JEDDAH: Saudi diplomat Sarah Baashan and Jo Tyndall, New Zealand’s former climate ambassador, were named co-chairs of the UN global climate talks.
The six most influential positions within the UN are now all held by women, Climate Change News reported.
Outgoing UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said it is unsurprising that two women will take action forward. “It is wonderful to see two new voices and inspirations to support work.”
Figueres said the presence of a Saudi at the top table points to a desire of the Kingdom to take a “constructive approach” to climate change.
France’s Environment Minister, Segolene Royal, is now president of the talks, aided by two UN “climate champions”: Moroccan minister Hakima El Haite and Paris Agreement architect Laurence Tubiana.
A UN official said the appointment of the pair as co-chairs was “spontaneous”, but others eye a desire by the 196 countries at the negotiations to start implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Saudi woman lands key UN job
Saudi woman lands key UN job
