A special 3-day symposium for ​weather, water and climate​ professionals

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12:00pm - 6:00pm (CET) (UTC+2)

13th, 15th & 16th October 2020

Panel discussions and live Q&As with global experts

Expert global speakers from government, industry, academia, IGOs and NGOs

Expert-led roundtable discussions for small groups

One-on-one meetings and networking time

The Purpose

HydrometAFRICA will bring together key actors in the ARWE value chain to develop a common understanding of their respective capability, capacity, roles and responsibilities in relation to one another, and help to shape future resilient weather and climate services in partnership.

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There is an opportunity to uncover funding, partnership and operational models that will enable the efficient and sustainable development of weather and climate infrastructure and services in Africa, and create mutual benefit starting from a position of trust.

The goal of HydrometAFRICA is to support the creation of better weather services through capacity building, knowledge sharing and Public-Private Engagement (PPE) towards long-lasting partnerships.

The development of capacity in the African Regional Weather Enterprise (ARWE) is essential to protecting lives and livelihoods across the African continent. HydrometAFRICA is designed to provide a platform for constructive work towards the end goal of building effective and resilient weather enterprise from infrastructure to the last mile. 

The Attendees

Varysian’s virtual HydrometAFRICA event will host participants from government, IGOs, NGOs, Development Partners and experts from the private sector and academia. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and engage with a wide variety of professionals from the African Regional Weather Enterprise and Global Partner organisations.

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• Director Generals of NMHS & technical staff

• Civil Aviation Authorities

• Other Relevant Public Sector Bodies and Government Ministries

• Project and Programme Leaders from African and Global NGOs and IGOs

• Leaders from Academic Institutions and Research Centres 

• Senior Operations, Risk and Safety Executives from Private Sector Verticals: Mining and Process Industries, Transport, Logistics and Infrastructure, Energy and Renewables, Agriculture, Insurance, Aviation, Disaster Management and Public Safety, Business Continuity/Environmental Health and Safety

• Industry Bodies and Associations

• Big Data Companies

• Weather and Climate Product and Service Providers

The Event

HydrometAFRICA is a content-driven and networking-focused virtual event that will provide key topics for discussion, delivered using multiple immediate and intimate formats, including panel discussions, roundtables, one-on-one meetings, Workshops and special strategy sessions.

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Using our world-leading virtual event delivery platform supported by the Varysian Network for year-round engagement, HydrometAFRICA is a unique opportunity to position your organisation at the heart of the development of one of the highest-growth hydromet markets in the world.

"Thanks again for a revolutionary and dynamic symposium with riveting themes, presentations and atmosphere."

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John Smith, CEO, Civil Aviation Authority, Turks & Caicos

“My first virtual conference. The platform is much better than I had expected. The world has just become smaller and more accessible.”

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James Logan, OneRain (AEM group)
 

"The system worked smoothly: video and audio quality were excellent.

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Groundbreaking – well done!"

Andrew White, Comptus

HOW IT WORKS

KEY TOPICS

Education and training

Climate change risk mitigation

Climate finance

Disaster risk reduction

Public Private Partnerships

Economic impact of weather services

Women and climate change

Business continuity

Agrometeorology

NHMS capacity building

Orientation day

Monday 12th October

Pre-Conference Workshop

Tuesday 13th October

DAY 1

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Tuesday 13th October

ALL TIMES ARE IN CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME (CET) (UTC+2)

12:00-16:00

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The HydrometAFRICA virtual event platform will be open all day on Monday for you to log in, explore the features and familiarise yourself with the site.  

For a guided tour of the platform, join us for a special presentation + Q&A session at 15:00 CET on Monday. 

8:00-8:20 Presentation

Explaining the OCP global vision for engagement between the public, private and academic sectors - WMO Dimitar Ivanov

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8:20-8:40 Presentation

Why is it essential for all actors in the African Regional Weather Enterprise to engage with one another in an unprecedented manner? - WMO Amos Makarau

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8:40-9:00 Presentation

Maximising the impact of climate funding on lives, livelihoods and prosperity - World Bank Stefan Von Grunigen 

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9:00-9:15 Refreshment Break

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9:15-10:00 Quickfire Panel 

Agreeing common goals. What is needed from other key stakeholders to lay the foundation for the provision of resilient, sustainable weather and climate services?  

• A willingness to engage from a position of trust and a mutually agreed baseline

• Harmonizing business models and terminology

• Support of public good, not in contradiction to a business case

• Supporting the common goal of true partnership

• The route of sustainable modernization and creation of jobs

• Understanding impediments to the provision of services in partnership  

• Identifying mutual benefit and recognising dependencies

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10:00-11:00 Panel
What are the key objectives of the Symposium?

• Engagement between private sector verticals and service providers to establish need, opportunities and mutual benefit.

• Attribution of roles and responsibilities for collaborative provision of service in line with need and areas of mutual interest

• Developing an understanding of key enablers of successful partnerships 

12:00-12:15 Opening Address​

Why a Joined-up Approach to Weather Services Maturity and Resilience is Essential to Climate Change Resilience, Livelihoods and Prosperity in Africa

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12:15-13:30 Industry Sector Engagement Roundtables

How can Weather and Climate Services Better meet the Requirements of our Industry?

• How can met service providers better understand the development needs of industry?

