Azerbaijan, Commonwealth explore climate challenges, collaborative efforts High-level dialogue within COP29

Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) Sahiba Gafarova met with Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, to discuss collaborative efforts between Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth.

According to the Press and Public Relations Department of the Parliament, the meeting also focused on COP29, currently held in Baku, and Azerbaijan’s global initiatives under its leadership role, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Gafarova expressed her pleasure in recalling previous interactions with Patricia Scotland, noting that the Secretary General’s first official visit to Azerbaijan in May had successfully established institutional cooperation between Azerbaijan and Commonwealth member states.

The conversation highlighted the practical aspects of this cooperation, particularly Azerbaijan's political and financial support for developing small island states through the Commonwealth network. Additionally, the meeting covered Azerbaijan's provision of humanitarian and technical assistance to these nations and its various initiatives during its four-year tenure as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Climate change was underscored as a crucial area of collaboration. The discussion pointed out the extreme vulnerability of small island states to climate change and the existential threats they face. The Small Island Developing States Leaders Summit on Climate Change, held as part of COP29, was mentioned as a pivotal event. President Ilham Aliyev delivered an extensive address at this summit, emphasizing the challenges climate change poses to small island nations and outlining Azerbaijan’s proactive measures to support these states. The summit aims to amplify the concerns and voices of these vulnerable countries on the global stage.

Gafarova also briefed Patricia Scotland about an upcoming parliamentary meeting co-hosted by the Milli Majlis and the Inter-Parliamentary Union on November 16-17, within the framework of COP29. She noted that approximately 330 parliamentary and international representatives are expected to attend.

Patricia Scotland congratulated Azerbaijan on its leadership role at COP29 and commended the country's efforts and support for small island states. The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on additional topics of shared interest

By Tamilla Hasanova