EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY THE EAST AFRICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY THE EAST AFRICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY Presented at the International Forum of Meteorological Societies, Xiamen, China 3 rd – 4 th November 2011 By John Mungai, Meteorologist, EAC 1

OUTLINE • • • Brief Introduction on EAC East African Meteorological Society (EAMS) Expected Role of EAMS in Social Economic development 2

Introduction EAC: a) EAC Comprises of the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda b) The Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC was signed on 30 th November 1999 and ratified in July 2000. Thus a legal framework for cooperation was born. C) The EAC Treaty provides for cooperation in many social economic sectors including Meteorology – Article 100; 3

Pillars of Integration and some gains • • • Customs Union -the main features of a customs union include the following: a common set of import duty rates applied on goods from third countries (common external tariff, cet); duty-free and quota-free movement of tradable goods among its constituent customs territories; a common set of customs rules and procedures including documentation; • Common Market ( Protocol entered into force on 1 July 2010, following ratification by all the five Partner States It provides for “Four Freedoms”, namely the free movement of goods; labour; services; and capital, which will significantly boost trade and investments and make the region more productive and prosperous Monetary Union (Protocol may be signed as soon as 2012) • Political Federation (long term Goal)

EAC Meteorology set up. . • Meteorological Development Plan and Investment Strategy provide the policy framework for the implementation of priority projects and programmes in the sector. The implementation of the Plan and Strategy aims at: – Enhancing data collection and monitoring procedures and infrastructure; – Developing human capacity in Meteorological Services; – Improving the early warning systems and closer cooperation with policy makers in relevant economic sectors; – Improving weather monitoring , prediction and dissemination on Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean; and – Enhancing public weather services in the region.

Some tentative gains in Meteorology at EAC • • Draft Protocol on cooperation in MET Services in place Draft Meteorological Data Policy Constitution for the East African Meteorological Society Proposal for establishment of a Centre of excellence in meteorology at advanced stages Regular meetings of Heads and Task Forces working to harmonize policies in MET Two regional studies conducted and Partner States implementing recommendations Enhancing Capacities of MET Services with special focus on data processing and forecasting systems. Enhancing Safety of Navigation and Efficient Exploitation of Natural Resources over Lake Victoria and Its Basin by Strengthening Meteorological Services over the Lake

East African Meteorological Society (EAMS) • The fundamental goal of the East African Meteorological Society is to foster and encourage communication and exchange of knowledge, ideas and resources among the regions meteorological societies. Currently such exchanges occur today only on a bi-lateral basis through the efforts of the five National Meteorological Societies.

East African Meteorological Society (EAMS) cont. . Objective The main objective of the Society is to coordinate the advancement of the science of meteorology and related sciences, and to facilitate the development of applications of these disciplines in socio-economic development of the region for the public good and benefit of the peoples of East Africa and beyond. Specific objectives • Harmonize and strengthen policies and activities of the National Meteorological Societies of the Partner States • Contribute to the development and review of the Meteorological Services policies in the East African Community; • • • Participate in the formulation and development of research agenda for Meteorology and harmonization of meteorological research and Education in the region; Facilitate, participate in and organize scientific meetings, workshops and symposia devoted to various aspects of Meteorology in order to stimulate research and promote interdisciplinary research and education Promote the dissemination of basic and applications research results in meteorology Promote the publication of relevant research results in international scientific journals; Work out modalities of certifying meteorologists in East Africa.

EAMS continued. . • • • Membership The membership of the Society shall comprise Corporate, Associate, Honorary and Fellows. Corporate members A Corporate member shall be the National Meteorological Services and the National Meteorological Societies. Associate members An Associate Member shall be any Institution recognized by Council as advancing the goals and objectives of the Society. Honorary members An Honorary Member of the Society shall be a distinguished person whom the Society wishes to honor for exemplary services rendered to humanity. They shall be proposed to the Council by a member, and the proposal shall be approved by consensus at a meeting of the Council. Fellows A prospective Fellow of the Society shall be a Member who has made outstanding contribution to the development of meteorology or its related sciences.

