le changement climatique et ses impacts au centre d’un Colloque international
International Conference on Climate Change and Its Impacts in Oran
The theme of "climate change and its impacts" is at the forefront of an international conference that commenced on Sunday in Oran, as reported by local government services.
Opening Remarks
In his opening speech, Djamel-Eddine Abdelghani Dridi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, representing the Minister, Saïd Sayoud, emphasized Africa’s vulnerability to extreme climatic events. These include droughts, desertification, floods, rising sea levels, intense heatwaves, and climate-related diseases. Dridi remarked that these escalating climate challenges necessitate collaborative efforts among African nations and international partners. He stressed the importance of having accurate and reliable information about these changes, which is essential for effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The Role of the Rainfall Monitoring Institute
Dridi highlighted the crucial role of the Rainfall Monitoring Institute in Oran, designated as a regional reference center for meteorology and climatology across Africa. This institute, equipped with expert personnel and advanced technology, significantly contributes to the monitoring and analysis of climatic data. It engages in specialized research, develops climate models, and enhances national and regional capacities in this critical area. He reaffirmed the transport sector’s acknowledgment of the institute’s importance and expressed a commitment to integrate its findings into various strategic plans to tackle climate-related challenges.
Conference Agenda
The three-day conference gathers experts and academics from various Algerian universities, as well as representatives from Tunisia and Senegal. The agenda features a series of lectures addressing vital topics such as:
- The physical, chemical, and biological challenges posed to soils by climate change.
- The study of syndromes related to water issues and climate change, along with their environmental and food security impacts.
- Algeria’s state strategy to ensure food security in steppe regions amid climate variations.
Collaborative Agreements
During the conference, three significant agreements were signed involving the Rainfall Monitoring Institute for training and research, the National Meteorological Office, the Technical Space Center, and the International Association for Water Resources of the Mediterranean Basin, based in Tunisia.
This conference serves not only as a platform for knowledge sharing but also fosters collaboration among various stakeholders, aiming to address the pressing issue of climate change in Africa. Through collective action and leveraging scientific expertise, participants are poised to contribute meaningful solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the continent.
