EthicsCode of

WMO Vision, Core Values and Guiding Principles

1. TheWorldMeteorologicalOrganization,asaspecializedagencyoftheUnited

Nations, ispartofagroupof internationalorganizationsthatembodythe

highestaspirationsofthepeoplesoftheworld.TheWMOanditsstaffare

dedicated,inachangingworld,toimprovingunderstandingofweather,water

andclimate;protectinglife,propertyandtheenvironmentandcontributingto

socialandeconomicdevelopment.TheWMOhasaspecialcallingtopromote

internationalcooperationinpursuitoftheseobjectives.

2. ThisCodeofEthicsfollowsfromthestaff’sownconsiderationoftheWMO

visionandvaluesandis intendedtoreflectbestpractice instandardsof

conductinamannerrelevantinthatcontext.ItisaddressedtoallWMOstaff

wherevertheyserve.

3. ItisincumbentoneachstaffmembertosharethisvisionoftheWMOandthe

followingcorevalues:

a) Commitmentandloyaltyininternationalservice;

b) Professionalism,objectivity,impartiality,excellenceandteamspirit;

c) Integrity;

d) Mutualrespect,culturalsensitivityandnon-discrimination.

4. WMOstaffmembersareboundtoadheretothehigheststandardsofconduct.

Theseincludethebasicsetofstandardsapplicabletoallinternationalcivil

codE of EthicsWorld Meteorological Organization

servantsintheUNsystem,embodiedintheICSCStandardsofConduct,as

wellastheWMOspecificstandardssetoutinthisCodeofEthics.1

5. WMOstaffmembersendeavourtoraiseawarenessamongthosewhointeract

withtheOrganizationaboutthesevaluesandstandardssoastoensurethat

theywillunderstandandrespectthem.

I. Commitment and loyalty in international service

6. MembersoftheWMOstaffservetheOrganizationwithcommitment.They

arededicatedtoachievingtheaimsandobjectivesoftheWMOandseekto

dosowithenergy,enthusiasmandpride.

7. Staffmemberscarryouttheirdutiesandregulatetheirconductwithloyalty.

They:

a) BearinmindandrespecttheinterestsoftheWMO;

b) Conductthemselvesinamannerbefittingtheirstatusasmembersof

theWMOstaff,aninternationalcivilservice;

c) Exercisetactanddiscretion;and

d) Refrainfromanyact,whetherincarryingouttheirfunctionsor

otherwise,whichwouldharmthereputationoftheWMOoritsstaff.

8. Giventheinternationalnatureoftheirfunction,WMOstaffremainindependent

ofanyauthorityoutsidetheOrganization.Theydonotseek,acceptorallow

themselvestobeinfluencedbyinstructionsfromanyGovernmentorfrom

anypersonorentityexternaltotheOrganization.Theyareaidedinthisby

thecommitmentofMemberStates,pursuanttotheWorldMeteorological

Convention,torespectandsafeguardtheindependenceandneutralityofthe

WMOstaff.

1 ThesedutiesflowfromthegeneraldutiessetoutinArticle1oftheStaffRegulationsandare

expressly incorporatedbyreferenceintheStaffRulesoftheWMO.ThedutiesofWMOstaff

membersexpressedinthisCodeofConductprevailoverthetermsoftheICSCStandardsof

Conductintheeventofanyinconsistency.

9. StaffmembersassistthelegislativebodiesandcommitteesoftheWMOand

carryouttheirotherfunctionsservingonlytheinterestsoftheWMO,under

theauthorityandcontroloftheSecretary-General.They:

a) SupportthepositionsandpoliciesoftheSecretariatasawhole,as

determinedbyorundertheauthorityoftheSecretary-General;

b) Expressanydissentorcriticisminareasonedmannerandexclusively

withintheappropriateSecretariatchannels;

c) AddresstheirdisputesrelatingtotheWMOthroughthechannelsof

theOrganizationorthosemadeavailablebyit,whichincludeinformal

mechanisms,internaladministrativeproceduresandultimateappeal

tothecompetentinternationaladministrativetribunals,andnotby

otheroutsidemeanssuchasnationalcourts;and

d) Refrainfromlobbyingorseekingsupportfromgovernment

representativesindifferencestheymayhavewiththeWMO.

10.Notwithstandingtheabove,staffmembershavetherightofassociationas

wellastherightofparticipationinUNStaffbodies(FICSA,CCISUA,etc.)to

protecttherightsofthestaff,andseektheassistanceandsupportofthese

bodieswhenneeded,inaccordancewiththeprinciplessetforthintheUnited

NationsCharter.

