Patricia Espinosa sworn in as UNFCCC chief

Seventy-four days after she was confirmed by governing council of countries to her nomination as the new head of Bonn-based United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) body, the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, today August 1, 2016 sworn in Mexican diplomat, Patricia Espinosa Cantellano as the substantive Executive Secretary of UNFCCC.

Espinosa in her twitter handle described the event as a huge honour to be sworn-in to the top job of the UN climate body.

She wrote, “It was a huge honour to be sworn in as new UNFCCC Executive Secretary by United Nations Secretary General at the United Nations in New York City,”.

The Mexican diplomat, who was appointed May 2016 took charge of the climate body in July from Costa Rican Christiana Figueres, who is stepped down after six years in the role.

“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,” Espinosa said in a statement in July.

“This is the time for implementation and action – action that science informs us must be swift, decisive and sustained.”

The veteran civil servant gained widespread praise for her role in guiding the 2010 Cancun climate summit to a successful conclusion.

“I consider Patricia Espinosa the right person at the right time for advancing the historic Paris Climate Change Agreement,” said Figueres.

“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 first challenge will be steering negotiations at the 2016 Marrakech UN climate summit. Having approved the Paris Agreement in 2015, 196 countries are now working on a set of rules to ensure it can be implemented effectively.