Opening Remarks during the Special Event on Extreme Heat Risk Governanace

Minister Mishra, Distinguished Panellists, Excellencies, Colleagues, and Friends,

It is my honour to welcome you all to this Special Event on Extreme Heat Risk Governance.

Excellencies, Colleagues,

There is a silent killer among us.  

It is extreme heat, the deadliest of all climate-related hazards.  

It cuts across borders and sectors, affecting our health, livelihoods, infrastructure, and economies.

The World Meteorological Organization is sounding the Red Alert: Record-breaking temperatures are happening every year, every season and everywhere. Extreme heat  affects everyone - but the vulnerable suffer most.  

Last year, at least ten countries recorded temperatures of more than 50°C. Many dozens more saw daytime overnight temperatures of more than 40°C. These dangerously high temperatures are pushing us to the brink.  

And so why do we call it the silent killer?  

Because it is the among the least recognized and least managed of all weather and climate-related hazards. We issue warnings with tropical cyclones, we take shelter, we activate plans. With heat we often stay silent.  

But with today’s science and technology, silence is no longer an excuse. Every single death from extreme heat is preventable.    

Only 50% of countries have heat warning systems in place, and just 26 countries have dedicated heat-health early warning systems. 

This must change.  

As meteorologists, we need not just to forecast but also to communicate. To speak the language of health professionals, city planners, labor and education authorities. And to provide actionable, life-saving services.  

We need to embrace a multi-hazard approach. Extreme heat, drought and wildfires are dangerous on their own. Together, they are absolutely devastating. My message today is clear: we urgently need a coordinated, integrated approach.

The UN Secretary General has called upon ALL of us to work together, across the UN system and beyond, on this issue.  

Why?  

Because extreme heat is not just a health crisis. It’s an economic, a labour and governance crisis.  

But here’s the good news.  

We have the potential to save literally hundreds of thousands of lives and save many millions of dollars in costs.  

This is why WMO is proud to work alongside UNDRR, and other UN and government partners, through the Global Heat Health Information Network to provide standardized guidance and support best practices.  

The philanthropic sector is stepping up. We are engaging with the private sector, with cities and financial institutions to take heat seriously.

Together, we can and must deliver. Let me mention three critical fronts.  

First: Heat Governance: We must mainstream heat risk into both climate and disaster risk governance, with clear institutional roles and accountability  

Second: Heat Early Warning Systems: We must strengthen heat early warning systems, in line with the Early Warnings for All initiative  

Third: Taking Action: We must support Member States in applying risk information, testing solutions and translating data into life-saving decisions.

There are many success stories, and all around the world, national and local partners are coming together to address heat risks.  But we need to go further and faster.

We know the solutions. We now need to implement them – we need heat standards in labour and housing, and heat resilient urban planning.

We don’t need to reinvent the wheel—we need to align, scale, and accelerate. We must pool our resources, and listen to those most affected.

If we fail to act, the most vulnerable will suffer most—again.

And as this Global Platform reminds us:

Every day counts.

Thank you.