Azerbaijan opens COP29 Academy to train youth in climate action

The opening ceremony of the COP29 Academy, a new initiative aimed at empowering youth to actively participate in the fight against climate change, has been held in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku.

The academy has been established to provide young people with valuable experience in climate action and to train the next generation of professionals in organising large-scale global events, Caliber.Az reports citing the local media.

The ceremony saw the announcement of the 29 successful candidates selected from a pool of 360 applicants. These young individuals were chosen based on their performance in tests and competitions, reflecting their commitment and potential in the field of climate change and event management.

COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev and Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company Narmin Jarchalova were present at the event. Both leaders emphasised the importance of youth engagement in addressing climate issues and organising international conferences like COP29.

The COP29 Academy will offer participants a range of opportunities, including workshops, mentorship, and involvement in the upcoming COP29 conference, which will be held from November 11-22, 2024. The academy is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of young people to contribute to climate solutions and manage international events effectively.

Baku will host the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

A group of Eastern European countries has chosen Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to host COP29 climate talks next year.

Earlier, Bulgaria withdrew its candidacy to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in favour of Azerbaijan.

Moreover, Baku and Yerevan agreed to support each other at some international venues. In a joint statement, Armenia said it would support Azerbaijan's bid to host the COP29 summit.

The conference is being held in rotation by five UN regional groups, and Eastern Europe will take part next year.