‘Early Warnings for All’ was the primary topic in focus at the Extraordinary Session of the World Meteorological Congress in Geneva this week.
October 24th, 2025
Bringing together national meteorological and hydrological services, as well as heads of state, government representatives and private sector institutions from the World Meteorological Organisation’s (WMO) 193 member states and territories, the event marked both the 75th anniversary of WMO as a United Nations specialised agency, and the halfway point of its Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.
In his role as second Vice-President of the WMO, Met Éireann Director Eoin Moran has been one of the leading drivers of the initiative, and was in Geneva to chair a range of discussions and sessions over the course of the four-day congress, including overseeing the adoption of the Early Warning Services Regulations.
Met Éireann Director and WMO second Vice-President, Eoin Moran (far right), onstage alongside WMO President, Dr Abdulla Al Mandous (second from right), UN Secretary-General, António Guterres (third from right), and WMO Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo (fourth from right) at the World Meteorological Congress
Launched by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in 2022, the EW4All initiative aims to ensure that every person on Earth is protected by multi-hazard early warning systems by the end of 2027.
Mr Guterres was also in Geneva to deliver what was his first ever address to the WMO, in which he called for a rapid expansion of early warning systems to protect lives and economies.
The sentiment was echoed by WMO Secretary-General, Celeste Saulo, who issued a formal ‘Call to Action’ to all members, partners and stakeholders to act with urgency and unity in accelerating the implementation of EW4All.
“We gather at a time when our mission has never been more urgent. Yet, this is not only a moment of challenge — it is also a moment of profound opportunity to harness climate intelligence and technological advances to build a more resilient future for all,” she said.
“I would like to emphasize once again the imperative to scale up multi-hazard early warnings and impact-based forecasting; to empower National Meteorological and Hydrological Services; to expand observing networks and data exchange; and broaden the tent – for both partners and beneficiaries. We must leave nobody behind,” she added.
WMO is the United Nations system’s authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the land and oceans, the weather and climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.
Since 1950, the WMO has overseen the free exchange of data and observations, laying the foundations for improved forecasts, warnings and science-based services that save lives and support sustainable development.
As Ireland’s National Meteorological Service, Met Éireann is proud to be a member of the WMO and was honoured to see Eoin Moran elected its second Vice-President by fellow member states at the World Meteorological Congress in June 2023.
The World Meteorological Congress is the supreme body of WMO and the Executive Council implements its decisions.