From 9 to 20 November 2026, Türkiye will host the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
ECMWF and the Copernicus services it operates on behalf of the European Commission will be present at COP31, as the world comes together to discuss climate change, and the present and future mitigation and adaptation strategies. ECMWF holds the official status of observer of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as an Intergovernmental Organization since 2023.
Director-General Florian Pappenberger, Irina Sandu, Deputy Director-General and Director of Science and Innovation at ECMWF, the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Director Carlo Buontempo and Laurence Rouil, Director of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), as well as Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director for ECMWF Engagement with the EU, will participate in the conference.
The top-level ECMWF delegation will highlight the value of open, high quality and operational weather, climate and atmosphere data, and actionable information in helping protect lives and livelihoods, as climate change looms. The latest advances in artificial intelligence-based models, the value of ongoing cooperation with ECMWF Member and Cooperating states and the new projects and applications released by the Centre and its partners are some of the key topics that will be discussed in Antalya.
Details of the sessions ECMWF is involved in are listed below:
First Week
Monday, 9 November
- Earth Information Day
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- ECMWF speaker: Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director for Engagement with the EU
- Time: 15:00-18:00
- Location: Blue Zone
- Programme and webcast
Under the overall narrative “From Observations to Application”, this year's Earth Information Day (EID) will feature an opening segment, followed by a plenary session providing updates on the state of the global climate observing system and relevant Earth observation initiatives. An interactive session, comprising video presentations and World Café stations, will provide a platform for Earth observation community to engage with participants on their tools, products, databases and resources.
The themes for EID 2026 are:
- State of the global climate observing system
- Earth observations in support of effective climate action, through (a) integrated observation systems for assessments, modelling, early warning systems and other climate services, and (b) equitable access to Earth observation data and related technologies
ECMWF has been asked to speak on Copernicus climate applications and high-resolution climate projections using Digital Twins.
- Global State of Systematic Weather and Climate Observation
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- ECMWF speaker: Florian Pappenberger, Director-General
- Time: 18:30-19:15
- Location: Blue Zone
- Programme
Weather and climate observations feed the forecasts behind early warnings, policy and investment decisions across sectors, and the rapid advances in AI-driven weather prediction. But today, the global observing system is at risk.
This session brings together voices from science, operational forecasting, Earth observation, finance and the private sector to discuss how to close observation gaps and keep the system strong. It is a joint event organised by the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS) and ECMWF.
At the event an ECMWF & SOFF Impact Studies Report will be launched. This new research shows what closing observation gaps in the world’s most vulnerable countries could mean for forecasts at home, across regions and around the globe.
Tuesday, 10 November
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Climate SET tool
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- ECMWF speaker: Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) at ECMWF
- Time: 09:30-10:30
- Location: Joint MDB Pavilion
- More information
This event is organised by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and will focus on the launch of the Climate SET tool.
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The State of the Global Climate Observing System: Partnerships and Investments to Close Observation Gaps
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- ECMWF speaker: Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director for Engagement with the EU and Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) at ECMWF
- Time: 14:30-15:30
- Location: UNFCCC Pavillion
- Programme
- Livestream
The high-level side event “The State of the Global Climate Observing System: Partnerships and Investments to Close Observation Gaps” will bring together ministers, high-level representatives and international partners to address critical gaps in global climate observations and mobilize coordinated action to sustain essential observing systems.
Organized by the COP 31 Presidency, the UNFCCC secretariat, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and partners, the event will highlight the importance of sustained climate observations for early warning systems, climate assessments, adaptation and informed decision-making.
Despite their essential role, global observing systems face growing challenges, including funding uncertainties, infrastructure vulnerabilities, data continuity risks and persistent geographical gaps. The event will provide an opportunity to respond to the Call to Action: Sustaining the Global Climate Observing System, with a focus on strengthening international coordination, protecting essential observing capabilities, closing observation gaps and mobilizing long-term investment.
Wednesday, 11 November
- From Climate Finance to Operational Observations
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- ECMWF speaker: Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director for Engagement with the EU
- Time: 10:00-11:00
- Location: Spanish Pavillion
- Programme
This high-level dialogue with contributions from Spain's State Meteorological Agency AEMET, the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), beneficiary countries and other key partners, will highlight how climate finance, technical cooperation and national ownership can work together to transform investments in meteorological infrastructure into sustainable observing capabilities and long term GBON compliance.
- Turning climate intelligence into business resilience
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- ECMWF speaker: Florian Pappenberger, Director-General
- Time: 12:00-12:45
- Location: Blue Zone 2
- Programme
This panel discussion organised by the Financial Times (FT) will explore how businesses and investors can now make sophisticated use of data to improve their climate risk management, adaptation strategies, asset allocation, infrastructure development and supply chain management.
- Forecasting the Future: AI, Weather Prediction and National Preparedness
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- ECMWF speaker: Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) at ECMWF
- Time: 12:30-14:00
- Location: Akra Hotel
- Programme
This closed-door roundtable organised by Economist Enterprise, with the support of Generali, will convene policymakers, business leaders and innovators for an invitation-only discussion exploring how predictive intelligence can help governments, economies and businesses anticipate climate risks and strengthen resilience.
