COP29 envoy presses donors to deliver $300-billion climate finance pledge by 2035

Azerbaijani MP Nigar Arpadarai spoke at the United Nations’ Second Climate Week of 2025 (CW2) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she shared Azerbaijan’s insights gained from hosting the COP29 and outlining the progress made on the commitments adopted at the conference.

Arpadarai, who also serves as the High-Level Climate Champion for COP29, spoke during the event's opening ceremony, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

She emphasised the need to implement the historic decisions made in Baku back in 2024 to advance the global climate agenda.

According to her, the outcomes of COP29 take on a special importance considering the current context that is marked by distrust, conflicts, and divisions among nations. The decisions adopted in Baku are based on the principle of fairness and aim to support the most vulnerable countries, Arpadarai recalled, with limited capacity to respond to the climate crisis.

“Our commitments to climate action must remain unwavering, and the promises already made must be fulfilled in a way that ensures real progress toward our shared goals. We must lead by example, demonstrating how small and large nations can effectively cooperate under clear and fair rules,” the representative of the COP29 Presidency urged.

She also emphasized that, amid a shifting global landscape shaped by demographic changes, trade tensions, and a renewed arms race, leaders must address the transformative impact of emerging technologies.

“In particular, the revolution in artificial intelligence brings both tremendous opportunities and serious risks. We must ensure that AI becomes a tool for empowerment, providing broader access for all countries, rather than turning into an instrument of digital imperialism,” she told the audience.

“I firmly believe that technological development is key to revitalizing the green agenda. Our focus should be on innovation driven by human potential and new economic opportunities, rather than solely relying on rules and restrictions. The success of the COP process depends not only on time and financing but also on a fair and transparent approach by all parties.

In this context, the adoption of the Baku Financial Goal was a major milestone. This goal envisions mobilizing at least $300 billion annually by 2035 for developing countries and scaling up climate finance to $1.3 trillion per year.

All states must demonstrate the highest level of ambition in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). However, new NDCs must not become mere declarations—they should contain concrete and achievable targets that truly contribute to fulfilling the objectives of the Paris Agreement,” the Azerbaijani COP representative said.

In addition to the changes mentioned above, COP29 participants reached agreements on revisions to Articles 6.2, 6.4, and 6.8, as well as on gender issues, adaptation measures, emissions reduction, and the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund, which will begin disbursing resources later this year.

MP Arpadarai stressed that donor countries are obligated to honour the commitments they made in Baku and outline how they will contribute to mobilising $300 billion by 2035.

As part of the Climate Week in Ethiopia, the COP29 Presidency will also host a high-level event dedicated to addressing the particular needs of the African continent. That meeting will take place on September 6 and will be organised in line with the Presidency’s commitment to drawing attention to the challenges facing African nations.

The CW2 will continue until September 6 under the theme “Dialogues for Ambition and Implementation.” Another key event on climate action will be hosted in Addis Ababa immediately afterwards, namely the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) which will be held from September 8-10.

By Nazrin Sadigova