The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was negotiated by an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC/FCCC) set up by the United Nations General Assembly. The INC consists of Government representatives and is open to accredited observers. Supported by a Geneva-based secretariat, it will continue to function until the treaty enters into force. It will then be replaced by the Conference of the Parties (COP), which will be the supreme body of the Convention and will oversee its implementation.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provided scientific and technical assessments to support the negotiations. It continues to play an advisory role during the current interim period. The Global Environment Facility (GEF), established by the UN Development program, the UN Environment Programme, and the World Bank, is the interim source of funding for Convention-related activities and projects, mainly in developing countries.