Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, November 28, 2024 – From November 25th to 29th, 2024, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Columbia Climate School International Research Institute for Climate and Society and the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service, will host the 2024-25 Dry Season Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) at Bay Gardens Hotel in Rodney Bay.
Bringing together meteorologists, climatologists, and practitioners from climate sensitive socio-economic sectors in the region, the forum aims to address the challenges posed by climate variability and change while providing actionable solutions to mitigate their impacts. As a cornerstone in the region’s climate services landscape, this five-day event is essential for advancing climate resilience across the Caribbean.
Mr. Adrian Trotman, Chief of Applied Meteorology and Climatology and Head of the Caribbean Regional Climate Centre at CIMH, highlighted the forum's significance noting, “CariCOF is more than an event; it’s a vital platform for equipping our region with the tools and knowledge to manage the impacts of a changing climate. This collaboration ensures that science informs decision-making in climate-sensitive sectors, helping us to better prepare for what lies ahead.”
A key feature of the event will be the Stakeholder Forum on November 28th and 29th, where participants will engage with seasonal forecasts for rainfall, temperature, drought and heat risks, and sub-seasonal predictions. The Stakeholder Forum fosters dialogue between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and sectoral practitioners, emphasizing strategies to reduce climate risks. Discussions will focus on innovations in sub-seasonal forecasting and the future of climate services, with particular attention to the water and agriculture sectors which are heavily impacted by the dry season.
Ms. Vigil Saltibus, Acting Director of the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service, expressed enthusiasm for the forum stating "tackling the challenges of a changing climate requires teamwork. CariCOF plays an important role in bringing together insights and resources to help us be better prepared for what's ahead, particularly in the climate-sensitive sectors of water, agriculture, health, energy and tourism."
The week’s activities will begin with technical training for Caribbean meteorologists and climatologists from November 25th to 27th. Participants will learn to utilize cutting-edge tools, including CAROGEN version 2, heat-health early warning indices, and hazard-tailored climate products developed through the ClimSA Climate Station. This training will enhance the capacity of regional NMHSs to deliver timely and accurate climate services to vulnerable sectors.
Another integral component of the week will be the 11th Meeting of the Consortium of Sectoral Early Warning Information Systems across Climate Timescales (EWISACTs) Coordination Partners, held on November 26th and 27th. This meeting will evaluate progress on the implementation of the regional Roadmap and Plan of Action (RPA) 2020-2030 for co-developing climate services across key sectors. Discussions will also cover resource mobilization and the planning of future CariCOFs to ensure their sustained success.
The 2024-25 Dry Season CariCOF is made possible through support provided by the Intra-ACP Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme, funded by the European Union, and the Enhancing Climate Resilience in the Caribbean through the Improvement of Caribbean Climate Outlook Forums (CariCOF) project, undertaken through a partnership between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of State.
Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, emphasized the EU’s continued commitment to supporting Caribbean climate resilience. Ambassador Wasilewska emphasized “that the collaboration between Europe and the Caribbean in Disaster Risk Management has been reinforced recently by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the topic between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean countries. And the support of the EU to CARICOF as a vital platform is a practical illustration of this MoU.”
Ms. Lisa Vaughan, Adaptation Sciences Program Manager at NOAA, also underscored the importance of collaboration stating “that there are substantial benefits to working together to address climate and weather-related events and their impacts on our infrastructure, economy and public health and safety; NOAA values our long-term collaboration with the Caribbean region on activities that encompass science and observations, as well as the co-production of approaches with stakeholders for harnessing this information to foster more adaptive and resilient communities.”
The Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum, which is held biannually, continues to demonstrate the region’s commitment to addressing the impacts of climate variability and change through collaboration, innovation, and the integration of science into decision-making processes. This year’s Dry Season CariCOF is particularly significant, as it seeks to provide critical climate services that address the cascading effects of reduced water availability on the water sector, and agriculture, food security.
Media contacts:
Lyn-Marie Deane, Communications Specialist, Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) –