The Bureau of the COP consists of representatives from each of the five UN regions, as well as the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and supports the COP through organisation of the COP's sessions, provides advice regarding ongoing activities between sessions, and assists the Secretariat in its functions. The Bureau members include a President, seven Vice-Presidents, the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies, and a rapporteur. The office of the Conference president rotates annually between the five UN regional groups. South Africa held the COP17/CMP7 in 2011 and was COP/CMP President until the opening day of COP18/CMP8 in Doha.

The Asia-Pacific Group is the next host of the Conference of the Parties with COP18/CMP 8 taking place from November 26 to December 7, 2012 in Doha, Qatar.

Following the procedural rules of the conference, it is customary for the COP and CMP to elect as President a minister from the host country. The President of COP18/CMP8 is His Excellency Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Director of the Qatar Administrative Control and Transparency Authority.

H.E. Al-Attiyah brings significant experience to the role. Prior to holding the current office, H.E. Al-Attiyah’s career of service to Qatar has included the offices of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Industry, and Minister of Water and Electricity.