24 February 2015
IPCC Session Informed of Chair’s Resignation, Agenda Focuses on Panel’s Future
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At the opening of the 41st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 41), delegates were informed that, effective immediately, IPCC Chair Rajendra Pachauri had stepped down from his position.

Pachauri sent a letter, dated 24 February 2015, to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon informing him of his decision to resign.

Pachauri noted that the IPCC needs the time and full attention of the Chair in the immediate future, and that he is unable to provide this leadership at the current time.

In response and prior to the opening of IPCC 41, the IPCC Bureau agreed to designate Vice-Chair Ismail El Gizouli as Acting IPCC Chair.

IPCC24 February 2015: At the opening of the 41st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 41), delegates were informed that, effective immediately, IPCC Chair Rajendra Pachauri had stepped down from his position. Pachauri sent a letter, dated 24 February 2015, to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon informing him of his decision to resign. Pachauri noted that the IPCC needs the time and full attention of the Chair in the immediate future, and that he is unable to provide this leadership at the current time. In response and prior to the opening of IPCC 41, the IPCC Bureau agreed to designate Vice-Chair Ismail El Gizouli as Acting IPCC Chair.

IPCC 41 is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, and delegates are expected to discuss, among other things, the future work of the IPCC.

Regarding future work, the panel will consider: recommendations by the Task Group on Future Work of the IPCC; size, structure and composition of the IPCC Bureau and any Task Force Bureau; a questionnaire regarding the IPCC nomination and review process – report by the Secretariat; the report of the expert meeting on potential studies of the IPCC process – recommended principles to guide IPCC engagement; and a request from Monaco for an IPCC special report on the ocean.

The Panel will also address: the IPCC programme and budget; communication and outreach activities; a report on the activities of the IPCC Executive Committee; implementation of the IPPC Conflict of Interest Policy; implementation of the IPCC Error Protocol; progress reports on, inter alia, the IPCC Scholarship Programme and preparation of expert meetings; and matters related to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other international bodies.

The session is scheduled to conclude on 27 February 2015. [IPCC-41 Website] [IISD RS Coverage of IPCC-41][IPCC Chair Pachuri’s resignation letter][IPCC Press Release]

 


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