The Comptroller and Director of the Division of Financial and Administrative Management at UNICEF, Thomas Asare, has been appointed as the Assistant Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization.

With over 25 years of experience as a finance and development executive, Mr. Asare has played a pivotal role in revitalising global financial and operational management.

His engagement spans collaboration with multi-constituency governance structures, interaction with governments, and partnerships with international organizations.

His work is focused on formulating and executing essential development strategies aimed at alleviating poverty and enhancing the well-being of the world's most vulnerable population.

In his current capacity, Mr. Asare offers strategic guidance and oversight for the global financial management, fiduciary management, administrative services, and operational management of the organization.

Prior to his tenure at UNICEF, he held positions such as the Director of Programming, Budgeting, Finance, and Accounting at the African Union Commission and Financial Controller of the African Union.

Earlier in his career, he held key roles in financial management, program planning, management advisory, and assurance services.

Throughout this period, he collaborated with various international development organizations across Africa and Asia, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

Additionally, he served as an Assistant Auditor-General at the Ghana Audit Service, the National Audit Office of Ghana.

Ko Barret as Deputy Secretary-General

Ko Barrett has also been appointed as Deputy Secretary-General, establishing a fresh Executive Management team under the direction of Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

Ko Barrett, currently serving as the senior advisor for climate at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), brings experience as a former Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

As the leading authority on climate at NOAA, Ko Barrett represents the agency in various intra-agency, inter-agency, and international dialogues and initiatives dedicated to advancing climate action.

Her previous roles include serving in the US Department of State as the Senior Climate Change Adviser and Climate Change Negotiator, as well as holding the position of Director in USAID's Global Climate Change Program.

With over 30 years of expertise in climate, atmospheric, and environmental research and services, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Ko Barrett is well-acquainted with the work of the WMO and UN communities.

In her capacity, Ko Barrett will oversee the effective management of WMO’s technical departments and related programs, ensuring cohesive and consistent interdepartmental collaboration.

Additionally, she will work towards improving the efficiency and visibility of WMO Regional Offices in their interactions with governments.

WMO Secretary-General on New Executive Management

WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo emphasized that the new Executive Management team will guide the organization in fulfilling its responsibilities to influence the narrative on climate action, empower nations, and establish more sustainable pathways for the future.

“The new Executive Management of WMO will lead our organization as we fulfill our responsibilities to shape the narrative on climate action, to empower nations, and to create more sustainable pathways for the future,” said WMO Secretary-General.

Celeste said it is essential “It is vital that WMO can deliver timely, actionable and authoritative scientific information to inform policy makers and to support society as we face up to humanity’s biggest challenge – the climate crisis.”

Celeste is confident that the newly formed Executive Management team possesses the essential expertise and experience to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the WMO Secretariat.

“The regional, professional and academic diversity of WMO’s leadership will ensure we deliver the best possible service to our 193 Member states and territories,” she affirmed.

Celeste Saulo assumed the role of WMO’s first female Secretary-General in early 2024. As an Argentinian national, she holds the distinction of being the first person from Latin America to occupy this position.

Leading WMO in an era marked by escalating impacts of climate change and extreme weather, she recognizes the growing urgency for the expertise of the WMO community in preserving lives and livelihoods.

The confirmation of the new appointments was the sole agenda item in the extraordinary session of the Executive Council, conducted in a hybrid format. WMO President Abdulla Al Mandous presided over the meeting.

Top Priorities of the new executive management

The newly appointed WMO Executive Management is tasked with executing WMO’s foremost priorities, which encompass the global expansion of Early Warning Services to safeguard individuals worldwide from hazardous weather and support climate adaptation.

Additionally, there is a vision to develop a new Global Greenhouse Gas Watch to enhance climate change mitigation efforts.

To achieve these objectives, there is a necessity to reinforce observations and data exchange, foundational elements that underlie reliable and accessible weather forecasts, and to explore the potential of artificial intelligence.

The WMO leadership aims to foster collaboration between science and education, strengthen public-private partnerships, and streamline access to climate financing. Their objective is to enhance support to regions and countries, particularly those contending with developmental challenges.

These appointments underscore WMO’s dedication to geographical diversity, gender balance, inclusivity, and transparency, both at its Geneva headquarters and in regional offices.