Addis Ababa — The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Carlos Lopes, has been appointed as commissioner for the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate (GCEC). His appointment was confirmed at a major meeting of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate today in London.

The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate is a major international initiative to examine how countries can achieve economic growth while dealing with the risks posed by climate change. The Commission comprises former heads of government and finance ministers and leaders in the fields of economics and business.

President Felipe Calderón, former president of Mexico, expressed optimism that Mr. Lopes will, as a commissioner, take forward the work of the New Climate Economy (NCE), which is the GCEC's flagship project to help economic decision-makers seize available opportunities to achieve growth and climate objectives together.

"The NCE team was very pleased to have worked closely with ECA on side-events at COP21 and the recent ECA meetings in Addis Ababa," Said Mr. Calderón. "We look forward to working closely with you and your colleagues on green industrialization and economic transformation in Africa and the world."

Mr. Lopes, who was attending the 2016 meeting of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, said he was humbled by the appointment, and pledged his support for NCE's work.

"It delights me that there are strong similarities between what the NCE does and some of the work we do at ECA, specifically in line with green industrialization and economic transformation," Said Mr. Lopes. "I will do my utmost best to take forward the work of NCE in Africa and the world."