From strengthening metrology’s role in tackling global challenges to reshaping the future of timekeeping, this year’s BIPM Directors Meeting — held 16-17 October — served as a forum to align on shared priorities and prepare for a decisive year ahead.

Bringing together 156 participants from National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and State Representatives from around the world, this annual meeting is where strategic priorities are shaped — and where the global metrology community can align ahead of the 28th Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures (CGPM).

Meeting Highlights

The first day of the meeting, organized by EURAMET, focused on how metrology can support global challenges in a coordinated and scalable way.

Key topics included:

• how metrology can bolster the energy sector,
• ways that measurement can improve food and water quality,
• enhancing coordination between NMIs and international organizations, such as the BIPM and UNIDO, to better support developing countries, and

The second day of the meeting, hosted by the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM), focused on preparations for next year’s CGPM.

During this session, CIPM presented the draft resolutions that will be voted on at the Conference. Three draft resolutions generating significant scientific and strategic interest relate to:

• the redefinition of the second (learn more),
• a continuous UTC, and
• adopting a new lunar reference time.

To learn more about these topics and explore BIPM150 videos on the future of timekeeping, see the latest Update from the 2025 CCTF Meeting.

Other proposals put forward by the CIPM during this meeting addressed Universal Adherence to the Metre Convention and Digital Transformation.

Caption: Directors and State Representatives at the 2025 Directors Meeting, held at BIPM Headquarters in Sèvres. Copyright @BIPM.

BIPM Strategic Work Plan 2028-2031

The meeting concluded with a presentation from BIPM Director Designate, Dr Annette Koo, who shared feedback from NMIs on the draft BIPM Strategic Work Plan for 2028–2031, which was circulated earlier this year.

Together, these discussions set the tone for an important year ahead — one that will culminate in the 28th CGPM. The BIPM thanks all participants for their contributions, insights and shared commitment to strengthening the global measurement system.