Patricia Espinosa, Mexico’s ambassador to Germany, has been formally appointed as executive secretary for the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced Espinosa’s nomination in early May, at which time a consultation with the Bureau of the UNFCCC began. Meeting in Bonn this week, the UNFCCC on Thursday announced the acceptance of the nomination.
“I stand ready to work with all governments – as well with all other stakeholders – to realize the inspiring aims and ambitions of the new UN climate agreement adopted in Paris last December. This is the time for implementation and action – action that science informs us must be swift, decisive and sustained,” Espinosa said in Bonn.
Espinosa will replace outgoing Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres, who helped steer nearly 200 nations to the creation of the world’s first universal climate agreement. Figueres announced her resignation, effective as of July 6, in February. “I consider Patricia Espinosa the right person at the right time for advancing the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement,” Figueres said in the announcement. “Her wealth of experience, hands-on understanding of the international climate process and her firm grasp of the crucial link between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals will be a huge asset for advancing these crucial agendas over the years to come.”
Espinosa’s three decades of work in diplomacy has focused on issues of climate change, defending human rights, global governance, and sustainable development, the UNFCCC said. She served as Mexican foreign affairs minister from 2006 to 2012 and is in her second stint as the country’s ambassador to Germany.