Relations with the public, including the media

11. Inrelationswiththepublic,includingthemedia,WMOstaffmembersendeavourat

alltimestopromoteapositiveimageoftheOrganizationanditsstaff.They:

a) RepresentandseektoadvancetheWMO’sviewsandpoliciesrather

thentheirown;

b) RefrainfromairingpersonalgrievancesorcriticizingtheWMO;and

c) Protectnon-publicinformationtheyarenotauthorizedtodisclose.

Personal conduct and outside activities

12. Staffmembers’privatelivesaretheirownaffairinwhichtheWMOdoesnot

intrude.Staffmembersdonotengageinanoutsideactivitythatisincompatible

withtheirstatusasWMOstaff,coulddamagethereputationoftheWMO,

impairtheirabilitytoproperlyperformtheirfunctionsorotherwiseconflict

withtheinterestsoftheWMO,andareawarethatsuchconductwouldnot

beanentirelyprivatematter.

13. Giventheinternationalnatureoftheirposition,membersoftheWMOstaff

exercisetactanddiscretionintheirpoliticalandotheractionsandpublicstate-

mentsandavoidanywhichmightreflectadverselyonorimpairtheirability

tofunctioneffectivelyasaWMOstaffmember.Theyexercisejudgementin

theroletheyplayinsupportofapoliticalpartyorcampaignandareaware

thatvisiblepoliticalrolessuchasfundsolicitation,writingarticlesormaking

publicstatementsshouldbeavoided.Theydonotseekorholdpublicoffice

withoutauthorizationoftheSecretary-General.

II. Professionalism, objectivity, impartiality, excellence and team spirit

14. ThesuccessoftheWMOdependsuponthehighprofessionalismandperform-

anceofitsstaff.Staffmembers:

a) Carryouttheirfunctionswithobjectivityandimpartiality;

b) Performtheirtasksthoroughlyandwithrigor,inpursuitofexcellence;

c) Utilizetheirtimeondutyandtheotherpublicresourcesmadeavailable

bytheMemberStatesefficientlyandeffectivelyforthepurposesand

inthebestinterestoftheWMO;

d) Areintellectuallyhonestandrealisticintheirwork,e.g.,assurethat

statementsareproperlysupportedbydataandevidence;seek,

acceptandofferhonestcriticism;acknowledgeandcorrecterrorsand

givepropercredittothecontributionsofothers;

e) Strivetocontributetoaharmonious,pleasantandproductiveworking

atmosphere,e.g.byengaginginconstructivedialoguetoassurethat

goalsandobjectivesareunderstoodandshared,andtoavoidor

resolveproblems;and

f) Servewithdedication,bearinginmindtheneedtobalanceworkand

personallives.

15. Inurgentsituations,suchasimportantWMOmeetingsordeadlines,staff

membersshouldrespondflexibly,withteamspirit,and,similarly,mayexpect

flexibilityonthepartoftheOrganizationfortheirurgentpersonalandfamily

responsibilities.

16. Staffmembersshouldbeproactiveaboutkeepingupwiththebeststandards

andpracticesintheirfieldandshouldhaveappropriateencouragementand

supportinthisfromtheWMO.

17. Managersandsupervisorshaveaspecialresponsibilitytofosterandpromote

theprofessionalism,excellenceandteamspiritoftheirstaffandshouldserve

asrolemodelsregardingthevaluesandstandardsofconductoftheWMO.

III. Integrity

18. Integrity is fundamental. Itentailshonestyandadherencetothehighest

ethicalstandardsinallactionsasWMOstaffmembers.Itisaconditionfor

recruitmentandcontinuedemploymentintheOrganization.

19. Staffmembersdonot:

a) UsetheirpositionwithintheWMO,itsname,logooranyinformation

acquiredinthecourseoftheirofficialdutiestoobtainpersonal

advantageorunduebenefitsforthemselvesorthirdparties,orforany

otherinappropriatepurpose;

b) Solicitoraccept,orknowinglypermitathirdpersontosolicitoraccept,

anyhonour,decoration,favourorgiftinanywaylinkedtotheirroleor

statusasamemberoftheSecretariatorsolicitoracceptany

remunerationfromanoutsidesource-exceptwiththewritten

authorizationoftheSecretary-General;

c) Provideinaccurate,incompleteormisleadinginformationtotheWMO

foradministrativemattersoracceptbenefitsandallowancesforwhich

theyarenoteligible;

d) UseWMOresourcesfortheirownpersonalbenefitorthatofthird

parties2;or

e) AbusetheprivilegesandimmunitiesaccordedtoWMOanditsstaff.

