#worldmetday

Happy World Meteorological Day. As you know this is my first celebration of World  Meteorological Day as Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization. Previously, I also celebrated this day at the Argentinean Meteorological Service, because it is a unique opportunity to increase awareness of who we are, what we do, and why we do it. National Meteorological and Hydrological  Services - WMO Members – are key players  in our fight against climate change. Indeed, the WMO community provides tools and knowledge on both climate change mitigation and adaptation. It is therefore fitting that the theme of this year’s World  Meteorological Day is “On the Frontline of Climate Action.” Climate Action means different  things to different people. But all agree that it is indispensable. And it is urgent. And it is a call for everybody. We must all pull in the same direction. Our meteorological and hydrological communities gather, disseminate, and analyze weather, water, and environmental data. These are the basis for understanding what is happening with climate now and how it has been changing. We cannot manage what we do not measure, and this is where WMO is ideally placed. We have a proud history of more than 150 years of sharing data and best practices. That is our strength. We are building on that strength  to provide information to support mitigation.

For this reason, we launched  the WMO’s Global Greenhouse Gas Watch. We need more measurements to support  decision making and climate action.But mitigation is not enough. Adaptation is a MUST. For many, this is a matter of life and death. As a matter of priority, hydro-meteorological services around the world are engaged in improving their early warning systems, which are the linchpin of adaptation  and disaster risk reduction. However, as of today, many countries are  not able to provide these early warnings to protect their people. This is why, as part of the global community, we embarked on the 'Early Warnings for All' initiative. Every person on Earth needs to have access to timely, authoritative, and life-saving weather and climate risk information by the end of 2027. Climate and weather affect nearly every single activity. For instance, renewable energy systems, including wind, solar and hydropower;  agricultural production; fisheries; transportation; health. Weather and climate information fuels economic growth.

We need to do more to turn  climate science into services. And we need to make these climate services more  accessible and to use them more efficiently.

On World Meteorological Day, National  Meteorological and Hydrological Services take center stage. They are pivotal for risk reduction, development, adaptation, mitigation and sustainability. We must ensure that their expertise feeds  into high-level policy on climate action. As WMO Secretary-General, I am committed to working together with each NHMS to make sure that this value cycle is impactful at national, regional and global levels. This is about fostering inclusivity and sustainable pathways. In the face of unprecedented  environmental challenges, we are not mere observers. Rather, we are called to be game changers. Our role as scientists and advocates for  the planet has never been more crucial. The lives of future generations are in our hands. Our efforts today will ensure a safer, healthier world for future generations —a world where children thrive in harmony with nature.

Together we stand at the Frontline of Climate Action; As we leverage our collective expertise for the greater good and shape a resilient tomorrow. I thank you and Happy World Meteorological Day.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) secretary-general.

The World Meteorological Day celebration will shine a spotlight on climate action. The ceremony embraces all the key players involved in tackling the climate crisis: the UN family, national meteorological and hydrological services, youth and civil society, policy makers and the private sector.

This year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is partnering with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to launch a climate action campaign to raise awareness globally and mobilize society to act. This campaign will be launched on 21 March on television and social channels and live on stage at the WMO. It is supported by national meteorological and hydrological services, weather presenters and media outlets around the world.

Programme of the ceremony: 15:00 CET / 10:00 AM EDT – Introduction & Launch of the UNDP Climate Action Campaign.

Speakers:

Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General

Agi Veres, Director, Geneva office, United Nations Development Programme

15:15 CET / 10:15 AM EDT – How the Weather Has Changed – Through a TV Forecaster's Eyes

Speakers:

Philippe Jeanneret, Swiss television weather presenter

15:20 CET / 10:20 AM EDT – Mobilizing & Empowering Present and Future Generations

Speakers:

Boaz Paldi, UNDP Chief Creative Office

15:30 CET / 10:30 AM EDT – High-Level Panel Discussion: How To Keep the 1.5° Goal of the Paris Agreement Alive?

The WMO State of Global Climate report reminds everyone of the urgency to tackle the climate crisis. Everywhere in the world, people are already suffering from the negative impact of climate change. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, ocean heat and acidification, ice and glacier retreat affects human health, economies and ecosystems. Science shows that negative impacts are increasing and some changes risk being irreversible.

Climate action is essential to sustainable development, including good health, access to water and sanitation and freedom from poverty and hunger. There is no avenue for human development without prioritizing climate action.

The Paris Agreement on climate change laid the ground to design robust climate action through the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the ratcheting mechanism that obliges governments to review and enhance their goals every five years.

Everyone agrees on the need to abide by the lower 1.5° target of the Paris ambitions. Can we still reach it and under which conditions? How is it that despite scientific evidences and a wealth of climate data, public policies are not going faster and wider? What is expected from the different actors – including the public, corporate and financial sector? How do young people have a say in increasing climate ambition and contribute to moving the needle?

Speakers:

Marie-Claire Graf, Future Leaders Network (Moderator)

Prof. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, WMO

Agi Veres, Director, Geneva office, United Nations Development Programme

Matthew Wilson, Permanent Representative and Ambassador, Barbados

Rosa Sangiorgio, Head of ESG, Pictet Wealth Management

15:55 CET / 10:55 AM EDT – Saving Lives, At the Forefront of Climate Action, Perspectives from WMO and Meteorological Services

16:05 CET / 11:05 AM EDT – Q&A With the Audience in the Room

16:20 CET / 11:20 AM EDT – Concluding Remarks

Related Sites and Documents

Learn more about World Meteorological Day 2024

WMO has joined with the United Nations Development Programme and the Weather Company on a new Weather Kids campaign with weather forecasts from the future to mobilize climate action today on behalf of future generations.

Join us for a special #WorldMetDay #SDGLive at the UN 2023 Water Conference at 1900 CET We need integrated Water Action and #ClimateAction Water-related hazards like floods and drought are at the heart of Early Warnings For All.

The World Meteorological Congress will agree strategic priorities at its quadrennial session in May to promote our vision of a world which is more resilient to extreme weather, climate, water and other environmental events.

The future of weather, climate and water across generations.

World Meteorological Day 2023. Communications materials.