, farmers and local communities.
Links to global reports: http//:www.undp-alm.org/project/cirda,
http//:www.undp-cirda.blogspot.com
Contact
person:
Ø
UNDP
contact person: Abbas Kitogo, Email: Abbas.Kitogo@undp.org
Ø
CIRDA
contacts: Bonizella Biagini, Email: Bonizella.Biagini@undp.org
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