20. Theybearinmindthatprivilegesandimmunitiesareaccordedforthebenefit

oftheWMOandthatabuseofthoseprivilegesandimmunitiescanharmits

imageandthereputationofitsstaffaswellasthatofthebroaderinternational

civilservice.TheydonotusetheprivilegesandimmunitiesoftheOrganization

orofitsstaffeithertoshieldthemselvesfromprivatelegalobligationsorto

obtainimproperadvantage,e.g.,publicwelfarebenefitstowhichpersons

withtheirincomewouldnotbeentitled.

Conflict of interest

21. Staffmembersavoidanyconflictof interest,orappearanceofconflictof

interest,intheperformanceoftheirduties.They:

a) Discloseinadvancepossibleconflictsofinterestthatariseinthe

courseofcarryingouttheirduties;

b) Refrainfromactinginthecourseoftheirdutieswithrespecttoa

matterinwhichtheyorsomeonewithwhomtheyhaveaclose

relationship,orfromwhomtheyareseekingemploymentorother

benefitorfavour,hasaspecialinterest;and

c) Refrainfromanyactiveassociationwiththemanagementofandhold

nofinancialinterestinanyprofitseekingorotherconcernwhichmight

benefitbyreasonoftheirpositionintheWMO.

22.Officialsholdingseniorpositionsandallofficialswithresponsibility for

preparingortakingprocurementdecisionsorinvestingormanagingfinancial

assetsmakefinancialdisclosuresannuallyandmoreoftenasrequired.3

2 Thisdoesnotprecludeminimalpersonaluseoffacilities,e.g.telephonesandcomputers,permitted

inaccordancewithestablishedinstructions.

3 TheSecretary-Generalhasestablishedinstructionsforfinancialdisclosuresforseniorofficials

andforstaffmemberswitharoleinprocurementandfinancialassetmanagement,oranyother

functionashemaydesignate.

Bringing Irregularities to Light and Cooperation with Investigations

23. Astaffmemberwhohasreasontobelievethatfraud,corruption,otherbreach

ofintegrity,orwasteorabuseoftheOrganization’sresourceshasoccurred

hasadutytoreportittotheofficialresponsiblefortakingappropriateaction.4

Ifastaffmemberconsidersthatasignificantproblemcommunicatedinthis

fashionhasnotbeenproperlyaddressed,heorshemaybringittotheattention

oftheSecretary-Generalandmaythereafterbringittotheattentionofthe

WMO’sExternalAuditors.

24. Staff members fully cooperate with the investigation of suspected

irregularities.

25. Astaffmemberdoesnotbringfrivolous,baselessormaliciouscharges.This

maybesubjecttodisciplinarymeasures.Atthesametime,aWMOstaff

memberwho,ingoodfaith,reportsorcooperatesinaninvestigationinto

suspectedirregularitieshastherighttobeprotectedagainstreprisalsor

sanctions.Suchreprisalsandsanctionswouldconstituteseriousmisconduct,

subjecttodisciplinarymeasures.

IV. Mutual respect, cultural sensitivity and non-discrimination

26. Staffmemberstreatcolleagues,whethersubordinates,peersorsupervisors,

aswellasallotherswithwhomtheycomeintocontactintheirfunctions,with

courtesyandrespect,withoutharassment5orverbalorphysicalabuse.

27. InkeepingwiththeWMO’sinternationalcharacterandcalling,staffmembers

actwithtolerance,sensitivity,respectandimpartialitytowardpersonsof

otherculturesandbackgrounds.Theytakespecialcaretolistenwellandto

4 TheSecretary-GeneralhasdesignatedtheDirectorofOversightOfficeastheprimaryresponsible

officialandhasestablishedadirectcommunicationlineforsuchreports.Astaffmembermay,

alternatively,bringthemattertotheattentionofanotherappropriateseniorofficialsuchasa

responsibleDirector,theLegalCounsel,theAssistantSecretary-General,theDeputySecretary-

GeneralortheSecretary-General.

5 Asdefinedininternalinstructionsonharassment.

expressthemselvesinamannersensitivetopotentialculturaldifferences

andlanguagebarriers.

