PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

The preliminary programme for the 17^th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa plenary sessions brings together an Opening Ceremony, an Introductory session, 9 technical sessions and a technical visit.

As in previous editions, the Forum will offer participants an opportunity to review progress made since the last Forum and to examine upcoming developments in satellite meteorology, weather and climate services and environmental monitoring across the continent.

This 17th edition of the Forum gives particular attention to the initial feedback from the African user community on Meteosat Third Generation products and the PUMA-2025 stations. It will also give room to the activities of the Strengthening Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) project.

After the Opening ceremony, the Introductory session will include keynotes on the main policy and programme that frame the cooperation between African institutions, EUMETSAT and the European Union. This session will also look back at the recommendations from the 16th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa.

Session #1 will provide an update on ongoing EUMETSAT programmes, including MTG, MSG, EPS, Jason, EPS-SG and the Satellite Application Facilities. It will place a special focus on improvements in data access, and the training efforts supporting African users as they transition to new services and products.

Session #2 will specifically focus on MTG providing participants with an update on MTG status, dissemination, and user services. It will also feature a report from the RAIDEG Chair.

On the second Day, Session #3 will present initial feedback and showcases from NMHSs on their experience with MTG data and products as well as with the PUMA-2025 stations, related training activities. This session offers African users an opportunity to share experiences and lessons learned in the transition to MTG.

Session #4 will be dedicated to the “Global Gateway / Strengthening Early Warning in Africa” project bringing together several initiatives that contribute to strengthening multi-hazard preparedness across Africa. Implementation status and plans and interactions among key stakeholders will take place during this session.

On Wednesday, Session #5 will continue the work initiated in Session #4 through splinter group discussions on the implementation of the SEWA project. Participants will enable a more in-depth discussion of regional priorities, technical assistance and operational needs, in close coordination with RCCs and RSMCs.

On Thursday, Session #6 will bring together the outcomes of the splinter group discussions , presenting conclusions and main recommendations emerging from Sessions #4 and #5 of the Forum.

Session #7 will focus on the use of Earth observation for hydrology, with contributions from the EUMETSAT Hydrology-SAF and presentations on the use of satellite altimetry and other datasets to support river basin monitoring, flood monitoring and other water-related services in Africa.

Session #8 will address Atmosphere, Air-quality and GHG monitoring, bringing together initiatives and projects involved in atmospheric composition analysis. Presentations will cover outcomes of the ClimSA programme, products and other showcases in Africa, This session will also include a discussion on the implementation of the Cotonou Declaration on greenhouse-gas and air-quality monitoring, declaration adopted during the 16th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa.

On Friday, session #9 will explore the use of satellite-derived climate data and services for agriculture, with contributions from results of the ClimSA programmes as well as presentation of the upcoming ArcX Climate project. It will highlight new climate services for agriculture and related applications in support to food security and agriculture.

Session #10 will examine the growing role of satellite Earth observation in supporting the renewable energy sector, showcasing applications and services that leverage satellite data for solar and wind resource assessment in Africa.

The week will conclude with a session devoted to reviewing and endorsing the recommendations emerging from the Forum.

A technical visit is scheduled during the Forum on Wednesday afternoon, with further logistical details to be shared with participants.