ICSHMO Conference Tackles Climate Solutions

Cape Town- The 14^th International Conference on Southern Hemisphere Meteorology and Oceanography (ICSHMO) officially opened this morning at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and will run until 04 April 2025. The conference is hosted by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and its business unit, the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON) in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI).

This year’s event marks a significant milestone as the conference returns to Africa for the first time since 1997, bringing together global experts to discuss critical issues in meteorology, oceanography, and climate science. Over the next five days, discussions will centre around research trends and policies on climate resilience, risk management, extreme weather events, societal impact, advances in climate and ocean modelling, climate adaptation, and resilience planning.

In his welcoming remarks, NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo said, “As the world grapples with escalating environmental crises, the conference will provide a vital platform for advancing scientific collaboration, sharing cutting-edge research, and addressing the pressing challenges of climate variability and change in the Southern Hemisphere.” He emphasized that the gathering also reinforces the South African Government’s commitment to the advancement of scientific research and international collaboration in meteorology and oceanography. “The insights and discussions over the next few days will undoubtedly contribute to shaping policies and strategies that enhance climate resilience in our region and beyond,” he added.

In her official opening speech, Deputy Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, said “The relevance of the conference cannot be overemphasised, especially now in a world that is grappling with the impacts of climate change. In South Africa, the advent of climate change and its effects is no more an imaginary theory but a reality, and that the country is contending with the devastating effects that it brings. These new and strange weather patterns, have a profound environmental, economic, and social consequences. The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, droughts, storms, and floods are straining infrastructure, displacing communities, and disrupting economies worldwide. These challenges that we are facing require robust scientific understanding, technological advancements, and coordinated global efforts.”

Ms Gina also highlighted that the country was using its position as Presidency of G20 to leverage as many issues of global scale as possible through the G20 platform. “I was glad to hear that this conference is also associated with the launch of our Ocean20 activities. Through the Brazilian G20 Presidency, Ocean20 was introduced within the newly established G20 social tract. Ocean20 is a social track of the G20, and it is all about creating ocean actions towards sustainability,” she said.

Other keynote speakers at the conference opening included Patricia Nying’uro, a climate scientist and researcher working at the Kenya Meteorological Department in the Climate Change branch; Prof René Garreaud from the Department of Geophysics at the University of Chile and Deputy Director of the FONDAP Center of Excellence for Climate and Resilience Research (CR2); and Prof Tercio Ambrizzi from the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil and the coordinator of the Center for Climate Change Research at USP.

A group of learners from Luhlaza and Usasazo High Schools in Khayelitsha are also attending the conference.

An exciting programme will run throughout the week of the conference, packed with insights, innovation, and engagement, and will include special sessions and side events such as:

• South Africa Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA) Policy: Hosted in partnership with the DSTI on 01 April from 10:00 to 15:30.
• Launch of Ocean20: A social track of the G20, the Ocean20 launch will take place on 02 April with the aim of creating ocean actions towards sustainability. This kick-off event is just the start of events linked to South Africa’s Chairing of the G20 and is expected to raise the profile of our oceans.
• Science, Stories and Solutions: This societal engagement, hosted in partnership with the DSTI, will take place on 02 April from 17:00 to 20:00. This vibrant session is a bottom-up dissemination of knowledge sharing between the scientists, policy makers, and community members. The session will seek to highlight the connection between the pressing climate-related challenges facing South Africa, such as water security, extreme weather events, and ocean-atmosphere interactions.
• Coastal Resilience: Taking place on 03 April, this session will explore how innovative technology and citizen science can enhance adaptation and sustainability.

Note to Editors: More information about the conference can be accessed here: https://icshmo2025.com/