Published Monday, 09 August 2010
The next UUP leader will be elected on 22 September during a Special General Meeting of the Ulster Unionist Council.
The meeting will be held in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
All registered party members will be entitled to attend and vote, the UUP said.
"Concurrent with convening the Special Meeting, nominations are now being sought for the position of Party Leader," Party Chairman David Campbell said.
"Sir Reg Empey shall continue to carry out the functions of Party Leader and Party Nominating Officer until his successor is deemed elected".
Nominations must be received by 31 August.
To date, only Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tom Elliott has declared his intention to contest the leadership.
Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea has also been tipped to enter the race.
Sir Reg's leadership was called into question when he failed to win the South Antrim seat in the May 2010 elections.
The UUP lost their only seat in the Westminster parliamentary elections when Lady Sylvia Hermon stood as an independent candidate and retained the North Down constituency.
On Monday, Mr Campbell thanked Mr Empey for his contribution to Northern Ireland politics.
"As the Party's Chief Negotiator during the All-Party Talks he negotiated the settlement that has led to the peace and stable devolved government that is enjoyed today", Mr Campbell said.
"As a Minister at DETI and then at DEL he has been forward in protecting and promoting our economy both at home and abroad, and has always been a constructive partner in the Northern Ireland Executive.
"His period of Leadership of our Party has produced the reform and modernisation of our structures which eluded his predecessors and he has restored financial stability to our organisation and undoubtedly moved the UUP and Northern Ireland closer to mainsteam British political life."