UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who is getting into the 2020 U.S. presidential race, has resigned as UN special envoy for climate action, said a UN spokesman on Monday.
Bloomberg wrote to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Nov. 11 to inform him of his resignation, said Stephane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman.
"So as of Nov. 11, he was no longer a UN envoy. Mr. Bloomberg thanked the secretary-general for his leadership on climate (change) in the letter, and we thank Mr. Bloomberg for the work he's done on climate," said Dujarric.
He said Bloomberg was "a catalyst" in his role as UN special envoy to bring cities together to mobilize efforts in the fight against climate change.
"The secretary-general has often lauded the role of municipalities in their fight against climate change as they are often on the front lines of its impact," said Dujarric.
Guterres appointed Bloomberg as his special envoy for climate action in March 2018. Guterres' immediate predecessor, Ban Ki-moon, had appointed Bloomberg as his first special envoy for cities and climate change in January 2014.
Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor, announced his intention to run for president on Nov. 7 and formally entered the race as a Democratic candidate on Sunday.
