Versailles:The United Arab Emirates participated in the 28th meeting of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) held in Versailles, France. The conference was attended by representatives from member states, alongside international leaders and experts in the field of metrology.

According to Emirates News Agency, the conference resulted in the adoption of seven resolutions focused on the development of the global measurement system and the future of timekeeping. These resolutions included institutional and financial arrangements supporting the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).

Engineer Saeed Mohammed Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the Emirates Metrology Institute (EMI) under the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), led the UAE delegation. This participation is part of the UAE's initiative to enhance its role in international scientific forums and expand its technical collaborations.

The adopted resolutions cover topics such as the future definition of the second, digital transformation of the global metrology system, and actions required to ensure the continuity of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Other resolutions address universal adherence to the Metre Convention, the BIPM's financial allocation for 2028 to 2031, and the Rules of Procedure of the General Conference. Notably, a resolution was passed to define an international lunar reference time scale and its traceability to UTC, which is crucial for navigation and timing systems for future lunar missions.

On the sidelines of the conference, Al Muhairi engaged in bilateral meetings with international institutions, including Poland's Central Office of Measures (GUM). Discussions explored opportunities for cooperation, expertise exchange, and the development of technical capabilities.

He also met with presidents of three consultative committees of the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM), discussing the possibility of EMI representatives attending meetings as official observers. This engagement aims to enhance access to scientific and technical developments and increase contributions to the international measurement system.

Additional discussions involved representatives from Singapore's A*STAR National Metrology Centre (NMC) and India's CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), focusing on scientific and technical collaboration, talent development, and research partnerships.

The UAE's involvement in the conference underscores its commitment to advancing national metrology capabilities and fostering international cooperation to support its industrial and technological sectors.