Azerbaijani envoy highlights climate action initiatives at Diplomatic Week in Bahamas COP29 in Focus

As part of "Diplomatic Week" organized by the Foreign Ministry of the Bahamas in the city of Grand Bahama, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Cuba Ruslan Rzayev discussed COP29 during a panel discussion on the "Sustainable Development Agenda for Climate-Vulnerable States."

The embassy reported that the ambassador provided information on Azerbaijan’s preparations for COP29 and activities under its presidency, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Rzayev noted that the country’s vision is based on two pillars: raising ambitions and driving action. 

He emphasized the crucial role of financing as one of the key tools to ensure countries' commitment to national plans, transparency, translating ambitions into action, reducing emissions, adapting to climate change, and addressing damages.

Rzayev highlighted that Azerbaijan, as COP29 president, listens to all stakeholders, collaborates with them, holds broad discussions, and seeks to hear every voice, taking their views into account to achieve inclusive outcomes through common solutions.

The diplomat also spoke about the presidency's efforts regarding Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are vulnerable to climate change, noting that Azerbaijan sees it as a moral duty to support these states both materially and politically, including within the Commonwealth of Nations framework.

During his speech, the ambassador also informed about the global initiatives announced within the framework of the Action Agenda of the Azerbaijan Presidency at COP29, noting that the goal of these initiatives is to advance climate action, raise ambitions and stimulate action on climate change. The panel discussion continued with a question and answer session.

To recap, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan on November 11-22. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11, 2023.

COP29 is a pivotal opportunity to accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis. During two weeks, Baku will welcome around 70,000 to 80,000 international guests, including leaders from governments, business and civil society to advance concrete solutions to the record-high global temperatures, and extreme weather events affecting people around the globe.

By Khagan Isayev