SOFF AT COP 31
9 – 20 November, 2026
Antalya, Türkiye
Weather and climate data are a global public good, but the capacity to generate them remains deeply unequal. Observations from countries with the fewest resources to sustain them can improve forecasts worldwide. All countries should have the means to contribute to—and benefit from—the global observing system.
Join SOFF at COP31 as we share new scientific evidence, showcase country progress and present our Action Report 2026. Together with partners, we will explore how collective action and innovative financing can close the basic weather and climate data gap.
SOFF FLAGSHIP EVENT
A hotter World is Flying Blind
Financing the data that protect people and inform investment
10 November | 17:30–18:15 | UNFCCC Pavilion
Extreme heat is breaking records, disrupting economies and putting lives and livelihoods at risk. El Niño is intensifying these pressures, yet many vulnerable countries lack the observations needed to anticipate and prepare for extreme weather. Drawing on the SOFF Action Report and country voices, the event will demonstrate why observations are a global public good and observing networks are critical climate adaptation infrastructure, helping protect people and enabling governments, investors and companies to manage risk.
Moderator: Barbara Buchner, CEO of Climate Policy Initiative (CPI)
Speakers:
- Cecilia Kinuthia-Njenga, Director of Intergovernmental Support and Collective Progress, UN Climate Change (UNFCCC)
- Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- H.E. Dr. Swarnim Waglé, Minister of Finance, Government of Nepal
- Alain Noudéhou, Executive Director, UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office
- Government of Belgium
- Government of Spain
- Government of Germany
- Markus Repnik, Director, Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF)
- Nuala O’Brien, Climate Director, Department of Foreign Affairs, Government of Ireland
- Satu Santala, Managing Director, Nordic Development Fund (NDF)
- Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition, United Nations
EVENTS CO – HOSTED BY SOFF
Global State of Systematic Weather and Climate Observation
9 November
18:30–19:15 | Special Events Room 2
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.
Moderator: Satu Santala, Managing Director, Nordic Development Fund (NDF)
Speakers:
- COP31 Presidency Representative
- Dr Thelma Krug, Steering Committee Chair, Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
- Markus Repnik, Director, Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF)
- Dr Florian Pappenberger, Director-General, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
- Representative, European Investment Bank (EIB)
- Nick Mabey, Director, Third Generation Environmentalism (E3G)
- Roman Röhrl, Climate Change Specialist, European Investment Bank (EIB)
- Representative, Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
- Will Bugler, Global Technical Lead for Climate Risk and Resilience, KPMG International
- COP32 Presidency Representative
- Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
From Climate Finance to Sustainable Meteorological Observations
11 November
10:00 – 11:00 | Spain Pavillion
Reliable weather forecasts and early warnings protect lives, livelihoods and economies, yet observation gaps leave many vulnerable countries without the data needed to anticipate extreme weather and growing climate risks. Building on Spain’s call for sustained financing at COP29, this roundtable will focus on results, drawing on Spain’s support for SOFF and AEMET’s technical expertise. Through country experiences, it will show how sustained investment and long-term cooperation strengthen weather services, develop local expertise and support better-informed decisions.
Moderator: Fernando Belda, Adviser to the Director, Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET)
Speakers:
- Albert Fischer, Director for Observing Systems for Weather, Climate, and Water, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director for Engagement with the European Union, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
- Mariam Tidiga, Director General, Burkina Faso’s National Meteorological Agency (ANAM)
- Charles Anosike, Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)
- Ángel Giménez Palazón, Head of Sustainability, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA)
- Adaiana Lima, Innovative Finance Officer, Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF)
- Markus Repnik, Director, Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF)
EVENTS WHERE SOFF IS A SPEAKER
Earth Information Day
9 November
15:00–18:00 | Plenary 2
How can Earth observations inform stronger climate action? Convened by UNFCCC, Earth Information Day brings science and policy together to explore the latest developments in systematic observation. SOFF will contribute as a panelist, highlighting the need to close weather and climate data gaps and sustain the observations that underpin better forecasts and early warnings.
The State of Global Climate Observation
10 November
14:30–15:30 | UNFCCC Pavilion
Organized by the COP31 Presidency, the UNFCCC secretariat, WMO, GCOS and partners, the event will bring together ministers, high-level representatives and international partners to address critical gaps in global climate observations and mobilize coordinated action to sustain observing systems essential for early warnings, climate assessments, adaptation and informed decision-making.
Reading the Climate Signal: El Niño, Extreme Events and the Science Behind the Headlines
10 November
18:30–20:00 | Side Event Room 3
What can science tell us about the 2026–27 El Niño, where do prediction gaps remain, and how can climate information translate into timely action? This event will explore the full journey from observations and forecasts to understanding risks and preparing communities, bringing together scientists, national weather services and humanitarian partners. SOFF will join GOOS and GCOS to highlight how sustained observations underpin reliable climate information and effective early warning systems.
Fireside Chat: Closing the climate data gap – COP 31 Global Sustainable Insurance Summit 2026
14 November
13:35–13:55 | COP 31 Insurance House, Titanic Deluxe Golf Belek
Convened by UNEP FI and the Insurance Association of Türkiye at COP31, the Global Sustainable Insurance Summit will explore how the insurance industry can use its role as risk managers, risk carriers and investors to strengthen climate resilience. SOFF will participate in a fireside chat to discuss how sustained investment in weather and climate observations can strengthen risk assessments and inform decisions that build resilience.
Coastal Infrastructure and Communities in a Changing Ocean
17 November
11:00–13:00 | Special Event Room 2
The event will connect evidence of ocean change to decisions being taken on the coast. It will bring together WMO State of the Global Climate findings, sustained and integrated ocean observations, scientific understanding, Earth observation applications, and practical experiences from coastal communities and agencies. The emphasis is on information that supports adaptation, action already underway, and remaining gaps.
WILL YOU BE AT COP31?
We’d love to connect.
Get in touch to arrange a meeting with, explore opportunities to collaborate or learn more about our work.
Resources
Concept Note – A Hotter World is Flying Blind: Financing the Data that Protect People and Inform Investment
Download now
