As we move further into 2026, ECMWF continues to build on its strong foundations while accelerating progress towards a more integrated, data driven Earth system approach. Innovation across our activities is moving at pace, but our focus remains clear: translating this work into reliable services for our Member and Co operating States and strengthening the capabilities we deliver together with our community.
A key milestone in this journey is the progression of Destination Earth into its third phase. Together with our European partners, we are entering a period of consolidation, operating and further evolving the Climate and Extremes Digital Twins while advancing the Digital Twin Engine.
In parallel, we are advancing the development of a data driven Earth system model that extends beyond the atmosphere to include the ocean, land, waves and sea ice. This represents a significant step forward in how we combine observations, modelling and machine learning at scale, and demonstrates the strength of collaboration across Europe in delivering capabilities that no single organisation could achieve alone.
The transition of OpenIFS to open-source marks another important step in strengthening openness and collaboration across our community. By making a portable version of our global forecasting model openly available, we are reducing barriers to engagement and enabling a wider range of users to work with, contribute to and build on a shared system. This reflects the long standing collaborative nature of the Integrated Forecasting System and reinforces ECMWF’s role as a trusted partner, while helping ensure that development, innovation and operational use remain closely aligned and scientifically robust.
A central theme of this edition is the continued evolution of our forecasting system towards a more fully coupled, end to end Earth system. Advances in land–atmosphere coupling and developments in IFS Cycle 50r1 are improving how interactions across components are represented, supporting more consistent and accurate forecasts across timescales and providing a stronger basis for operational services.
Data driven approaches are becoming an increasingly integral part of this landscape. The implementation of AIFS v2, alongside Cycle 50r1, marks an important step in extending AI based forecasting capabilities, including new variables and demonstrated performance gains. Our objective is not to replace physically based modelling, but to combine strengths while maintaining the robustness and integrity that underpin our forecasts.
The newsletter also highlights the breadth of ECMWF’s reach. From global engagement through initiatives such as AI Weather Quest, to applications in areas such as renewable energy, our work spans the full pathway from innovation to services that support decision making across a wide range of sectors and users.
Underlying all of this is partnership. ECMWF’s success depends on close collaboration with our Member and Co operating States, the European Commission and a wide network of partners. Strengthening these relationships, listening to user needs and co developing solutions remain central to our approach and to ensure that innovation is translated into operational value.
This newsletter provides a snapshot of these ongoing efforts. Together, they reflect an organisation evolving with purpose: integrating new technologies, advancing Earth system approaches, and delivering forecasts and information that help societies prepare for and respond to an increasingly complex and changing world.
Florian Pappenberger
Director-General