Closing speech for the eightieth session of the Executive​ Council

Mr. President, Distinguished Members,

As we conclude this session, I would like to leave you with just a few reflections.

Over the past days, we have discussed difficult issues: financial sustainability, strategic priorities, governance and the future direction of our Organization.

We did not approach every issue from the same perspective.

Our Members represent different realities, different capacities and different priorities.

Yet, despite those differences, we reached important agreements.

Those agreements matter because they allow this Organization to move forward.

One lesson stands out from this week.

Technical excellence and diplomacy are not alternatives. They need each other.

Technical knowledge helps us understand the consequences of our decisions.

Diplomacy enables us to transform different perspectives into collective decisions.

Together, they allow this Organization to move forward.

Our discussions also reminded me of something that is fundamental to WMO (and I will take a concept from Arlene):

We are an organization built on global interdependence. Perhaps that is why our best solutions are rarely individual ones. They are collective ones.

During this session, we also reflected on the findings of the Joint Inspection Unit.

The report describes WMO as an outlier in several respects.

Perhaps it is.

But being an outlier is not necessarily a weakness.

Some of the characteristics that make WMO different are also the reason why it has remained one of the most effective examples of technical cooperation in the multilateral system.

If we decide to change, it should not be because we seek to resemble others.

It should be because each change strengthens our ability to fulfil the mission that only WMO can fulfil.

Looking back, I believe these past years have been about putting this Organization in a stronger position to fulfil that mission.

We have managed crises. We have strengthened our foundations. Because the world is not becoming simpler.

Our Members need a strong WMO today, but they will need an even stronger one tomorrow.

My hope is that we continue this journey together: focused on our core business, strengthening the Organization, and ensuring that it continues to provide Members with the science, services and cooperation they need in a time of profound change.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude.

To every single Member of this Council, for your engagement, your openness and your willingness to work together, even when discussions became difficult. I am also deeply grateful for the generous words many of you have shared during this session. It is a privilege to work with this remarkable community, and an honour to serve an Organization whose mission I believe in so deeply. I look forward to continuing our work together in strengthening this Organization and advancing our shared mission.

My thanks also to the Secretariat, thank you for your professionalism, your resilience and your commitment throughout this session, and throughout this year.

And to our interpreters, translators and conference teams, thank you.

Your work is often invisible, but it is essential, you help  

I wish you all safe travels home.

Thank you.