Brazilian journalist highlights Azerbaijan’s warm hospitality at COP29 in Baku

In an article for the Brazilian Valor Econômico newspaper, journalist Daniela Chiaretti has described the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku. 

"As the host of COP29, the country is obligated to provide a warm welcome. We can learn from Azerbaijan. Baku, home to about 2.5 million people, has few who speak English, and the Azerbaijani language is a formidable barrier. However, the locals greet the 40,000 COP29 participants with warmth and kindness, offering help whenever possible. At the Baku Olympic Stadium, the conference venue, many volunteers speak English, give directions, and always greet guests with a smile. Despite the poor coffee, expensive food [as is typical at COP events], the cold weather, and the grey skies, participants feel at home," Chiaretti wrote. 

Chiaretti also highlights the challenges posed by Baku’s hotel infrastructure, which was designed for 25,000 guests but has reached its limit during the conference. For world leaders—80 of whom have attended—eight luxury hotels were specially reserved. 

"Azerbaijan was well-prepared. It hired consultants, assessed the task's scale, and quickly made preparations. Azerbaijan knew the COP would begin in less than 12 months and concluded that the peak number of guests would never exceed 23,000," Brazilian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Manuel Montenegro said. 

COP29, which is being held at Baku Stadium from November 11-22, is Azerbaijan’s most significant international event to date and the first time the country has hosted a COP conference. The summit kicked off with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and other key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. One of the central goals of COP29 is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. To further this aim, the COP29 presidency has introduced 14 key initiatives designed to integrate climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

These initiatives cover a broad spectrum of critical areas, including the development of green energy corridors, energy storage solutions, climate resilience strategies, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the promotion of green digital technologies. A flagship proposal of the conference is the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, which is aimed at supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Throughout the event, Azerbaijan has continued to reaffirm its strong commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental protection. The unanimous decision to select Azerbaijan as the host for COP29 reflects the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate-related issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s central role in global climate efforts, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Naila Huseynova