Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Christiana Figueres, will serve out her term that ends in July. She has chosen not to seek an extension of her appointment.
In a correspondent on Friday to non-party stakeholders, Ms. Figueres wrote: “I write to confirm that I will serve out my term as the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC which finishes July 6, 2016 and not accept an extension of my appointment. As you well know, the Paris Agreement is a historical achievement, built on years of increasing willingness to construct bridges of collaboration and solidarity across all boundaries.
“Governments deserve much credit for the remarkable outcomes of Paris, but so do you, the wider participants in the UNFCCC process. During many years you held the torch of the imperative high for all of us to see. Your support and your determination were unswerving. Your patience and your urgency were compelling.
“Much remains to be done, especially in the next five years, to ensure we turn good intentions to the reality we all want. I know you will continue to inject the energy, passion and perseverance into the process. You can count on me to do the same.”
Karen Christiana Figueres Olsen is a Costa Rican diplomat. She was appointed executive secretary of the UNFCCC on May 17, 2010, succeeding Yvo de Boer.
Aged 59, she was educated at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
