150 years of international collaboration – Measurements for all times, for all people

On 20 May 1875, representatives from 17 nations met in Paris. They were there to sign the Metre Convention(external link), which established the framework for the first global, unified measurement system. Initially focused on the units of mass and length, it now covers all physical measurements, and supports the International System of Units (the SI(external link)).

In the intervening 150 years, many more nations have signed the Convention, enabling progress and international collaboration across a range of endeavours – growing industry and trade, advancing scientific discovery, and addressing global challenges like climate change, health and energy.

 

^{Current members and associate members of the Metre Convention}

In recognition of the role that measurement has played – and continues to play – in transforming the world, 20 May each year was declared World Metrology Day back in 1999, and it has been celebrated by metrologists ever since. Last year, it became an official UNESCO day(external link), and had a theme of sustainability.

This year, to mark the additional significance of century and a half of international collaboration, the theme is Measurements for all times, for all people. This was chosen not only to highlight the importance of measurements in shaping our past, present and future, but also to emphasise inclusivity(external link), “recognising that reliable and traceable measurements are essential for fostering equity and improving the quality of life for all people, everywhere.”

2025 is also the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology(external link), with public events being held across New Zealand(external link) and the wider world.

It truly is a big year for precision measurement.

Join us

To mark World Metrology Day 2025, MSL is teaming up with the Metrology Society of Australasia and Trading Standards to run two special events in central Wellington(external link) on 20 May.

In the afternoon, we’re holding a technical expo at Rutherford House. There we’ll take a deep-dive into New Zealand's quality infrastructure and its impact on industry. We’ll hear from MSL scientists from around the lab, and learn more about the future of measurement science.

For the evening event, we’ll move to MBIE. The programme will take us on a journey through the past, present and future; from the early days of the metric system in NZ, and the current impact of measurement on our daily lives, all the way to the quantum realm, where precision is measured at the subatomic scale.

MSL Director and Chief Metrologist, Dr Annette Koo says, "We always love celebrating metrologists and what they do for us – what better opportunity than the anniversary marked by this year's World Metrology Day? We will lift the lid on some of the treasures in New Zealand's own archives, and look ahead to how we are going to tackle the technology and global challenges coming our way."

Both events are free and open to the public. To register for either or both, visit the MSA website(external link). We look forward to seeing you there.