Working with my colleagues at the UNFCCC Secretariat in support of the climate change negotiations has been a tremendous experience”, said Mr. de Boer who has led the organisation since September 2006. “It was a difficult decision to make, but I believe the time is ripe for me to take on a new challenge, working on climate and sustainability with the private sector and academia,” he explained.

I have always maintained that while governments provide the necessary policy framework, the real solutions must come from business,” said Yvo de Boer. “Copenhagen did not provide us with a clear agreement in legal terms, but the political commitment and sense of direction toward a low-emissions world are overwhelming. This calls for new partnerships with the business sector and I now have the chance to help make this happen”, he added.

Mr. de Boer will remain in his current position until 1st July and help negotiations move forward ahead of the Climate Change Conference in Mexico in November this year. “Countries responsible for 80% of energy related CO2 emissions have submitted national plans and targets to address the climate change. This underlines their commitment to meet the challenge of climate change and work towards an agreed outcome in Cancun”, he said.

Mr. de Boer (1954) was appointed Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC in September 2006. Before that he was extensively involved in European Union environmental policy as deputy Director General of the Dutch Environment Ministry. Mr. de Boer has also served as Vice-chair of the U.N. Commission on Sustainable Development, acted as an advisor to the Government of China and the World Bank and worked closely with the World Business Council on Sustainable Development.