Speech of the Secretary General of GSO On World Metrology Day

Speech of HE Mr. Saud bin Nasser Al-Khusaibi

Secretary General of the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO)

On World Metrology Day

May 20, 2019

Under the slogan, “International system of units…fundamentally better”

The GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is participating in the celebration of World Metrology Day, which falls on 20 May each year, and is celebrated this year under the slogan “International system of units…fundamentally better”

On this occasion, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all staffs in the National Standardization bodies of Member States, and especially those working in the field of metrology, emphasizing the role of metrology in various aspects of everyday life. For example, in medical care, we rely heavily on measurements of “concentrations of chemicals in the blood”, We are guided by the satellite navigation system to find out distances by time measured by high-precision satellite clocks, and we buy spare parts that are compatible with other. All this and thousands of other everyday businesses that we enjoy through a global measurement system, SI Units.

The theme of this year’s event was chosen after the General Conference on Weights and Measures approved on November 16, 2018. on one of the significant changes to the SI since its inception. It is now based on a set of definitions, each of which is related to the laws of physics and can absorb Further improvements in measurement science and technology to meet the needs of future users for many years to come.

These changes were agreed on November 16, 2018. and will enter into force on May 20, 2019. a date chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the signature of the Meter Convention in 1875, marking the “International Day of Metrology” while the future impact of changes will be far-reaching, great attention has been given to ensure that the new definitions are compatible with current definitions at the time of change is implemented  and therefore these changes will not be noticeable to any ordinary users of the measurement tools, but ultimately mean that there may be changes in the way the tractability is ensured.

The global work to harmonize the operation of measuring instruments used to make measurements will continue to ensure that trade, industry and consumers do not notice any difference in the weights, lengths and other measures they use.

The new definitions of units measurement use the rules of nature to establish measurement bases, and to link measurements in the atomic and quantum scale to those at the microcosmic level, they achieve a collective ambition for the “metric system” of providing universality access to the agreed basis for worldwide measurements . It also provides the basis for future innovations in measurements that allow the definition of the second unit (time), the meter (lengths), the ampere  (current), the kelvin (temperature) and the mole (the amount of substance), to take advantage of the atomic and quantum phenomena to achieve high levels of accuracy.

The acceleration of scientific development in all fields requires us to keep pace with this development by paying more attention to the activities of metrology which are the basis of scientific and technological progress and innovation and the way to move us to scientific horizons that support the achievement of our goals and our vision for the future.

I ask Allah, Almighty to help us and all the workers in the field of metrology in achieving the goals and aspirations of their countries to reach advanced levels in the field of metrology and highlight the importance of this activity and its effective role in all areas of life.

Allah bless success.

Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah

Walsalam ealaykum Warahmat Allah Wabarakatih.