Source: EARSC
The purpose of the MESA programme is to increase the capacity in information management, decision-making and planning of African continental, regional and national institutions mandated for environment, climate, and food security.
Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission revealed that the Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa (MESA) Project is one of the tools for implementing continental strategies, programmes and decisions in Africa. Some of the strategies include: the Integrated African strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services); the High Level Work Programme on climate Change Action in Africa (WPCCAA), that facilitate Member States in the implementation of the Paris Agreement adopted at COP21 in December 2015; the Africa Regional Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and its Programme of Action, which is currently aligned with the Post – 2015 (Sendai) Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; Africa Water Vision 2025; the Draft African Climate Change strategy; the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme.
It was disclosed in an opening statement delivered on behalf of Mrs Rhoda Peace Tumusiime, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union Commission during the opening of the 5th meeting of the Programme Steering Committee of the MESA Project which was held 08-11 February 2016 in Accra Ghana. “The MESA Project also significantly contributes to the achievements of the aspirations of the regions, and ultimately to regional integration” added Mrs. Rhoda Peace.
Mrs. Sherry Ayitte, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development of the Republic of Ghana on her part said “Africa’s choice to utilize earth observation technologies, allows Africa to deal with environmental challenges in near real time. Thus, the MESA priorities identified by our regions are a testimony of Africa’s commitment to address environmental changes in a timely manner”
During the opening Ceremony, Mr. Benoist BAZIN, Head of Section Infrastructure and Sustainable Development – EU Delegation to Ghana also stated “The successive PUMA-AMESD-MESA programmes achievements are certainly the network of excellent experts and expertise established all over Africa and the collaboration between Africa and Europe, which is truly impressive.”
The 5th MESA PSC meeting elected SADC as chair and CEMAC as deputy chair of the MESA Programme Steering Committee. The meeting which was held from 08 to 12 February 2016 in Accra, Ghana reviewed achievements of the project and passed recommendations.
The MESA Programme Steering Committee (PSC) meeting is held at least once every year and organised by the Department of the Rural Economy and Agriculture – MESA Project. Voting members are representatives from ACP, AUC, CEMAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, IOC and SADC. EUMETSAT is the Secretariat; EU Delegation to the AU, MESA Continental and Regional Implementing Centres, JRC and UN Agencies are observers.
