On 28 March, the CERN Council concluded an intense week of presentations and discussions covering the full range of CERN’s activities. The delegates congratulated CERN and its personnel on a spectacular year in 2024, with the accelerators, detectors and computing breaking new performance records and with the release of beautiful physics results from across our scientific programme. This was demonstrated by the depth and breadth of the 2024 Annual Progress Report.

Highlights from CERN’s knowledge transfer activities showed the far-reaching impact of particle physics research across environmental, aerospace, healthcare, digital and other applications. The Member States also approved the use of isotopes produced at CERN’s MEDICIS facility for clinical treatment, reinforcing CERN's commitment to translating scientific research and innovation into societal benefits.

The Council approved the admission of Chile and Ireland as new Associate Member States, subject to completion of the necessary accession and ratification processes in the countries. I hope that the agreements can be signed soon so that we can welcome these countries into the CERN family in the near future.  The Council also endorsed CERN’s management structure for the period 2026–2030, as proposed by the Director-General designate, Professor Mark Thomson.

The process for the update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics is in full swing, with input from the community submitted by the deadline of 31 March. The Physics Preparatory Group and the European Strategy Group are preparing to review the contributions, which will then be extensively discussed at the Open Symposium that will be held in Venice in June.

Throughout the week, the Council’s discussions highlighted the strong and sustained support of our Member and Associate Member States for CERN’s mission and personnel, for which we are very grateful. I would also like to take this opportunity to express, on behalf of the Directorate, our heartfelt thanks to you, the CERN community, for your hard work and dedication to the Organization.