National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF-3) opens in Bafoussam

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

Cameroon has opened the third National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF-3) in Bafoussam, bringing together national and regional stakeholders to strengthen capacities in seasonal climate forecasting and climate services. The forum is taking place from December 8 to 12, 2025, under the theme “Strengthening National Capacities in Seasonal Climate Forecasting and Climate Services.”

The event is hosted by the Bafoussam Council and organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, with support from the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development and CAPC-AC. The opening ceremony featured statements from representatives of the African Union Commission, ECCAS, CEEAC, ACMAD and the Ministry of Transport, speaking on behalf of the Government of Cameroon.

Speakers highlighted the growing impact of climate variability and extreme weather events, including floods, droughts and waterborne diseases, on key sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, infrastructure and water resources. They underscored the need to strengthen climate resilience and improve the use of climate information in decision-making processes across the country.

A total of 26 institutions from the public sector, academia, the private sector and local communities are participating in the forum. These include several government ministries and agencies, regional and international climate institutions, research bodies, universities, private agribusinesses, media organizations and representatives of the agricultural sector. Their involvement reflects a strong emphasis on producer–user engagement to ensure climate information responds to the needs of climate-sensitive sectors.

Unlike previous editions that focused mainly on dialogue among stakeholders, NCOF-3 places particular emphasis on technical capacity building. Nearly 85 participants from the National Meteorology Department and partner institutions are undergoing intensive training in areas such as interpretation of seasonal climate forecasts, communication of uncertainty and probabilistic information, climate data management and analysis, assessment of the socio-economic benefits of climate services, and co-production of user-oriented climate information.

The forum also provides a platform for the Department of National Meteorology to present its 2024 State of the Climate Report and updated national climate information, as part of efforts to enhance national autonomy in climate forecasting and professionalize the delivery of climate services in Cameroon.