COP31 Briefing to Members States

His Excellency Mr. Murat Kurum,  

Her Excellency Ms. Fatma Varank,

Her Excellency Ms Ayşe Sözen Usluer,

Professor Jim Skea, distinguished guests,

Good afternoon everyone, to those here with us and to those connected.

It is a real pleasure to welcome you at the World Meteorological Organization – the house of weather, climate and water, and the Organization that convened the First World Climate Conference here in Geneva, back in 1979. This is where it all started.

I want to begin by thanking Minister Kurum, and his delegation for making the time on the busy road to Antalya, to brief the Geneva-based Permanent Missions and International Organizations in person. This reflects the open, consultative spirit championed by the COP31 Presidency, and we are honoured to host today’s conversation.

Just two weeks ago, WMO issued an unprecedented El Niño forecast: there is near 100% certainty that a very strong event will persist through COP31, and into February 2027. El Niño is unfolding against an already fragile backdrop and will hit hardest where communities, infrastructure and essential services are most vulnerable.  

The last two months have been the hottest on record.  Sea surface temperatures are the highest we have ever observed. We have lived through the warmest decade since the Paris Agreement was signed.  Tomorrow, in this room, WMO will launch the State of Global Water Resources 2025 report. It tells us a story of concern – of a water cycle that has become more erratic and unpredictable, with consequences for people everywhere. I invite you our distinguished guests to join us at the launch of this comprehensive assessment of what matters most – the water resources we all depend on.  

Excellencies,  

The science is not in question. The question is whether we act on it, and whether we act on time.

Nepal's devastating floods show the cross-border and compound nature of disasters, underlining why we need data exchange and cooperation in our interconnected, warming world.  

I share one simple message at this briefing: COP31 must deliver on early warnings and on resilience. It must deliver on implementation that is based on a strong scientific foundation. The WMO community provides the building blocks through trusted observations, authoritative data and services that support national commitments and collective action.  

WMO is fully aligned with the Presidency's call for a science-based, evidence-driven and implementation-focused Action Agenda.  

WMO’s distinct contribution is the source and scientific reference that allows countries to work from the same base. WMO’s State of the Global Climate Update, prepared specifically for COP31 aims to inform the Presidency and negotiations . The 2026 Update will cast a spotlight on the key climate indicators in this, yet again, extraordinary year.  

Excellencies,

The Presidency has set out a strong vision: moving from commitments to investment, and from investment to measurable results. Science connects each stage of this journey.

The Early Warnings for All initiative championed by WMO shows what this means in practice: when reliable data leads to early action, we protect lives and economies. Climate science is equally essential for National Adaptation Plans and Nationally Determined Contributions.

I therefore welcome the Presidency’s focus on connecting the Climate Implementation Bridge with finance-ready investment portfolios. This is where WMO and our Members can make practical contributions through climate information to identify risks, shape investment needs and build more resilient societies.  

WMO stands ready to support the COP31 Presidency and multilateral processes through robust science and information.  

This requires strong National Meteorological and Hydrological Services. They are strategic national assets, providing data, observations, forecasts, warnings and climate services needed to support effective national adaptation and investment.  

As we move into the second decade of the Paris Agreement trust will not be rebuilt by ambition alone. It will be rebuilt one verified fact, one accurate warning, one shared dataset at a time. That is WMO’s contribution.

Minister Kurum, I look forward to working with you and your team to advance dialogue, build consensus and deliver action on the road to Antalya.  

Thank you.