Patricia Espinosa (Master in International Law, 1987), Mexican ambassador to Germany, has been appointed Secretary Executive for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Ms. Espinosa has more than 30 years of experience at highest levels in international relations, specialising in climate change, global governance, sustainable development and protection of human rights.

According to sources, her election is due to her outstanding work during the UN Climate Change Conferences in Paris, in 2016 (COP21) and Cancun in 2010 (COP16). Now that a UN climate deal has been agreed, her role will be to negotiate the rulebook and put it into action, during a three year mandate, together with UN member states.

Teresa Ribera, former Secretary of State for Climate Change, Government of Spain, says by electing Ms Espinosa, the UN will be presenting Mexico as a key multilateral actor, which amongst climate negotiations “plays an important pathway between industrialised countries and developing countries”.