ICSHMO is the primary conference facilitating oceanic and atmospheric scientific exploration in the Southern Hemisphere. This year’s conference is aptly positioned at a time when the world is encountering increasingly dire climate and ecosystem issues, which require joint efforts from scientists, decision-makers and industrial experts to build a sustainable future. Considering the negative impacts of climate variability and change on Africa, hosting ICSHMO 2025 in South Africa sends a clear signal of the demand for local solutions and developments in the field of meteorology and climatology.

The conference will cover a broad spectrum of critical themes, including:

• Climate Variability and Change – Understanding long-term climate trends and their implications for societies and ecosystems.
• Weather and Extreme Events – Investigating the dynamics of severe weather systems and their impacts.
• Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions – Exploring the complex relationships between oceanic and atmospheric processes.
• Advancements in Weather and Climate Modelling – Enhancing forecasting capabilities through improved models and data assimilation.
• Satellite and In-Situ Observations – Strengthening observational networks for better environmental monitoring.
• Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Climate Science – Leveraging AI-driven technologies to improve prediction and decision-making.
• Early Warning Systems and Disaster Risk Reduction – Developing strategies to mitigate climate-related risks.

For policymakers, the public and early-career scientists, ICSHMO 2025 offers an exciting side events line-up. This includes a science-policy session dedicated to strengthening the connection between decision-making and research, as well as a coastal resilience workshop which focuses on strategies to mitigate climate risks in vulnerable coastal regions.

Several interesting activities for early-career scientists will enable them to network, collaborate and get guidance from the best meteorology and oceanography practitioners in the world. These events will provide an opportunity for dialogue, capacity building and collaboration across sectors, with the potential to have a lasting impact on participants and the wider scientific community.

ICSHMO 2025 will not only serve as a scientific conference but will also provide a platform for dialogue between researchers, politicians and other representatives of government, industry and civil society.

The organisers invite scientists, early-career researchers, decision-makers and other professionals in the meteorology and oceanography fields to register and contribute to the conversations that will define the future of climate science and sustainability. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of meteorology and oceanography in the Southern Hemisphere and increase international cooperation in this important field.

We hope to see you in Cape Town!