• The need for maturity of services to meet growing needs of region and acceleration of capacity building

• Perception of need - busting misconceptions with an empirical approach

• How can we join up our approach to consider the bigger regional picture?

• Understanding the reality of impact on lives and livelihoods

• Creation of jobs from provision of services - involving people and generating income and capacity development

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1. Aviation

2. Energy and Renewables

3. Agriculture

4. Disaster Management and Insurance

5. Climate Services

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13:30-14:00 Meet the Technology Provider Networking Session

Join representatives of leading global technology  providers at their exhibition stands and on dedicated tables in the networking lounge to discover cutting edge solutions and get to know the people behind them.

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14:00-14:30 Product Demos and one to one meetings 

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14:30-15:00 Technical Presentations

1. Baron - DRR

2. WFP & University of Reading - PICSA 

3. AEM Case Studies, Jim Anderson

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15:00-15:15 Refreshment Break

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15:15-15:45 Presentations

1. Anni Karttunen, Vaisala

2. Benjamin Larroquette, UNDP

3. Roelof Bruintjes, ARC

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15:45-16:00 Refreshment Break

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16:00-16:45 Panel Discussion

Engagement between private sector verticals and service providers to establish need, opportunities and mutual benefit

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16:45-17:00 - Closing Comments

DAY 2

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Thursday 15th October

12:00-12:15 Opening Address

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Better Together - Why it is Essential to Break down Siloed Approaches to the Provision of Weather Services 

12:15-13:30 Roundtables

What additional capacity, capability and know-how does our organisation need to deliver excellence to the beneficiaries of weather and climate services? 

• Clear mandate to deliver service

• Adequate funding

• Technical capacity

• Understanding of wider value chain

• How activity relates to development

• Impact on society and livelihoods

• Identifying mutual interest and efficiencies

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1. Disaster Risk Reduction/Early Warning Systems

2. Data Sharing & Data Policy

3. Data Collection & Management

4. Data Integration & Emerging Technology

5. Downscaling to the Last Mile & Dissemination Systems

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13:30-14:00 Meet the Technology Provider Networking Session

Join representatives of leading global technology providers at their exhibition stands and on dedicated tables in the networking lounge to discover cutting edge solutions and get to know the people behind them.

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14:00-14:30 Product Demos and one to one meetings 

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14:30-15:00 Presentations

• John McHenry, Baron

• Filipe Lucio GFCS

• Guillermo Navarro 

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15:00-15:15 Refreshment Break

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15:15-15:45 Presentations

• Daouda Konate, SODEXAM/WMO

• Professor Sani Abubakar Mashi, NiMET

• Linia Gopo, Zimbabwe MSD

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15:45-16:00 Refreshment Break

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16:00-16:45 Panel Discussion

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Attribution of roles and responsibilities for collaborative provision of service in line with need and areas of mutual interest

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16:45-17:00 - Closing Comments

DAY 3

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Friday 16th October

12:00-12:15 Opening Address

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Public-Private Engagement, Funding and Partnership Models

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12:15-12:45 Presentations

• Fireside Chat -  John Harding and Jack Hayes

• PRs explain experience in PPE

• GFCS Filipe Lucio

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12:45-14:00 Roundtables

How can we improve the processes and practices essential to effective service delivery?

• Access to opportunities

• What approaches have been successful and why

• Understanding legal frameworks

• Impediments to success/challenges

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1. Project Funding Models & Climate Finance

2. Partnership Models

3. Sustainable Operations & Maintenance of Equipment

4. Training & Leadership

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14:00-14:30 - Meet the Technology Provider Networking Session

Join representatives of leading global technology providers at their exhibition stands and on dedicated tables in the networking lounge to discover cutting edge solutions and get to know the people behind them.

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14:30-16:30 - WMO & World Bank Workshop

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• Developing an understanding of Key Enablers of Successful Partnerships

• Establishing Rules of Engagement for Project Collaborations

• Making co-investment a reality

• Working Groups with Roundtable Leaders - Applying the principles to real-world opportunities

KEYNOTES

EXPERT SPEAKERS

Ahmed Soumahoro

SODEXAM

Sebastian Sterl

IRENA

Mathews Ogutu

Kenya Airports Authority

Serge Levry

AERIA

Cecille Lorillou

World Bank

Timothy Gotora

African Risk Capacity 

Tarik Islam

UNDP

Asrat Yirgu Senato

UNEP

Jean Claude Koya

Cabinet Ministere du Plan et du Developpement

Mnikeli, Ndabambi

SAWS

Mokoto Suwa

World Bank

Daouda Konate

WMO/SODEXAM

Amos Makarau

WMO

Michel Lavollay
PPE Europe

Ekelem Airhihen

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria

Abraham Grass-sessay

Africa Clean Energy

Jean-Christophe Duchier

World Bank

Souleymane Ouedraogo

AGRHYMET

Ladislaus Changa

TMA

Nirivololona Raholijao

Météo Madagascar

Jean-Baptiste Migraine

WMO

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

COMMERCIAL ENQUIRIES

SEAN FIGURA

COMMERCIAL MANAGER​

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+441223 926828

SPEAKER ENQUIRIES

ALEX MATTHEWS

HEAD OF CONTENT​

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GENERAL ENQUIRIES

LIAM SMITH

PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER​

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