Africa Must Turn Climate Forecasts into Timely Action to Protect Vulnerable Communities: Ethiopia’s Strategy Minister

Antalya, November 13, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Minister of National Strategy, Bereket Fesehatsion, has emphasized the need to accelerate early warning systems across Africa and ensure that climate forecasts translate into timely action to protect vulnerable communities from increasingly complex hazards.

Addressing a high-level event on Accelerating Africa’s Early Warnings and Resilience to Multi-Hazards at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, Bereket underscored the importance of strengthening preparedness and expanding access to reliable climate information.

He also highlighted sustainable financing as a critical requirement for building effective early warning systems and strengthening the capacity of African countries to anticipate and respond to climate-related risks.

His intervention placed particular emphasis on closing the gap between forecasting hazards and taking preventive measures, with early action essential to reducing risks and protecting communities exposed to climate impacts.

The event brought Africa’s early warning and multi-hazard resilience priorities into the wider COP31 discussions, focusing on improving preparedness, strengthening climate information systems and mobilizing the resources needed to protect vulnerable populations.