ECMWF was created by a Convention that came into force on 1 November 1975 and was amended on 6 June 2010.
The governing bodies are the Council, the Director-General, and the Council's advisory committees, whose functions are defined in the Convention.
Council
The ECMWF Council is made up of representatives from ECMWF's Member States and meets twice a year.
Director-General
The Director-General is the Centre's chief executive officer, and is appointed by the Council. He or she reports to the Council, and has overall responsibility for the work of the Centre.
The current Director-General is Dr Florence Rabier.
Committees
The committees advise the Council.
The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
The SAC provides the Council with opinions and recommendations on the Centre's draft programme of activities drawn up by the Director-General and on any other matters submitted by the Council.
The Finance Committee (FC)
The FC provides the Council with opinions and recommendations on all financial matters submitted to the Council and exercises the financial powers delegated by the Council.
The Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)
The PAC provides the Council with opinions and recommendations on any matters concerning ECMWF policy submitted by the Council.
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
The TAC provides the Council with advice on the technical and operational aspects of the Centre. These include the communications network, computer system, operational activities directly affecting Member States, and technical aspects of the four-year programme of activities.
The Advisory Committee of Co-operating States (ACCS)
The ACCS provides the Council with opinions and recommendations on the Centre's programme of activities and budget, on items relevant to Co-operating States, and on any matter submitted to it by the Council.
The Advisory Committee for Data Policy (ACDP)
The ACDP provides the Council with opinions and recommendations on matters concerning ECMWF Data Policy and its implementation. It reviews the opinions and recommendations coming from the Catalogue Contact Point Workshop and other similar bodies.
The Joint Advisory Group (JAG)
The Joint European Weather Cloud Advisory Group (JAG) is established through decisions of both the ECMWF and EUMETSAT Councils. It reports to the Councils of ECMWF and EUMETSAT. The respective Councils remain the decision-making bodes on all European Weather Cloud matters until decided otherwise by the Councils.