Summary of the consultation on elections with the Chairs and Coordinators of regional groups and constituencies, convened on Tuesday, 24 June 2025
The second consultation on elections began with brief remarks from Ms. Christine Adam, Director and Principal Legal Adviser of the UNFCCC Legal Affairs Division, who outlined the Division’s role in the UNFCCC electoral process.
Vice-President González then addressed the agenda items concerning the status of outstanding nominations from COP 29, as well as nominations for SB 62 and COP 30. She requested that Chairs and Coordinators give priority to transmitting their nominations for the positions of SBI Vice-Chair and SBSTA and SBI Rapporteurs, to be elected at the closing plenaries of the subsidiary bodies on Thursday, 26 June 2025. She reminded them that in line with rule 27, paragraph 5 of the draft rules of procedure of the COP and its subsidiary bodies, there is to be due regard to the principle of equitable geographical representation in electing the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Rapporteurs of the subsidiary bodies.
Vice-President González informed that if no nominations are received, the current SBI Vice-Chair and SBSTA and SBI Rapporteurs shall remain in office until their successors are elected.
At the third meeting (closing plenary) of the SBI, the following officers were elected to the SBI Bureau:
Mr. Eyad Aljubran (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) as SBI Vice-Chair
Ms. Kamil Salazar (Belize) as SBI Rapporteur
At the third meeting (closing plenary) of the SBSTA, the following officer was elected to the SBSTA Bureau:
Ms. Rita Mishaan (Guatemala) as SBSTA Rapporteur.
Vice-President González urged the Chairs and Coordinators to make extra efforts to finalize the outstanding nominations from COP 29, to ensure the proper functioning of all bodies, some of which are at risk of being unable to operate effectively due to the high number of unfilled seats.
She also encouraged Chairs and Coordinators to continue coordination within their groups and constituencies on the positions open for appointment or election at the UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, and to submit these by the deadline of Saturday, 15 November 2025 at 8 p.m., Belém Standard Time.
The next consultation on elections will be held in Belém, Brazil.
Summary of the consultation on elections with the Chairs and Coordinators of regional groups and constituencies, convened on Wednesday, 18 June 2025
The first consultation on the elections and appointments of officers at SB 62 and COP 30 to UNFCCC bodies was convened on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.
Vice-President Sara González informed Chairs, Coordinators and advisers that the President has invited her to conduct the consultations on his behalf and requested her to update the President and the Bureau on the progress.
Vice-President González recalled that 101 nominations are outstanding from COP 29.
She urged the Chairs and Coordinators to make extra efforts to finalize the outstanding nominations, to ensure the proper functioning of all bodies, some of which are at risk of being unable to operate effectively due to the high number of unfilled seats.
On the outstanding nominations from COP 29, Chairs and Coordinators of the regional groups and constituencies informed that they continue to engage in further consultations within their groups and constituencies and hope to transmit these outstanding nominations soon.
Vice-President González further informed Chairs and Coordinators that nominations are expected for 195 positions open for the election to be held in 2025.
She further informed that at the upcoming 62nd sessions of the SBSTA and SBI, the SBSTA shall elect its Rapporteur and the SBI shall elect its Vice-Chair and Rapporteur respectively for 2025. Vice-President González encouraged Chairs and Coordinators to give priority to transmitting the nominations for these positions with the deadline for doing so being Wednesday, 25 June 2025 at 8 p.m., Central European Summer Time. She informed that if no nominations are received, the current SBI Vice-Chair and SBSTA and SBI Rapporteurs shall remain in office until their successors are elected.
Vice-President González further informed that 140 of the 195 currently serving members and alternate members are eligible for re-election for a second term of office. Following the established practice, Vice-President González recommended that Chairs and Coordinators renominate those members and alternate members eligible for re-election. She also encouraged Chairs and Coordinators to ensure balanced representation between women and men when nominating candidates for election.
The secretariat provided an update on gender representation on UNFCCC bodies.
The next consultation will be held in Bonn, Germany on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.
