The Americas

Costa Rica nominates Christiana Figueres for next UN chief

Associated Press
Published | Updated

FILE - In this Nov. 28, 2015 file photo, United Nations Climate Chief Christiana Figueres looks on during a press conference ahead of the U.N Climate Conference in Le Bourget, outside Paris, France. Costa Rica's government announced on Thursday, July 7, 2016 that they are nominating Figueres for U.N. Secretary General. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Nov. 28, 2015 file photo, United Nations Climate Chief Christiana Figueres looks on during a press conference ahead of the U.N Climate Conference in Le Bourget, outside Paris, France. Costa Rica's government announced on Thursday, July 7, 2016 that they are nominating Figueres for U.N. Secretary General. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File) (The Associated Press)

Costa Rica has nominated the U.N.'s former lead official on climate change as its candidate to be the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

Christiana Figueres is the 12th candidate vying to succeed Ban Ki-moon as U.N. chief on Jan. 1.

Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solis said Thursday the U.N. and the world need Figueres because she is a proven "bridge builder" who can listen, consult, help resolve disputes, build agreements and anticipate problems.

Figueres helped shape last year's long-awaited Paris Agreement to fight climate change as executive secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, and her performance has raised her international profile.

Figueres described herself as a leader with organizational skills and "a strong moral compass" who can inspire the world.