By Fatima Saka
Prof. Celeste Saulo of Argentina has emerged as Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, first female and first South American in history.
She was Director of the National Meteorological Service of Argentina since 2014 and a former First Vice-President of WMO.
Saulo assured WMO towards its vision of a world where all nations, especially the most vulnerable, are more resilient to extreme weather, climate, water and other environmental events.
Her announcement was made known according to a press statement Signed by Sarah Odu, Communications Assistant, Seconded Expert, Regional Office for NCWA World Meteorological Organization │ Abuja, Nigeria.
According to the statement, She spearheaded the activities of the WMO community to transform science into the best possible services for society. This includes strengthening observations and data exchange necessary for reliable and accessible weather forecasts, benefiting from massive advances in artificial intelligence, and expanding Early Warning Services to protect everyone on Earth.
Prof. Saulo will also seek to consolidate WMO’s monitoring and research of climate change indicators and impacts in order to inform decision-making on mitigation and adaptation, including through a new pioneering Global Greenhouse Gas Watch initiative.
“Climate change is the greatest global threat of our times, and increasing inequality exacerbates its impacts”. We just lived through the warmest year on record and 2024 may be even hotter and more extreme once the full impact of the ongoing El Niño plays out on temperatures and weather events,” she says. “Human and industrial activities are unequivocally to blame.”
“Coming from the Global South, I’m acutely aware of the need to do more to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. I am highly motivated to help every National Meteorological and Hydrological Service achieve its mission to save lives and livelihoods. Most of these services have the experience, knowledge and passion to fulfill their mandate, but many lack the resources to do so,” said Professor Saulo.
“Even a small increase in investment leverages huge socio-economic benefits for our communities.”
She reemphasized that one of her priorities will be to strengthen WMO’s presence at regional level and to empower National Meteorological and Hydrological services through a “bottom-up approach.” She also wants to strengthen geographical diversity within the WMO Secretariat.
Prof. Saulo is also determined to maintain close relationships with the United Nations family, development agencies, and the private sector, for instance on the Early Warnings for All initiative. Real leadership and concrete outcomes are based on solid partnerships.
Prof. Saulo succeeds Prof. Petteri Taalas of Finland who completed his two-term mandate. She was appointed on 1 June 2023 at the quadrennial World Meteorological Congress, the top decision-making body of the 193-Member WMO. She took office on 1 January 2024.
