Biography:
Professor G.O.P. Obasi
Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization

Professor Godwin Olu Patrick Obasi, a Nigerian national, holds a B.Sc Honours degree (1959) in Mathematics and Physics from McGill University, Montreal (Canada); a Master of Science degree with distinction (1960) and a Doctor of Science degree (1963) in meteorology both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S.A. He won the Carl Rossby Award for the best doctoral degree thesis. Professor Obasi has had a successful University career in education, training and research including serving as Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor of Meteorology and Chairman of the Department of Meteorology at the University of Nairobi, Kenya (1967-76). During this period, he was able to train many meteorologists who later became experts and administrators in the fields of meteorology, hydrology and the environment serving governments, international organisations and academic institutions world-wide. He is a Consulting Editor to many international journals in meteorology.

He has published over 150 scientific and technical papers and continues to prepare and deliver scientific and policy-related lectures to several high-level meetings, including at ministerial and Heads of State and Government levels. In the past two decades, a number of his lectures and speeches have focussed on policy issues related to climate variability and climate change. In addition, he has made significant contributions to the advancement of meteorology, hydrology and related geophysical sciences that address environmental and climate change concerns, with implications for international environmental governance.

As Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a position he has held since 1984, Professor Obasi has been on the forefront of promoting global solutions to environmental problems, with special attention to the atmosphere, fresh water and the oceans as well as to related issues that have implications for the environment. He was at the forefront of those who drew the world's attention to the issue of climate change. He initiated, along with the Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the negotiations on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and also contributed to the establishment of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Prof. Obasi has given his strong support to the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and was instrumental, along with the Executive Director of UNEP, in the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He took a lead role in the organization of the Second World Climate Conference and in the establishment of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). He also contributed to the achievements of the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer.