ECMWF’s 50th anniversary programme came to a close in Reading, UK, from 1 to 3 December 2025.
Following the celebrations held earlier this year in Bonn, Germany (7–11 April) and Bologna, Italy (15–19 September), the final events brought together Member States, current and former colleagues, and partners from around the world to celebrate the past, present and future of ECMWF.
A particular focus throughout the week was the growing role of machine learning (ML) in numerical weather prediction and the strong collaborative initiatives taking place with the national meteorological services of our Member States.
ECMWF Member State Machine Learning Pilot Project meeting
Held on 1 and 2 December, the meeting brought together researchers from across Europe to discuss the Machine Learning Pilot Project (MLPP), part of the EUMETNET Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Weather, Climate and Environmental Applications (E-AI) programme.
Launched in 2024 by EUMETNET in collaboration with ECMWF and EUMETSAT, the five-year E-AI programme brings together 16 national meteorological and hydrological services from the Region VI and external partners in the field of AI and ML, fostering extensive expert feedback and collaboration.
The programme is structured into three main components: data curation; analysis, modelling and post-processing; and products and services, with the MLPP focusing on the second of these.
The meeting was attended by 80 people from ECMWF and national meteorological services.
Showcase of European capabilities in machine learning in weather forecasting
On 3 December, the national meteorological services from several ECMWF Member States presented their activities in the field of ML in weather forecasting. Talks highlighted how ML is being used in parallel with physics-based models, and the improvements this approach is enabling.
Throughout the session, speakers underscored the importance of collaboration and the need to work across timescales, drawing on high-quality datasets and pushing developments beyond traditional analysis-based systems. There was also a strong emphasis on the growing potential of machine learning in areas that extend beyond forecasting itself.
Presentations were delivered by MET Norway, MeteoSwiss, ECMWF, KNMI, the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, Météo-France, the Met Office, Predictia, the Danish Meteorological Institute, and Deutscher Wetterdienst.
Around 100 guests attended the Showcase in person, with around 500 people watching the live stream.
Recordings and presentation slides are available online.
Gala evening
The Showcase was followed by a Gala evening bringing together nearly 400 guests to mark the close of the 50th anniversary year.
Roar Skålin (President of the ECMWF Council) opened the Gala event.
The evening was opened by Roar Skålin (President of the ECMWF Council) and Celeste Saulo (Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)).
Former ECMWF Director-Generals Lennart Bengtsson (1982–1990), Dave Burridge (1991–2004), Dominique Marbouty (2004–2011), and Alan Thorpe (2011–2016) shared reflections, stories, and insights from their time leading ECMWF, followed by a speech from current ECMWF Director-General Florence Rabier.
Florence highlighted the scientific and organisational milestones achieved over the past decade. She spoke about ECMWF’s transition to a fully ensemble-based, Earth-system approach; the transformative impact of AI; and the growing strength of partnerships across Europe, particularly with ESA and EUMETSAT, as well as through the European Union’s Copernicus programme and Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative. She also acknowledged challenges but noted how ECMWF had emerged stronger as a dynamic multi-site organisation. In closing, she thanked staff, Council and partners, and warmly welcomed the next Director-General Florian Pappenberger, expressing confidence in the vision and ambition he will bring to ECMWF in the role from 1 January 2026.
Florence Rabier delivered a speech that reflected on her ten years as ECMWF’s Director-General.
“As I look back on these ten years as Director-General, what I feel most strongly is gratitude. None of our progress – from moving to a fully ensemble Earth-system approach to embracing the transformative power of AI – would have been possible without the support of our Member States, Council, our partners and our dedicated staff. We have weathered challenges together and emerged stronger, and I am proud of what we have achieved collectively. With Florian Pappenberger leading ECMWF into its next chapter, I am certain the best is yet to come.”
Panel discussion with (L-R): Virginie Schwarz (President and CEO of Météo-France), Celeste Saulo (WMO), Klemen Bergant (Executive Director, EUMETNET), Phil Evans (Director-General, EUMETSAT), Graeme Mason (Meteorological Programmes Manager, ESA), Liz Bentley (Chief Executive, Royal Meteorological Society) and Hugo Zunker (Policy Officer, European Commission).
A panel discussion chaired by Virginie Schwarz (President and CEO of Météo-France) then brought together representatives from EUMETSAT (Phil Evans), ESA (Graeme Mason), the WMO (Celeste Saulo), EUMETNET (Klemen Bergant), the European Commission (Hugo Zunker), and the Royal Meteorological Society (Liz Bentley). The panel reflected on ECMWF’s achievements over the past five decades and discussed “What of the next 50 years?”.
A poster exhibition showcased ECMWF’s past, present, and future, welcoming guests with a visual journey through five decades of innovation. You can view all the posters on our Anniversary web page.
Member States and esteemed guests at the ECMWF 50th anniversary event in Reading, UK.
Anniversary publications
As part of the programme, attendees received a special anniversary book featuring six publications that highlight ECMWF’s history, achievements, and future outlook.
50 years of ECMWF book.
The book is available to download.
Photographs of the anniversary events are available to view on Flickr.