16 July 2014
UN Secretary-General Appoints Special Envoy on Climate Change
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as his Special Envoy for Climate Change.

Robinson was brought on to engage Heads of State and Governments, help mobilize political will and action, and raise ambition in advance of the 2014 Climate Summit.

mary-robinson14 July 2014: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, as his Special Envoy for Climate Change. Robinson was brought on to engage Heads of State and Government, help mobilize political will and action, and raise ambition in advance of the 2014 Climate Summit.

The Summit is expected to be an important milestone to mobilize political commitment for reaching a global deal in 2015, stimulate enhanced action to reduce emissions and build climate-resilient communities. Robinson will also provide strategic advice to the Secretary-General based on her consultations and is expected to continue her post through the climate talks in Paris in 2015.

On accepting her appointment, Robinson said she believed that the Secretary-General’s focus on climate change and his faith in her capacity to help make progress on the challenges presented by climate change was an affirmation of the work of her foundation, the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, whose efforts on climate justice emphasize the urgency of action on climate change from a people’s perspective. She indicated that she intends to follow this approach as the Special Envoy for Climate Change.

Previously, Robinson was Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, where she brought together the international community to support the region’s efforts in conflict resolution, socioeconomic development and mainstreaming of marginalized groups, including women. [UN Press Release] [Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice Press Release]

 


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