This National Meteorology Policy is a comprehensive, multisectoral document that outlines various measures and actions to address key meteorological challenges. It establishes a framework for an integrated approach to planning and implementing various initiatives while recommending legal, institutional, and governance mechanisms to support the achievement of its objectives. Recognizing meteorology as essential to socio-economic development, the Policy supports critical sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, environment and natural resources, transport, energy, water, health, and infrastructure development. Through this Policy, the Government of the Republic of Zambia reaffirms its commitment to enacting enabling policies, legal reforms, and regulatory measures that promote environmental sustainability and a green economy while mitigating the impacts of climate change. Given the increasing risks associated with weather and climate variability, access to accurate and reliable meteorological data is crucial for informed decision-making, enhancing efficiency, resilience, and adaptive capacity across all sectors. To achieve the meteorology sub-sector’s vision of providing timely, comprehensive, and reliable weather and climate services for sustainable development, the policy objectives are to (i) enhance the capacity to deliver reliable meteorological services across all socio-economic sectors by strengthening human resources, improving management information systems, and expanding weather infrastructure and observation networks; (ii) increase public knowledge and awareness of weather and climate to support informed decision-making by improving information sharing and dissemination, strengthening early warning and climate advisory systems, expanding ICT access in rural areas, ensuring inclusive communication for persons with disabilities, and integrating indigenous knowledge into meteorological practices; (iii) strengthen national, regional, and international coordination and collaboration by improving mechanisms for weather and climate information sharing at all administrative levels, enhancing regional and international data exchange, and fostering partnerships with training institutions specializing in meteorology; (iv) promote research and development to advance meteorological science and innovation by supporting research initiatives, facilitating the adoption of research findings, developing local technological solutions, and establishing a dedicated research fund for weather and climate advancements.
Zambie · 2024-01-01