1. The crucial importance of Climate and the Science of Meteorology which help its prediction, have benefited from a general consensus for their impact on African Development in general and particularly for the Semi-Arid Tropics like the Sahel where Climate variability is very high.

2. African countries have established many institutions with the objective to contribute the weather watch, climate monitoring and applied research with specialised training in order to deliver adapted products information and services to the decision maker and development practitioner.

3. Recently, the 53 ECA (UN Economic Commission for Africa) Member States established the ACMAD Programme (April 1987) in cosponsor-ship with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). ACMAD is : the African Centre of Meteorological Application for Development with the Headquarter in Niamey/NIGER. This programme aims at developing a centre of Excellence by implementing innovative approach in human resource mobilisation and program management and control by associating all the Member States capacities in a " Consortium of Competencies ". With time, this centre aim at establishing and maintaining a network of development practitioners and experts to improve climate prediction delivery and climate information impact on decision making progressively promoting : Climate as a natural resource for development.

4. The objectives of the discussion forum is a contribution to a debate on Africa’s development as a whole where :

1. Meteorology will be promoted as a tool for sustainable development in Africa ;
2. African States will be in a capable and strong position to impact on the World Climate discussion and response strategies.

5. The present paper has been submitted by ACMAD and its Scientific network of Climate and environment professional (the ACMADIENS) which seeks to develop contacts and synergies between Meteorological Sciences and Techniques and the people in charge of its application and the Partners interested to support it. More information is available on the ACMAD Web site directly through : www.acmad.ne or one of its sponsor and Partners like (ECA, WMO …).

6. This discussion forum will be joined shortly by other institutions like : AGRHYMET, ICRISAT, HYDRONIGER, EAMAC, Meteo-Niger, University Abdoul Moumouni Dioffo (Niamey), CNES (ex ONERSOL) which have already taken an important step to join effort into a CONSORTIUM named GIPAME to put together all their resources in climate and environment for development.

7. Some document can be directly accessed like :

• ACMAD Strategic Plan 2002
• RANET