Overview

By its resolution 540 (XX) in 1985, the Conference of Ministers of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on behalf of the member States of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, resolved that an African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development should be established for the purpose of:

• the understanding of atmospheric and climatic processes over Africa;

• collecting, analysing and disseminating meteorological and hydrological information;
• providing a meteorological watch and early warning system over Africa and;
• promoting the training of African scientists and technicians in the application of meteorology for development;

  Practical and useful actions can presently be taken to alleviate the effects of drought, atmospheric phenomena, tropical cyclones by applying methodologies based on a thorough knowledge of the impact of meteorological factors on food production, on the availability of water resources and on new and renewable sources of energy;

  By the said resolution 540 (XX) the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development is to be operated with the support of the member States of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and of the World Meteorological Organisation.