In 1992, countries adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as a
response to the problem of global warming. Five years later, they adopted the Kyoto Protocol, which
strengthens the Convention by setting legally binding emission reduction requirements for 37
industrialized countries. The ultimate objective of both treaties is to stabilize greenhouse gas
concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the
climate system. The staff of the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat works towards this goal,
guided by the Convention's 195 and the Protocol's 192 Parties. In 1996, Governments decided to accept
the offer of the German Government to locate the secretariat in the German city of Bonn. At the head of
the secretariat is the Executive Secretary. This position is currently held by Christiana Figures.
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