Research, Modeling and Prediction Team meeting - Key Highlights
The Regional Team convened on December 20, 2024, to assess the progress made in 2024 and set the strategic direction for 2025.
The team, comprising representatives from leading institutions like ECMWF, EUMETNET, and the Central European Bank Climate Change Office, the Climate and Atmosphere Research Center of the Cyprus Institute, as well as universities and NMHSs, but also from the Regional Climate Centers, MEDCOF and SEECOF community, has a solid foundation for addressing complex climate and hydrological issues in the region.
However, as the team prepares for its 2025 plan, there is an increasing need to expand its expertise, particularly in artificial intelligence and hydrology. These areas are vital to advance the RA VI Research Program for 2024-2025 and beyond, adopted during the October 2024 session of the WMO Regional Association VI. This effort will involve preparing a one-pager outlining the call for AI and hydrology experts in early 2025. The integration of AI and hydrology will complement existing climate and weather research efforts and ensure the Team remains at the cutting edge of new technologies and methodologies. A dedicated focus on membership will be addressed at the next meeting, where the team will further explore how to attract and integrate these experts into its initiatives.
The Team reviewed updates on efforts to integrate research outcomes into operations, including at the Regional Climate Centers. The importance of aligning these efforts with existing WMO guidance and frameworks was emphasized.
A concept note for a projects portfolio was introduced to optimize and align future initiatives in the region. This portfolio will provide a clear framework for implementing research findings into day-to-day operations. Team members are invited to provide feedback on the concept note by the end of January 2025 to ensure it reflects the collective needs and priorities of the region. Further discussions will be held with the WMO to consider the feasibility of integrating the portfolio into the WMO Projects Database, making use of the existing platform rather than creating a new one.
A key item discussed was the RA VI Symposium on Technology and Innovation, envisioned as part of the RA VI AI Info Days. The symposium will focus on Research, Modeling, and Prediction, highlighting cutting-edge technologies and AI-driven solutions for climate resilience. Although the exact dates and venue are still to be confirmed, the event is tentatively planned to take place back-to-back with the Extraordinary Congress, scheduled for October 20–24, 2025. The symposium will offer regional stakeholders the opportunity to explore new technological advancements, share best practices, and collaborate on addressing pressing climate challenges. Discussions will also take place with the E-AI Programme Manager to ensure the engagement of existing AI working groups in the planning process.
As the Regional Team continues its work in 2025, expanding its membership to include AI and hydrology specialists will be crucial. These new members will help enhance the Team’s ability to address regional challenges and support policymakers with data-driven insights. The Team is excited to continue this journey and is committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and the development of impactful solutions.
The meeting concluded with warm holiday greetings, and members expressed their enthusiasm for continuing their collective efforts into 2025.