UNFCCC secretariat Great climate at the „History Corner“

Bonn · While the Bayer shareholders were involved in heated discussions at their general meeting in the WCCB, the corks popped open in the UNFCCC secretariat located in the former Abgeordnetenhaus across the road.

General secretary Patricia Espinosa opened the „History Corner“, together with her predecessors Christiana Figueres, Ivo de Boer and Michael Zammit Cutaja as well as mayor Reinhard Limbach. The exhibition explains the history of the secretariat and the process of international climate debate vividly.

The exhibition marks the 25th anniversary of the United Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was passed on May 9, 1992, in New York City and signed at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro by 154 states. „At least, the climate is great here“, said a staff member jokingly about the excellent and worthy exhibition. The exhibits are not just a collection of chronological tables, historical documents, certificates and scientific reports. They also consist of newspaper articles from around the world and many photographs as well as souvenirs that participants of countless events and conferences regarding climate debate gathered world wide. A long case clock catches the eye - environmentalists handed it to the then general secretary Ivo de Boer at the world climate summit in Kopenhagen 2009.

Virtually as a cenotaph: The clock for the world climate is ticking. The Dutchman de Boer took over the leadership of the climate secretariat a year after his predecessor Joke Waller-Hunter had passed away. The „History Corner“ was named after Richard Kinley. The Canadian has served at the UNFCCC in various positions since 1993. In 2006 he was made vice general secretary. For him, the opening of the exhibition was a particularly special day as it marked the start of his retirement as well. Espinosa remembered in her speech the beginnings of the climate debate and the move of the climate secretariat from Geneva to Bonn, where the employees first worked in the Carstanjen Quartier.

Back then, they had brought a maple from Switzerland as a lasting and especially growing memory of Geneva, which they planted in the garden of the house, explained Michael Zammit Cutaja, who lead the interests of the UNFCCC from 1991 until 2002 as first general secretary. „I hope that maple tree doesn't turn into a weeping willow for the few remaining staff still at that building“, he smirked. Since 2013, most of the 500 employees work in the former Langer Eugen and the neighboring former Bundeshaus. More offices are currently under development at the building site of the 18-storey skyscraper on the UN campus. Espinosa praised Bonn as a perfect location. „We are all very happy to be here.“

Her predecessor, Christiana Figueres, general secretary between 2010 and 2016, seems to have also enjoyed working in Bonn. „I am practically coming home“, she said. Like them the other speakers recalled the importance of bringing the states’ wishes in regard to climate change in line with the financial possibilities and economical agendas. The next world climate change summit, Conference of the Parties (COP 23), is taking place on November 6-17, 2017 - for the third time in the Bundesstadt Bonn. Groups who would like to visit the exhibition should register in advance. For more information, see www.unfccc.int. (Orig. text: Lisa Inhoffen, Translation: Mareike Graepel)

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