World Meteorological Congress endorses actions to promote AI for forecasts and warnings

An Extraordinary World Meteorological Congress issued a call to the public, private and academic sectors to collaborate on the development of AI and machine learning (ML) technologies to protect communities and economies from hazards like extreme heat and rainfall. It also paved the way for AI/ML to be anchored in WMO’s global observation, data processing and forecasting backbone.

The resolutions were part of a wider package of measures approved by the Extraordinary Congress to accelerate progress towards WMO’s top overriding priority – to ensure universal coverage of early warning systems through the achievement of Early Warnings for All by the end of 2027.

“Early warnings are not an abstraction. They give farmers the power to protect their crops and livestock. Enable families to evacuate safely. And protect entire communities from devastation,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Extraordinary Congress on 22 October in a ceremony which was one of the highlights of WMO’s 75th anniversary activities.

“We know that disaster-related mortality is at least six times lower in countries with good early-warning systems in place. And just 24 hours’ notice before a hazardous event can reduce damage by up to 30 per cent. Early-warning systems work. And they’re finally getting the attention - and investment - they deserve,” said the UN Secretary-General.

Mr. Guterres launched Early Warnings for All in 2022 with the goal of ensuring universal coverage by the end of 2027.

A high-level event opened by Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo heard an urgent Call to Action from WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo to accelerate progress.

“Throughout this week, one thing has been made abundantly clear: the World Needs WMO,” said Celeste Saulo in concluding remarks at the end of Congress.

“The visit of the United Nations Secretary-General, the participation of presidents and ministers and the global attention they attracted is a reminder that what we do matters. Now we must build on this momentum. This is the moment to turn visibility into impact. To translate recognition into investment. To make sure that our transformation continues — that WMO remains not only relevant, but more essential than ever,” she said.

Global forecasting backbone

Congress approved a new set of technical regulations concerning early warning services, providing a clear reference and ensuring that the authoritative and trusted role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in issuing reliable and accurate warnings are supported and enshrined in national legislation

It issued a “call to all stakeholders” to collaborate on the development of AI/ML environmental monitoring and prediction technologies, tools and applications, noting the “unprecedented pace of progress” and the “transformative potential” to achieve Early Warnings for All.

The resolution builds on decisions by the WMO Executive Council in June 2025. It reaffirms WMO’s mission to facilitate international cooperation and standardization, building on decades of trust and data collection. AI must complement, not replace, existing well-honed scientific forecasting methods and infrastructure.

It emphasizes open data, open-source tools, and FAIR principles to foster transparency and global participation. It calls for ethical frameworks which establish principles for cooperation, intellectual property, and responsible AI use.

Congress also approved a resolution to integrate AI into the global forecasting infrastructure.

Acknowledging the significant disparity in forecasting capabilities among WMO Members, Congress stressed the need to support National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) globally, especially those in low- and middle-income countries, LDCs, and SIDS, to access and utilize new AI technology.

Due to rapidly evolving AI/ML technologies, Congress agreed to develop a new WIPPS strategy incorporating AI. The WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System (WIPPS) is a worldwide network of operational centres that makes scientific and technological advances accessible and exploitable by Members, providing products related to weather, climate, water, and the environment.

While AI offers transformative potential for operational forecasting and warnings, the resolution recognizes that considerable challenges remain in AI systems' capability to support forecasts of local high-impact weather systems and hydrological processes. These challenges must be addressed, tested, and demonstrated for operational use.

To ensure all Members benefit, the resolution requested WMO bodies enhance capacity development on AI use under WIPPS for low- and middle-income countries, LDCs, and SIDS. Furthermore, WIPPS pilot projects are essential to explore and deliver new prediction products, demonstrating AI’s potential to enhance developing countries' capabilities.

An ongoing pilot project between the meteorological services of Norway and Malawi, which demonstrate an AI weather prediction and the concept of Forecasts-in-a-Box, was presented to Congress. It has showed improvements in forecasts – and is being closely watched as a model for other countries with resource constraints.

In other action, Extraordinary Congress:

Advanced the goals of the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch by integrating key components into existing programmes, including the expanded World Weather Watch and the Global Atmosphere Watch Programmes.
Approved WMO’s first Youth Action Plan, marking a structured approach to integrating youth perspectives into its work and empowering the next generation of leaders. This is a landmark step in nurturing young meteorologists, hydrologists and climate and ocean scientists, marking a new era of shared inter-generational responsibility and expertise in weather, water, and climate action.
Streamlined procedures on elections and appointment of the WMO Secretary-General.
Endorsed the WMO Secretary-General's restructuring of WMO, responding to evolving global challenges, the need for a more integrated Earth system services and increasing financial constraints.
Requested the WMO Executive Council to set up a task force to develop recommendations for modification to the strategic and operating plans for 2026/2027 as a result of the ongoing liquidity challenges of WMO.

Executive Council

WMO’s Executive Council met on 24 October immediately following Extraordinary Congress.
It confirmed a total budget of 138.7 million for the biennium 2026/2027. It agreed to the terms of reference and composition of the new task force which will identify proposals for realignment of WMO’s Strategic and Operating Plans during the 2026–2027 biennium, given the ongoing financial uncertainty.
Science for Action

The Extraordinary Congress was held as WMO celebrates its 75th anniversary, with the theme of Science for Action.

WMO’s work underpins resilient development, food, transport, energy, security, health, water management and disaster risk reduction.

It is essential to the global economy and society and can leverage potential to unlock even more benefits for the global good.

WMO / Fabian Rubiolo

Science for Action