Statement of the occasion of the openning session of the pan African implementation and partnership conference on water: BY Professor G.O.P. Obasi Secretary-General World Meteorological Organization

Abstract

This statement delivered by Professor G.O.P. Obasi Secretary_General World Meteoroidal Organization at the opening session of the Pan African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water. Prof. Obasi, on his remarks highlighted that, the Conference represents a political commitment at the highest level among African Governments to move forward in addressing the continent's impending water crisis. the importance of water issues, the Water Dome was organized as the main venue of attraction during the Summit. WMO has been making important contributions within the context of its programmes and, in particular, its Hydrology and Water Resources Programme. This Conference offers a practical opportunity for Africa to review and reinforce regional cooperation among the water basin countries and to develop an integrated approach for such cooperation. Finally, he stressed that policy formulation and implementation should be based on scientific facts. It should be recognized that weather systems such as severe storms, floods, droughts and tropical cyclones as well as climate variability and change have both direct and indirect impacts on water resources management.