Jose Maria Valenzuela was chosen as an observer at the UNFCC COP16 to deliver the final message on behalf of the Research and Independent NGO constituency. He has worked with several research institutions, including the Climate Policy Initiative-Beijing as a Visiting Fellow. Valenzuela recently joined the Mexican federal government and works on sustainability and technology policy. He received his undergraduate degree from El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico City and a Master in International Development at Tsinghua University, Beijing.