On 9 December, 2022, the Ocean to climate Seamless Forecasting system （OSF） Programme organized its first informal meeting with scientists from Africa to discuss about proposing an Africa project for OSF to the UN Ocean Decade Call for Actions 04/2022. Over 20 senior and early career researchers from Africa attended the meeting.

Prof Fangli Qiao, Principal Investigator of the OSF Programme, welcomed the participants and encouraged everyone to briefly introduce themselves. Dr Shizhu Wang, Executive Director of the OSF Office, then made a presentation on the Programme. During the presentation, Dr Wang introduced the UN Ocean Decade in general, the motivation and overview of the OSF, and what OSF can provide to African partners.

After the presentation, the participants shared their ideas on the urgent needs of African countries and how African research institutes can get involved and contribute to this Programme. Dr Ir. Zacharie SOHOU, vice-Chair of IOCAFRICA and National Focal Point of IOC, Director of Benin Fisheries and Oceanologic Research Institute （IRHOB）， put forward their need for collecting in situ ocean observation data. At the same time, OSF’s model can also help improve forecasting capability, which can be used for fishery, costal industry, tourism, etc. Dr Elijah Odii, president of the Organization of African Academic Doctors （OAAD）， expressed their strong willingness to collaborate with the OSF in terms of data and idea exchanges and capacity building.

This 2-hour meeting was inspiring and fruitful by offering African scientists an opportunity to thoroughly exchange their ideas with the OSF Programme and colleagues. Another meeting will be organized in a couple of weeks to consolidate the proposal.