Administrative structure – Elected officials ---President, Four Vice-Presidents – – General Assembly This is the supreme organ of the Society shall comprise all categories of members assembled in an Annual General Meeting. EAMS Council consist of the President, the four Vice-Presidents, Executive Secretary, the Head of National Meteorological Services of each EAC Partner State, Chairpersons (or the equivalent) of the National Meteorological Societies, and the representative of the EAC. The Council shall be responsible for the management of the affairs of the Society Executive Committee of the EAMS The executive Committee will comprise of the president, the four vice presidents and the executive secretary. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that reasonable actions are taken to accomplish the purposes of the Society subject only to the policy decisions made by the Council. Secretariat The Secretariat shall comprise of: Executive Secretary; Scientific officer (Meteorologist); Financial officer; and Administrative assistant – – – – –

Funding • The Society shall fund its activities through: – – – Direct annual subscription from members; Direct contribution from the Corporate Members Revenues raised from annual membership fees from its members, sale of scientific publications, research grants, joint research ventures, consultancies as well as activities such as seminars, workshops and by donations, gifts and other related incomes.

Schematic diagram of the East African Meteorological Society GENERAL ASSEMBLY CORPORAT E MEMBERS EAMS COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTE E SECRETARIA T OTHER MEMBERS EAC SECRETAR IAT

Expected Role of EAMS in Social Economic development Meteorology has applications in many diverse fields such as energy production, transport (aviation, marine, road etc), agriculture and construction. It contributes immensely in virtually all sectors of the economies of the East African region.

Expected role of EAMS in socio-economic development continued. . To the extent that Meteorology impacts the physical environment and activities which people derive their livelihoods from, then it has a direct role in their socioeconomic development and this linkage is easy to establish. Meteorology as a science and Meteorological Services have a huge role to play in order to reduce poverty, increase water and food security, improve health, reduce and mitigate climate related disasters, adapt to climate change, improve the management of energy and water resources, develop sustainable agriculture, among others. 14

Expected role of EAMS in socio-economic development continued. . • Research • In any given field, research plays a significant role in generating new knowledge, products and applications. Weather and climate prediction is an area which requires constant research. The EAMS will make deliberate moves to initiate, coordinate and harmonize meteorological research in the region and facilitate implementation of research results. This is a unique role which EAMS will play since it brings on board all the five Meteorological Services and Societies. This will eventually impact on the accuracy and timeliness of meteorological products issued by the various Meteorological Services eventually impacting the socio economic development. • Policy In the area of policy, the EAMS will be in a position to influence policy decisions by providing evidence based arguments based on research. This will eventually influence the delivery of meteorological services and hence have an impact on socio economic development.

Expected role of EAMS in socio-economic development continued. . • Advocacy EAMS shall be able to take advantage of being a regional organization and use that forum to popularize meteorology and defend the dignity of the science. Eventually the general population and governments will identify with meteorology and will be much more likely incorporate climate information in their decision making processes hence impacting socioeconomic development of the region positively.

Expected role of EAMS in socio-economic development continued. . • Collaboration and Interaction • The EAMS will encourage and facilitate collaboration and interaction of meteorologists from the region. This bigger pool of scientists should be able to initiate and sustain cross-border meteorological programmes for the benefit of the region. It should also benefit the young meteorologists through professional development and hence sustainability of meteorological Societies and Services. • Certification of Meteorologists • In order to maintain professional standards, there is need for all professionals to undergo a certification process. EAMS will assist in certifying meteorologists in the region. • Consultancies, Capacity Building and Training • The EAMS will also be expected to undertake consultancies on behalf of EAC and this will lead to bankable meteorological projects/programmes implementation of which will lead to enhanced meteorological service delivery. EAMS should also be in a position to organize training and capacity building programmes in support of meteorological development.

Conclusion • Although establishment of the EAMS has not been approved yet, there is a strong case for its establishment. The EAMS is expected to strengthen the National Meteorological Societies as well as chart its own independent path. Once in operation, it will assist to expand the meteorological space and improve on the science of meteorology and its applications. Social economic benefits of the Society and associated impacts will eventually trickle down to the people of East Africa.