Opening remarks by Prof. Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization

Advance local innovation and collaboration for a resilient and sustainable urban future

Geneva, 4 November 2025 

World Meteorological Organization Headquarters, Salle Obasi

Excellencies, distinguished participants and guests,

Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to the World Meteorological Organization. 

It is a great honor to host the 20th anniversary session of the Global Forum on Human Settlements here at WMO headquarters in Geneva.

For two decades, the Forum has brought together leaders, scientists, and communities from across the world, spreading its message of sustainable urban development across continents.

This milestone is not only a moment to celebrate past achievements, but to renew our shared commitment to shaping a resilient and sustainable urban future.

As we meet today, one fact is clear: the story of our cities is the story of our climate.

More than half of humanity now lives in urban areas - and by 2050, that number will reach nearly 70%.

Within these cities, there are communities often overlooked in urban planning: informal settlements and slums. Millions live in in densely packed and fragile homes, without access to clean water, sanitation, or reliable electricity.

Residents of these areas are often the most vulnerable to climate hazards because they lack infrastructure, social safety nets, and resources to adapt.

Excellencies, Colleagues, 

Cities themselves are major contributors to global environmental challenges, producing about 70% of greenhouse gas emissions.

Yet, the people living in urban areas also bear the heaviest costs: over four million people die globally each year from polluted air, and the majority of urban populations still breathe air that exceeds WHO guidelines.

But cities are not just part of the problem; they are central to the solution. Cities are also where innovation, science, and community engagement come together.

They are at the heart of the transformation we need.

We’ve seen that transformation in many places. In Argentina, where I come from, devastating floods have repeatedly struck Buenos Aires and surrounding areas.

Through a WMO-supported project, local meteorologists, hydrologists, and communities are working hand in hand - combining forecasts with local knowledge to anticipate floods before they strike.

This collaboration is saving lives. It’s empowering neighbourhoods. It is a living example of how climate services, when localized and inclusive, can transform vulnerability into resilience.

At WMO, we believe that integration is the foundation of resilience.

We can no longer treat heat, water, and air as separate challenges - they are part of one Earth system.

When heat rises, air pollution worsens. When rainfall patterns shift, water scarcity and flood risk increase.

Managing these risks together, through integrated urban services, is not just smart science - it’s smart governance.

That’s why WMO and our global community of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are stepping up.

We’re supporting cities with accurate advance forecasts that translate into community-centred early warning systems, and high-resolution models that generates timely, credible and actionable climate information.

We’re advancing the Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System, which helps cities pinpoint where their emissions come from and identify which actions make the biggest difference to reduce air pollution.

We’re leading the Global Heat Health Information Network, developing practical toolkits so that local authorities can design and implement heat-resilience plans that save lives.

WMO’s tools are helping cities track emissions, anticipate extreme heat, and manage risks based on sound science.

Colleagues - as we mark this 20th anniversary of the Global Forum on Human Settlements, let’s use today’s discussion to inspire, to collaborate, and to act.

Let’s work together to bring the best of science, data, and community expertise to build cities that are sustainable, safe, inclusive, and climate-ready - where every forecast, every drop of water, and every degree of temperature matters for the well-being of all.

Thank you, and I look forward to our dialogue.