Resolution 2 of the 28th CGPM (2026)

On universal adherence to the Metre Convention

The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), at its 28th meeting,

recalling that

• in 1875 the High Contracting Parties desiring to ensure the international unification and the perfection of the Metric System, resolved to conclude a convention to this effect (commonly known as the Metre Convention), and as such embraced the ambition of universal participation from the outset,
• in 1921, such ambition was embodied in the Metre Convention under Article III that provides for any State to accede to the Metre Convention,
• by Resolution 7 adopted at its 23rd meeting (2007), the CGPM decided that the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), should set a policy open to the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) of those States which neither acceded to the Metre Convention nor became Associates of the General Conference, giving them access to information related to the activities of the BIPM and enabling them to participate in certain meetings,
• the objectives of the BIPM as expressed in Resolution 3 adopted by the CGPM at its 26th meeting (2018) include to represent the world-wide measurement community and to be the coordinator of the world-wide measurement system,

noting that

• the world-wide measurement system, based on the International System of Units (SI), affects almost every aspect of modern society and is essential for enabling trade and driving innovation,
• the global use of the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the international reference time scale, underpins time scales world-wide,
• the proclamation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of 20 May as World Metrology Day has raised global awareness of the importance of metrology and its role in improving quality of life, enabling international trade and sustaining the environment,

reaffirming the aspirations and ambitions of the CGPM as expressed in Resolution 6 adopted at its 27th meeting (2022) where it committed to further strengthen the role of BIPM and to facilitate wider participation in its activities, thus achieving lasting and universal adherence to the Metre Convention,

recognizing that

• maximizing the uptake and impact of the SI and UTC world-wide depends on lasting and universal adherence of States to the Metre Convention,
• there are States that do not participate in the activities of the BIPM, but are committed to the use of the SI and UTC,
• many such States take part in the activities of Regional Metrology Organizations (RMOs) and wish to be engaged in the international metrology community,
• the needs of such States may differ from those of Member States and Associates of the CGPM,

decides

• to provide States that do not participate in the activities of the BIPM, but are committed to the use of the SI and UTC, with the means to establish links to the world-wide measurement system by instituting the status of Observer, whereby Observer States
  • will be invited to observe the decision making at meetings of the CGPM,
  • will be given the opportunity to participate in certain activities organized by the BIPM, such as meetings, workshops and capacity building activities,
  • will not be required to pay any annual contribution or subscription and will therefore not be entitled to benefit from technical and scientific services provided by the BIPM,
• to invite States wishing to become Observers to apply to the Director of the BIPM either directly or through one of their diplomatic missions,

further decides

• to expand the status of Observer to intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) whose objectives and missions are complementary to those of the BIPM and meet criteria to be established by the CIPM, so that
  • Observer Organizations will be invited to observe the decision making at meetings of the CGPM,
• to invite IGOs wishing to become Observers to apply to the Director of the BIPM,

encourages the CIPM to meet the capacity building needs of Observer States by actively seeking collaborations and support,

invites the Director of the BIPM to publish the list of States and IGOs having been granted Observer status.

https://www.doi.org/10.59161/CGPM2026RES2E