Cameroon marked the 66th edition of World Meteorological Day on March 23, 2026, emphasizing the crucial importance of meteorological observation in anticipating and managing risks associated with extreme weather events. This day, celebrated annually by member states of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), commemorates the entry into force of the WMO Convention in 1950.
Under the theme "Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow," the 2026 edition highlights the vital role of meteorological data in protecting people and property. The Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Masséna Ngallè Bibéhè, stressed the need to strengthen observation and forecasting capabilities in the face of intensifying extreme climate events such as heat waves, floods and dust storms.
According to the Minister, effective anticipation of these risks depends on the collection, analysis and sharing of reliable data on the atmosphere and oceans. Technological advances, including new generation satellites, radars and numerical models, are improving the accuracy of forecasts and enabling rapid alerts to the public.
In Cameroon, these tools are already contributing to the prevention of natural disasters, whether coastal flooding, landslides in mountainous areas or agricultural disruptions related to climate variations. The Cameroonian government has implemented a strategy to modernize the meteorological sector as part of its National Development Strategy 2020-2030. This strategy includes the deployment of around forty operational automatic weather stations and trained technicians in the country's 58 departments.
These efforts aim to strengthen community resilience and secure economic activities in the face of climate hazards. Minister Ngallè Bibéhè also called on the public to integrate weather information into their daily activities and paid tribute to the professionals in the sector for their essential contribution to everyone's safety. Reaffirming Cameroon's commitment to modern and sustainable meteorology, he concluded: "Observing today is preparing a safer future."
