The IPCC Bureau comprises the IPCC Chair, the IPCC Vice-Chairs, the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Working Groups and the Co-Chairs of the Task Force. It is chaired by the IPCC Chair. During its 41st Session , the Panel decided to increase the size of the Bureau from 31 members to 34 through an increase in representation from Africa (2) and Asia (1).
The purpose of the Bureau is to provide guidance to the Panel on the scientific and technical aspects of its work, to advise on related management and strategic issues, and to take decisions on specific issues within its mandate, in accordance with the Principles Governing IPCC Work. For more details on the role of the Bureau see the Terms of Reference of the Bureau agreed by the IPCC at its 33rd Session.
Members of the Bureau are elected by the Panel for the duration of an assessment cycle following procedures laid down in Appendix C of the Principles Governing the IPCC Work. The Bureau shall reflect a balanced geographic representation with due consideration for scientific and technical requirements. IPCC Bureau members are grouped according to the six regions of the World Meteorological Organization. None of them is paid by the IPCC.
The Panel at its 33rd Session decided to limit the term of office for the IPCC Chair, IPCC Vice-Chairs and the Co-Chairs of the Working Groups and Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories to one term in a particular office with the possibility of nomination for election for a further term in the same office for individual cases as decided by the Panel.