28. Staffmembersrespectthebasichumanrightoffreedomfromdiscrimina-

tionandthedignity,worthandequalityofallpeoplewithoutanydistinction

whatsoever.Theyappreciatediversityandtreatitopen-mindedlyasapotential

sourceofenrichment.Theystrivetobeawareoftheirownpotentialbiases

andtoavoidassumptionsbasedonstereotypes.

AnnExWMO Core Values: Definitions and Associated Key Words and Phrases� I. Commitment and loyalty in international service

CommitmentandloyaltyininternationalservicemeandedicationtoorstrongsupportforthevisionoftheOrganizationandtheSecretariat’sobjectivesandindependence,aswellasscrupulousrespectfortheotherrequirementsofinternationalservice.

ThekeywordsusedbyWMOSecretariatstaffmembersindiscussing“commit-ment”tothevisionoftheWMOare:enthusiasm,dedicationandcontribution.ThekeywordsusedinrelationtocommitmenttotheSecretariatworkare:efficiency,excellence,quality,performance,motivation,willingnessandavail-ability.ThekeywordsusedbySecretariatmembersindiscussing“loyalty”are:dependability,honesty,accountability,reliabilityandtrust.

Il. Professionalism, excellence and team spirit

Professionalismmeanstheconduct,aims,orqualitiesthatmarkaprofes-sionalperson,includingtheexpertness,competenceandskillexpectedofaprofessionalinthevariousfieldsofWMOwork.

1 In2001,theSecretariatdevelopedandadoptedasetofcorevaluestogetherwithamissionstate-

ment,inaseriesofworkshopsandaretreat.Inseekingtodefinethevalues,asetofkeywords

andphraseswereidentified.ThepresentCodeofEthicsdrawssubstantialinspirationfromthat

process.

Excellencemeansbeingextremelygoodoroutstanding.

Teamspiritmeansseekingthesuccessofthegroupanddoingsowithadegreeofcamaraderieamongthegroupmembers.

KeywordsandphrasesusedbyWMOSecretariatstaffmembersindiscussingexcellenceinclude:professionalism,expertise,competence,quality,consistency,perseverance,efficiency,exceedingexpectations,continuousimprovement,learning,training,development,self-awareness,relations,peoplemanagement,motivation,encouragement,creativity,coherence,flexibilityandvisibility.

Keywordsandphrasesused indiscussing teamspirit include:workingtogether,commongoal,sharingresponsibilities,collaboration,cooperation,consultation,coordination,mutualunderstanding,respect,helpingeachother,friendship,concern,solidarity,communication,dialogue,motivation,recognition,credit,willingness,commitmentandtrust.

III. Integrity and impartiality

Integritymeansbeinghonestandmorallyupright,adheringcompletelytoastrongcodeofmoralvalues.

Impartialitymeanstreatingallequally,withoutbiasorfavour.

KeywordsusedbyWMOSecretariatstaffmembersindiscussingintegrityinclude:moralstandingandvalues,respect,ethicsandprinciples,honesty,incorruptibility,accountability,objectivityandimpartiality.Keywordsandphrasesusedindiscussingimpartiality include:objectivity,transparency,independence,neutrality, tolerance,open-mindedness, fairness, justice,honestyandabsenceofbias.

IV. Mutual respect, cultural sensitivity and diversity

Mutualrespectmeansdueregardoftwoormorepeopleforeachother’srightsandfeelings.

Culturalsensitivitymeansanawarenessofthepatterns,traits,predominatingattitudesandbehaviourofvariousgroups,communitiesandnationalitieswithwhichSecretariatmemberscomeintocontact.

KeywordsandphrasesusedbyWMOSecretariatstaffmembersindiscuss-ingmutualrespectinclude:listeningtoothers,treatingpeoplefairly,goodmanners,consideration,concern,courtesy,empathy,respectfordiversityordifference,freedomfromprejudice,tolerance,acceptance,workingwithothers,confidence,trust,contribution,capabilities,recognition,sharingworkloadandrespectingotherpeople’sopinions,convictionsandfeelings.

Keywordsandphrasesusedindiscussingculturalsensitivityanddiversityinclude:equality;unityindiversity;actingwithoutbias;abandoningprejudices;acceptingthatnocultureissuperiortoanother;dountoothersasyouwouldlikethemtodountoyou;avoidingcoercion;equalityofmenandwomen;balancedgenderdistribution;noderogatoryremarksaboutothercultures,religionsor theoppositesex;grantingeveryoneafairandvaluedplace;religiousbeliefshouldbeaprivatematter.