Since its inception in 1995, the Conference of the Parties (COP) has been the battleground for critical negotiations and iconic speeches shaping global climate action. Key figures who left their mark include:
- Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, instrumental in securing the 2015 Paris Agreement and pioneering a new diplomatic strategy based on progressive national commitments.
- Xie Zhenhua, veteran Chinese envoy whose role was crucial in the Paris Agreement negotiations, representing one of the world’s largest emitters.
- Greta Thunberg, youth climate activist who shook COP proceedings with her uncompromising demand for immediate action, sparking global mobilization.
- Tony de Brum, diplomat from the Marshall Islands who fiercely advocated for climate justice, reminding wealthy nations of their ethical duty toward climate-vulnerable peoples.
- Simon Stiell, current Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, whose leadership during COP28 amplified the urgent call for tangible climate commitments.
These figures illustrate the COP as a convergence of diplomacy, science, activism, and moral leadership—shaping the global climate agenda.