The 2nd Open Science Conference of the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) kicked off in Kigali, Rwanda on Monday, October 23.
Moreover, the conference will take place from the 23rd to the 27th of October at the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC).
The Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) is hosting the conference on behalf of the Government of Rwanda.
At the same time, the forum expects over 1400 experts who will work to align climate science with climate change for a sustainable future.
WCPR aims to actively engage research communities, stakeholders, and practitioners in Rwanda and the broader African region.
What’s more, this conference will bring together the climate, environment, and related communities to discuss the latest developments in climate science.
It will further explore the transformative actions urgently needed to ensure a sustainable future.
In addition, the conference will conclude with the “Kigali Declaration,” a conference statement to be presented at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates.
“This once-in-a-decade event comes at an extraordinarily critical time in the history of Planet Earth.
“Climate change effects manifest daily, globally, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, impacting oceans and land.
“For more than four decades, the WCRP has coordinated research which unequivocally concludes that humans are changing the Earth’s climate,” said conference co-chair Helen Cleugh.
She further stated that it will be easier to project future climates and consequences through advances in climate science.
WCRP is featuring over 40 oral and poster sessions, along with daily high-level Dome Plenary Sessions.
WCRP Major themes
- Advances in climate research – These sessions will be vital for WCRP Core Projects, including CliC, CLIVAR, and partner projects like AIMES and PAGES.
- Human interactions with climate – Enable WCRP Core Projects and Lighthouse Activities to collaborate with Future Earth’s sister projects.
- Co-produced climate services and solutions – Essential for WCRP-led projects like RIfS, My Climate Risk and regional climate research.
WCRP holds the Open Science Conference once in a decade, and this is their first time in Africa.
Their vision is to further develop mutual understanding and explore opportunities and challenges of the continent.