Nigeria will host the 2026 Alliance for Hydromet Development Annual Meeting from October 13 to 15 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, marking the first time the global gathering of weather, water and climate leaders will be held on African soil.
The event, which will be hosted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) at the invitation of the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), is expected to bring together the leadership of the WMO, representatives of the Alliance’s 17 member institutions, ministers and government officials, development partners, regional and continental organisations, financial institutions, private sector stakeholders, academics, and users of weather, water and climate services.
The three-day meeting will focus on advancing investments in hydrometeorological services and strengthening global collaboration to improve weather, water and climate systems that support disaster risk reduction, food and nutrition security, water resources management, aviation, energy, public health, community resilience and climate adaptation.
The meeting will be held under the theme, “Partnerships, Innovation and Sustainable Investment in Weather, Water and Climate Services.”
As the host nation, Nigeria is expected to showcase its progress in strengthening meteorological and hydrological services through NiMet, highlighting efforts to coordinate investments and improve the delivery of weather and climate services while supporting government funding for hydrometeorology.
Discussions during the meeting will be organised around five strategic priorities: strengthening partnerships and Alliance coordination, mobilising sustainable investment, promoting innovation and public-private collaboration, delivering user-centred weather and climate services, and building sustainable hydrometeorological systems.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Director-General of NiMet and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative with the WMO, Professor Charles Anosike, said the conference provides an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate leadership in promoting the importance of weather, water and climate services in supporting socio-economic development.
He noted that under the leadership of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who will serve as Chief Host, Nigeria is committed to advancing discussions on how improved hydrometeorological services can help de-risk national, regional and global socio-economic activities.
The annual meeting is expected to strengthen partnerships among governments, development institutions and the private sector while promoting innovation and sustainable investments aimed at enhancing the resilience and long-term sustainability of weather, water and climate services worldwide.
