Statement by Prof. Celeste Saulo, WMO Secretary-General on the occasion of awarding the IMO Prize to Prof. Dr. Gerhard Adrian
Before I address this distinguished audience, let me first speak to you directly.
It is a true joy - and a personal honour - to celebrate you today. I have had the privilege of working alongside you for nearly a decade - first as a colleague in Congress and EC, then as your Vice-President, and now on this special occasion. Through every step, I have seen your intelligence in action, your generosity in collaboration, and your deep devotion to the WMO.
You have guided us not only with expertise, but with humanity - and those of us who worked closely with you know how rare and valuable that combination is.
Excellencies, dear colleagues, distinguished guests, and friends,
I am truly honoured - and personally delighted - to stand before you today to celebrate a remarkable scientist, a visionary leader, and a cherished friend of our meteorological community: Professor Dr. Gerhard Adrian, recipient of the sixty-ninth IMO Prize.
Gerhard’s contributions to meteorology go far beyond technical expertise. He shaped the very soul of the World Meteorological Organization during a period marked by complexity, uncertainty, and transformative change.
Let me begin by highlighting one of the pivotal moments of his leadership: the extraordinary session of the World Meteorological Congress in 2021. Gerhard stood at the helm and strategically guided the approval of the WMO Unified Data Policy. This was not only a milestone for the WMO - it was a bold step forward for the global scientific community. Gerhard’s clarity and unwavering commitment to open access helped transformed a long-held vision into reality. This was at a time when we were grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. His diplomacy was crucial at an online event which offered no chance for corridor discussions and networking.
If I had to choose one word to describe Gerhard’s legacy, it would be trust.
Trust that stems from knowledge - solid, extensive, always precise.
Trust that comes from a leader who listens carefully, speaks with intention, and brings people together.
And above all, trust that comes from someone who has always cared deeply - for our Members, for the Secretariat, and for the future of our Organization.
During his Presidency from 2019 to 2023, Gerhard Adrian was a central force in the implementation of the WMO governance reform. He never sought the spotlight - he simply ensured the work was done, and done well. His approach was inclusive, respectful, and determined. Members knew that they were seen, heard, and supported. He ensured that each felt we had a place at the table, and that our voices mattered.
Beyond his presidency, Gerhard helped lay the foundation for some of WMO’s most impactful initiatives. GBON and SOFF - cornerstones of our effort to strengthen the global observing system - took root under his leadership. He didn’t just endorse these ideas - he created space for them to grow, worked through their complexity, and built coalitions to carry them forward.
This was the result of decades of experience, including more than 20 years of service to the WMO across various scientific and governance bodies. And it was rooted in his lifelong dedication to excellence in meteorology.
As President of the German Weather Service, DWD, Gerhard has also been a figurehead for operational and scientific advancement. He fostered the integration of research and operations, prioritized climate services, and championed innovation - while never losing sight of the human dimension of our work. As a result, DWD is a role model for excellence and for regional and global cooperation.
I often say that the best leaders are not those who speak the loudest, but those whose presence brings clarity, purpose and unity. Gerhard is such a leader.
His legacy is not just written in policy documents or meeting reports. It lives in the enduring trust among our Members and the progress we’ve made - together - towards a more open, inclusive, and impactful WMO.
On a personal note, Gerhard,
You were the one who signed my contract as Secretary-General - on the very day you completed your term as WMO President. I will always appreciate the quiet symbolism of that gesture. You were closing one chapter and welcoming another - with your signature and your support.
And finally, something I - and many others - truly admired: your astonishing knowledge of the WMO Convention and regulations. You could quote them, explain them, and apply them with such precision that we often joked you had memorized them cover to cover. In fact, many of us suspected it wasn’t a joke....
Thank you, Gerhard - for your guidance, your discipline, and your dedication to WMO. You helped lead this Organization through a time of transition with rare clarity and conviction. And you did so with humility - and heart.
Please join me in congratulating Professor Dr. Gerhard Adrian, recipient of the sixty-ninth IMO Prize.
