Azerbaijan gears up for COP29: Ecology minister meets UN climate advisor

Mukhtar Babayev, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, has met with Andrew Harper, the Special Adviser on Climate Action for the UN Refugees Agency (UNHCR), to discuss preparations for the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The meeting took place as part of efforts to ensure a successful event scheduled for November 2023 in Baku, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources announced that the sides exchanged views on the necessary activities leading up to COP29, emphasizing Azerbaijan's role as a host for this significant international gathering. The event, which is expected to attract around 70,000 to 80,000 foreign guests, marks a pivotal moment for the country as it steps into the global spotlight.

COP29 will be held under the framework of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, an agreement established at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, aimed at preventing harmful human impacts on the climate system. The Conference of Parties (COP) serves as the highest legislative authority overseeing the implementation of this vital convention, with 198 countries currently participating.

Minister Babayev highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing climate change, emphasizing Azerbaijan's commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. This year's COP29 follows the plenary session of COP28 held in Dubai in December 2022, where the decision to host the next conference in Azerbaijan was made.

As preparations continue, Baku is set to become a hub for climate discussions and international cooperation, reinforcing its position in the global effort to combat climate change.

The Conference of the Parties (COP), is held annually, with the Presidency rotating between the five recognised UN regions.

This year, Azerbaijan has been selected as the Presidency of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), to be hosted in Baku this November. Azerbaijan has a strong track record of hosting international events and has chosen Baku Stadium as the venue for COP29.

To deliver a process that is transparent, impartial and inclusive, the COP29 Presidency has developed a plan based on two mutually reinforcing pillars to enhance ambition and enable action.