Azerbaijani deputy FM calls for more international support for landlocked countries’ climate challenges

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister and COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev underscored the urgent need for strengthened international cooperation and increased funding to support landlocked countries (LLDCs) in overcoming climate and economic challenges.

Addressing the session on "Strengthening Climate Resilience and Sustainable Development in Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs): Challenges and Opportunities," Rafiyev emphasized the importance of expanding infrastructure and securing financial resources to help LLDCs address the growing pressures they face from climate change and economic vulnerabilities, Caliber.Az reports.

"Today we are bringing together key stakeholders to discuss how LLDCs can overcome their climate and economic challenges," Rafiyev said, highlighting that Azerbaijan, like many other landlocked countries, faces significant obstacles related to its lack of direct access to ports. This, he explained, leads to economic constraints, high transport costs, delays in the movement of goods, and vulnerability to political and economic instability in neighbouring transit countries.

Rafiyev also pointed out that while LLDCs contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, they are disproportionately affected by climate change. "Climate change poses additional threats to LLDCs despite their minimal contribution to global emissions," he remarked.

"These countries are particularly vulnerable to climate-related disasters such as droughts, floods, glacial melt, and other extreme weather events. Unfortunately, their institutional, technical, and financial capacities are often limited, which makes it difficult for them to take effective action in adapting to and responding to these challenges."

The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that addressing these vulnerabilities requires international support, both in terms of financial resources and the development of sustainable infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change. He also emphasized the importance of fostering greater international cooperation to ensure that LLDCs are not left behind in the global effort to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

By Vafa Guliyeva