Ceremony

Two people observe the ocean using weather instruments on a balcony at sunrise. Text reads: "#WorldMetDay | 23.03.2026 Observing today, protecting tomorrow.

WMO headquarters, Salle Obasi, 15:00 CET

WMO invites diplomatic representatives, staff, partners, United Nations agencies, students and other guests to join the official ceremony. It will be livestreamed in six UN official languages to allow maximum engagement with WMO Members and the staff of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services.

Moderator: Nandita Surendran, Chief of WMO Global Communications

Observing Today

Makoto Suwa, Astronaut, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency [video message]
Keynote presentation from Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, WMO
Abdulla Al Mandous, President, WMO [video message]
Argentine observing station Esperanza, Antarctica, on the importance of observations in remote Polar regions [live video link up]
Alexia Barrier, round-the-world ocean racer and advocate; Martin Kramp, OceanOPS Technical Coordinator, WMO [live video link up, plus video: The Famous Project CIC boucle le Trophée Jules Verne à bord d'IDEC SPORT avec Alexia Barrier]

Launch of WMO State of the Global Climate 2025 report

Video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Setting the scene by Claire Ransom, Associate Scientific Officer, WMO
Presentation by Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, WMO

Protecting Tomorrow

Theo Wellington, Youth Coordinator, WMO
Video from Regional Youth focal points, WMO

Questions and statements from the floor

17:00 - Reception hosted by WMO Staff Association

Observing the Future
An interactive exhibition led by the WMO Youth team

Collage of scientific research activities, radio towers, remote landscapes, snowy mountains, ocean cliffs, and researchers operating equipment in various environments.

Organized in collaboration with Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW), Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) and the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), this exhibition aims to connect participants with observation stations from diverse regions.

Station displays: Visuals highlighting the work of observation stations from different countries.
Station connections: QR codes enable short, pre-recorded video exchanges.
Station ambassadors: On-site ambassadors facilitate engagement and discussion.