Markus Repnik received the European Meteorological Society’s highest honour

The Dornbirn-born scientist was awarded the EMS Silver Medal for establishing the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF). The UN fund was established in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), and aims primarily to provide developing countries with accurate weather and climate data. As part of the SOFF programme, GeoSphere Austria is supporting nine countries across three continents in setting up weather observation networks.

The presentation of the European Meteorological Society’s (EMS) highest honour took place on Monday evening during its annual conference in Utrecht (NL). At the presentation of the silver medal, it was noted that the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), founded and led by Markus Repnik in 2022, had strengthened global meteorological observation networks – particularly in developing countries. Through “groundbreaking financing mechanisms and strong international partnerships”, it has mobilised governments, development banks and meteorological institutions in Europe to close critical observation gaps.

Repnik’s work has improved global weather forecasting, climate services and disaster preparedness, whilst at the same time strengthening Europe’s scientific and strategic leadership. Furthermore, Repnik has played a key role in raising political and public awareness of the fundamental importance of meteorological observations. ‘His efforts have created a lasting global framework that ensures a sustainable observation infrastructure and long-term benefits for operational meteorology, research and climate applications,’ emphasised Florence Rabier, future President of the European Meteorological Society.

Although not a meteorologist himself, Markus Repnik possesses the rare ability to effortlessly bridge scientific, operational and political dimensions. “He was fully committed to providing sound scientific evidence to support the need to communicate Earth observations effectively to non-scientists,” emphasised Rabier.

In his acceptance speech, Markus Repnik, born in 1962, emphasised that he felt extremely honoured, ‘but this recognition is due to the many people who have turned an ambitious idea into a new method of financing a global public good’. Through SOFF, ‘the way in which support is provided to developing countries is being redefined, enabling them to generate and exchange vital weather and climate data on a sustainable basis, thereby improving the accuracy of forecasts worldwide.’

In the four years since its inception, SOFF has supported 66 countries, 26 of which have already entered the investment phase. A total of US$133 million has been approved to strengthen infrastructure, institutional capacities and international data exchange. ‘These investments are already leading to additional data from countries such as Chad, Mozambique, Bhutan and Cape Verde being shared internationally, thereby closing gaps in some of the most data-poor regions of our planet,’ concluded Repnik. Austria was one of the first countries to contribute to the funding of the initiative and, through the SOFF programme – represented by GeoSphere Austria – is collaborating with nine countries across three continents: South Sudan, Chad, Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Guyana, St Lucia, Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Laos.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)