31 October 2012: The German Government officially handed over the building complex Altes Abgeordnetenhochhaus to the UNFCCC Secretariat in a symbolic presentation of the key to UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres.

When receiving the key on behalf of the UN, Figueres highlighted that once the building is complete, “it will help to fill a pressing need to accommodate the demand from governments for space and facilities as UN negotiations enter a phase of urgent implementation of action against climate change.”

Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle underscored that the building “will symbolize the growing importance of Bonn as a UN city.” Over the coming months, the UNFCCC Secretariat, including around 275 employees, will move into the Altes Abgeordnetenhochhaus. The building, which dates from 1948 to 1953 and formerly housed parliamentary offices, was refurbished in an attempt to achieve harmony between the existing and the new sections. The construction project had to meet UNFCCC needs, while retaining the original facades and proportions. The new sections were constructed according to zero-emission standards. [German Government Press Release]