by Adil Najam

The United Nations is seeking a new climate chief to head the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Pakistan has made an excellent choice by nominating a noted environmentalist, Dr Tariq Banuri, as its candidate. The United Nations Secretary General has the responsibility to find someone who can help put global climate negotiations that are now in utter disarray back on tracks.

He also has the opportunity to give real direction to the ongoing debate on improved global environmental governance, which has been floundering and rudderless. This is not an easy job, and the process of finding the right person is not made any easier by the petty politics of pride that invariably accompany high-level UN appointments.

Six well-respected climate leaders are now in the race: Dr Tariq Banuri (Pakistan), Christiana Figueres (Costa Rica), Janos Pasztor (Hungary), Marthins van Schalkwyk (South Africa), More >