Protocol on Cooperation in Meteorological Services
Not commenced
[This is the version of this document at 29 February 2016.]
PREAMBLEPursuant to the provisions of article 100 and 151 of the treaty for the establishment of the east african community, the provisions for the East African Community protocol on cooperation in meteorological services are hereby set forth:WHEREAS the Republic of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda undertake to conclude a protocol for cooperation in meteorological services;AND WHEREAS under the provisions of Article 5 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the Partner States express their commitment to develop, for their mutual benefit, policies and programmes for widening and deepening cooperation among themselves in political, economic, social and cultural fields, research and technology, defence, security and legal and judicial affairs;AND WHEREAS under the provisions of Article 100 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the Partner States undertook to cooperate in the provision of meteorological services;AND WHEREAS by the provisions of Article 151 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the Partner States undertook to conclude such Protocols as may be necessary in each area of co-operation, which shall spell out the objectives and scope of, and institutional mechanisms for co-operation and integration;CONSCIOUS of the importance of harmonizing meteorological policies in the Community;RECOGNIZING that the Partner States are members of the World Meteorological Organisation;NOW THEREFORE, the Partner States hereby agree as follows:
Article 1 – Definitions
In this Protocol, unless the context otherwise requires:"Community" means the East African Community established by Article 2 of the Treaty; "Council" means the Council of Ministers established by Article 9 of the Treaty;"Partner States" means the Republic of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda; and any other country granted membership into the Community under Article 3 of the Treaty;"Secretary General" means the Secretary General of the Community provided for under Article 67 of the Treaty;"Treaty" means the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community and the annexes and protocols thereto.
Article 2 – Objective
The objective of this Protocol is to promote cooperation in the provision of meteorological services within the Community.
Article 3 – Scope of cooperation
This Protocol shall govern the Partner States cooperation in:(a)the planning, designing and development of weather and climate observation networks and meteorological telecommunications systems;(b)the processing and analysis of data and sharing of meteorological information; and(c)the development of early warning systems.
Article 4 – Planning, designing and development of weather and climate observation networks and meteorological telecommunications systems
1.The Partner States undertake to cooperate in the planning, designing and development of weather and climate observation networks and meteorological telecommunications systems.2.For purposes o f paragraph 1, the Partner States shall:a)establish rainfall stations, as may be appropriate;b)improve the surface observing networks in the Community, including over the Indian Ocean;c)upgrade the existing observation stations;d)establish automatic weather stations in remote areas, over lakes and along the coast;e)establish upper air stations, as may be appropriate;f)network weather radars for monitoring real-time weather for the safety and efficiency of air transport, marine navigation and public safety;g)promote interconnection and inter-operability of meteorological observation and telecommunication networks; andh)develop meteorological technologies.
Article 5 – Data processing and analysis and exchange of meteorological data and information
1The Partner States undertake to cooperate in data processing and analysis and to exchange meteorological data and information.2For the purposes of paragraph I, the Partner States shall:(a)develop meteorological data management and quality assurance systems;(b)develop weather and climate forecast models, products and services;(c)develop numerical weather prediction systems; and(d)downscale global climate predictions to the regional level.
Article 6 – Early warning systems
1.The Partner States undertake to cooperate in the development and implementation of multi-hazard early warning systems.2.For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Partner States shall:(a)disseminate advisories and alerts for severe weather and extreme climate events for purposes of ensuring food security;(b)monitor and exchange information on ocean related phenomena, volcanic ash and trans-boundary pollution; and(c)identify the locations most affected by hydro-meteorological disasters.
Article 7 – General undertaking
In the implementation of this Protocol, the Partner States undertake to provide applied meteorological services to various sectors of their economies.
Article 8 – Harmonization of policies, laws and regulations on meteorology
1.The Partner States undertake to harmonize their policies, laws and regulations on meteorology to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of this Protocol.2.The Council shall issue directives for purposes of implementing this Article.
Article 9 – Cooperation with regional and international organizations
The Partner States shall foster cooperation and build partnerships with other countries, and international, regional or global organizations which share the objectives of this Protocol.
Article 10 – Institutional framework
The Council shall establish and confer powers and authority upon such institutions as may be necessary for the implementation of this protocol.
Article 11 – Regulations, directives and decisions
The Council shall from time to time make regulations, issue directives and make decisions as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Protocol.
Article 12 – Dispute settlement
Any dispute between the Partner States arising from the interpretation or application of this Protocol shall be settled in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty.
Article 13 – Amendment of the Protocol
This Protocol may b e amended in accordance with the provisions of Article 150 of the Treaty.
Article 14 – Entry into force
This Protocol shall enter into force upon ratification and deposit of instruments of ratification with the Secretary General by all the Partner States.
Article 15 – Depository and ratification
1.This Protocol and all instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary General who shall transmit certified true copies of the Protocol and instruments of ratification to all the Partner States.2.The Secretary General shall register this Protocol with the African Union, the United Nations and such other organizations as the Council may determine.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE, the undersigned have appended our signatures heretoDONE AT Arusha this 29th day of February in the year 2016.
