Azerbaijan launches Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform as COP29 gears up

On September 3, 2024, Azerbaijan will unveil the Baku Global Platform for Climate Transparency, designed to foster mutual trust in climate action.

This announcement was made by COP29 Chief Negotiator and Deputy Foreign Minister Yalcin Rafiyev at the high-level dialogue titled “Enhancing Transparency on Climate Issues through Universal Participation in the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF)”, Caliber.Az reports.

Rafiyev emphasized the significance of transparency in climate discussions, noting that the launch of this platform is a key initiative under Azerbaijan’s presidency of COP29. He highlighted that transparency remains a central focus for the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

In support of Azerbaijan's efforts, Uzbek Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change Aziz Abdukhakimov expressed respect for Baku's preparations for COP29.

Speaking at the same high-level dialogue, Abdukhakimov noted that hosting COP29 in Baku is crucial for Central Asian politics. He remarked, “The fact that COP29 will be held in Baku is significant not only for Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus but also for Central Asia, as it provides an opportunity for regional countries to present their climate action plans and discuss their efforts to combat global climate change.”

COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, addressing the meeting, highlighted the existential risk posed by rising sea levels, which have increased at twice the previous rate over the past decade. He stressed, “The effects of climate change are becoming more frequent. Therefore, it is essential that we maximize our climate actions under the Paris Agreement to ensure the success of COP29. Transparency is a crucial component of this effort”.