- The Role of the Turkic World Meteorological Union and Prospects for Cooperation in the Development of Early Warning Systems for High-Risk Hydrometeorological Events
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- ECMWF speaker: Irina Sandu, Director of Science and Innovation
- Time: 17:00-18:30
- Location: Azerbaijan Pavillion
Hydrometeorological hazards, including floods, droughts, severe storms, heatwaves and extreme precipitation, pose significant challenges to the countries of the Turkic world. Strengthening early warning systems and improving preparedness for such events are therefore important elements of regional cooperation, particularly in the context of climate change and the increasing need for timely and reliable meteorological and hydrological information.
This panel discussion organised by the Turkish State Meteorological Service in cooperation with the Azerbaijan National Hydrometeorological Service will focus on impact-based forecasts and early warning for Turkic countries.
Thursday, 12 November
- Scaling Investment for Climate Resilience: Launching the EIB Group Adaptation Plan Phase 2
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- ECMWF speaker: Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) at ECMWF
- Time: 11:30-12:30
- Location: EIB/Benelux Pavillion
Organised by the European Investment Bank (EIB), this event will include the launch of the new EIB Group Adaptation Plan 2026-2030.
- Promoting Digital Technologies for Climate Mitigation
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- ECMWF speaker: Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) at ECMWF
- Time: 15:15-16:15
- Location: Mediterranean Pavillion
Details tbc
- From Climate Data to Climate Resilience: Scaling Risk Intelligence, Digital Infrastructure and Transparency for Climate Action
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- ECMWF speaker: Carlo Buontempo, Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) at ECMWF
- Time: 17:30-19:00
- Location: Italian Pavillion
- Programme
Side event organised by Generali on scaling risk intelligence for better protection, showing the risk assessment solutions developed by Generali using ECMWF data.
Second Week
Monday, 16 November
- Expectations for Climate Science and Business Applications of GOSAT-GW Data
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- ECMWF speaker: Laurence Rouil, Director of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at ECMWF
- Time: 10:00-11:15
- Location: Japan Pavillion
This seminar will present the latest developments and participants will discuss prospects for the societal implementation and business applications of Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) data.
- Data, Digitalization, and AI for Climate Implementation and Decision-Making
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- ECMWF speaker: Irina Sandu, Director of Science and Innovation
- Time: 10:00-11:15
- Location: Qatar Pavillion
Data, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence are increasingly shaping how climate action is planned, implemented, and monitored. When applied responsibly, digital tools can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and strengthen accountability. This panel explores real-world applications, opportunities, and governance considerations related to digital and AI-enabled climate implementation.
- From space observations to climate resilience
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- ECMWF speaker: Irina Sandu, Director of Science and Innovation
- Time: 14:30-16:00
- Location: EU Pavillion
- Livestream will be available
This panel organised by the European Commission will explore how space already makes a measurable difference for understanding climate change and managing risks, and how Europe's space and meteorological capabilities contribute to this global effort. The discussion will also examine how satellite information can strengthen adaptation plans, emissions monitoring, and guide resilience investment.
- Harnessing Technology as a Catalyst for Climate Resilience in the Mediterranean
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- ECMWF speaker: Laurence Rouil, Director of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at ECMWF
- Time: 15:15-16:15
- Location: Mediterranean Pavillion
Panel session on Harnessing Technology as a Catalyst for Climate Resilience in the Mediterranean.
Wednesday, 18 November
- Air and Climate: Co-benefits in Cities
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- ECMWF speaker: Laurence Rouil, Director of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at ECMWF
- Time: 09:30-11:00
- Location: Kazakhstan Pavillion
Organised by Almaty Air - Initiative at the Kazakhstan Pavilion.
Thursday, 19 November
- From the sky to the stocktake: enhancing Greenhouse Gas emission estimates with Atmospheric Observations
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- ECMWF speaker: Laurence Rouil, Director of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at ECMWF
- Time: 14:30-16:00
- Location: EU Pavillion
- Livestream will be available
This is a side-event organised by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) about GHG observations-based emissions.
This session will explore how combining atmospheric observations with inverse modeling can enhance the accuracy, transparency and robustness of National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (NGHGIs). It will also focus on the potential of this top-down approach to identify emission hotspots and to quantify sectoral emission sources of key greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases.
Bringing together leading experts from Horizon Europe funded projects, European Space Agency and Copernicus, this panel will highlight recent scientific advances in this area. It will also explore how innovative top-down approaches and remote sensing can strengthen the evidence base for effective climate policies and support the objectives of the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement.
- What policy-relevant insights will new greenhouse gas observing satellites provide?
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- ECMWF speaker: Laurence Rouil, Director of Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) at ECMWF
- Time: 16:45-18:15
- Location: SE Room 6 - KATİP ÇELEBİ
This event will showcase recent advances in policy-relevant science enabled by satellite observations, supporting inventories and GST.