April 2009: The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), together with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) are organizing an International Workshop on Adaptation to Climate Change in West African Agriculture, which will take place from 27-30 April 2009, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

This workshop aims to bring together experts from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, the National Agricultural Research Systems, key decision-makers, practitioners, and the National Focal Points of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It is expected that workshop participants will develop: an improved understanding and assessment of the climate change impacts on agriculture and the associated vulnerability in West Africa; informed decisions on practical adaptation strategies for the agricultural sector in different agro-ecosystems of the region; appropriate ways to promote adaptation planning and implementation and its integration into the sustainable development planning; and a mechanism for continuous information exchange on climate change impacts and adaptation amongst the different countries in the region. [Workshop website] [WMO Press Release]