COP29 President calls for unity to drive global climate action

The opportunities to achieve global climate goals are vast, but solidarity is essential, stated Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources.

During the event titled “Driving Transformative Climate Action: Shifting the Focus from Financial Inputs to Impact and MDBs' Catalytic Effect” Babayev emphasised the importance of engaging all parties involved in COP29 in global climate action, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“The climate crisis is existential. One of our primary goals is to secure climate financing to save lives. In previous discussions, we have heard calls to save both nature and humanity. We believe that engaging the parties participating in the 29th session of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku is crucial to advancing global climate efforts," he noted

Babayev remarked that the participants were actively engaged in addressing the challenge, highlighting the extensive opportunities available to achieve their objectives and emphasizing the need for increased contributions and greater solidarity in this area.

In turn, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister and chief COP29 negotiator, Yalchin Rafiev, emphasises that climate financing is crucial for achieving the Paris Agreement's targets, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

“The increasing frequency of climate disasters underscores the urgency of climate action. COP29 is our chance to demonstrate to the world our ability to unite against the climate crisis,” Rafiev stated.

Rafiev further noted that the COP29 presidency views reforms of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) as essential for mobilising greater volumes of long-term, accessible resources. “The main priority in the COP29 negotiations is to agree on a New Collective Quantified Goal  (NCQG) for climate finance that reflects the urgency and scale of the issue, as well as the needs and priorities of developing countries,” he added.

Emphasising the role of MDBs, Rafiev said, “Today, Multilateral Development Banks remain key partners in securing larger volumes of accessible, long-term resources. In this context, I must stress the importance of MDBs sending the right signals to the world. They play a vital role in attracting private sector investment.”

Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his gratitude for the invitation to attend COP29 in Baku. Infantino shared his thoughts on Instagram: “FIFA, as an international organisation, takes environmental and climate protection seriously. I am delighted that all participants of the event share a common goal – ensuring a future for our children. FIFA will continue to actively contribute to tackling the significant global challenge of climate change. I extend my thanks to President Ilham Aliyev, AFFA, and the people of Azerbaijan.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev