On Sunday afternoon, 31 August 2008, the IPCC gathered at the Bâtiment des Forces Motrices, Geneva, Switzerland, to commemorate its 20th Anniversary. Rajendra Pachauri, IPCC Chair, opened the session, and delegates were addressed by Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, Moritz Leuenberger, Federal Councillor and Head of the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, Switzerland, Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the WMO, Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UNEP, and Roberto Acosta, who was speaking on behalf of Yvo de Boer, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC. Following the opening of the ceremony, a panel discussion reflected on the evolution of climate change science since 1988. The panel consisted of special guests that have played an important role in the IPCC over the past 20 years, including previous Executive Heads of IPCC parent organizations and members of the IPCC Bureau.
Delegates were also presented photos by Yann Arthus-Bertrand from his collection “Earth From the Sky”, as well as a preview of his film on the State of the Earth.
The celebration ceremony was concluded with remarks by Rajendra Pachauri on future challenges for the IPCC.
In the evening, delegates attended a reception hosted by the Swiss Federal Council, the State Council of the Republic and Canton Geneva and the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva.
