Ko Barrett

Ko Barrett is the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Deputy Secretary-General and Senior Advisor for Climate at US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

She was IPCC Vice-Chair from December 2015 until July 2023. Prior to this she has held senior positions in NOAA such as Deputy Assistant Administrator Research, Deputy Director, Climate Program Office, Acting Division Chief, Climate Assessment and Services Division, and Associate Director for International Affairs.

As NOAA’s foremost authority on climate, Ko Barrett serves as the agency’s representative in a wide spectrum of intra-agency, inter-agency, and international dialogues and initiatives aimed at advancing climate action.

She has also held positions in the US Department of State as Senior Climate Change Adviser and Climate Change Negotiator and in USAID as Director, USAID’s Global Climate Change Program.

She has over 30 years of experience in the domains of climate, atmospheric and environmental research and services. She is familiar with the work of the WMO and UN communities.

Under her position at WMO, Ko Barrett will guide the effective management of WMO’s technical departments and related programmes ensuring coordinated and consistent interdepartmental work. She will enhance the efficiency and visibility of WMO Regional Offices in relations with governments.