Secretary-General Hails Election of Lee Hoesung as Chair of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as Governments Prepare for Paris Conference

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the election today of Lee Hoesung of the Republic of Korea as Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), who will guide the Panel’s work on assessing the science related to climate change.

The IPCC’s fifth assessment report, released last November, provides the most comprehensive assessment of climate change ever undertaken.  It adds to the overwhelming evidence that human activity is disrupting the climate, and warns that we risk severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts should present emission trends continue.  The IPCC’s report also shows us that we have a variety of options to limit climate change and help build a safer, more sustainable world now and into the future.

The Secretary-General reaffirms his support for the crucial role played by the IPCC in supplying decision-makers and the public with the world’s most authoritative scientific understanding of climate change, including its impacts as well as solutions.  He looks forward to the IPCC’s new leadership at this critical moment when Governments are preparing for the global Climate Change Conference in Paris later this year, and extends his congratulations to Mr. Lee.