COP29 - significant step for Azerbaijan, says UK’s professor

Professor at UK's Loughborough University and Director of The Climate Compatible Growth Programme Mark Howells has expressed joy that Azerbaijan will be hosting the COP event. 

“I am very pleased to learn that Azerbaijan will be hosting the next COP event. This is a significant step that requires a lot of commitment, and it is clear that Azerbaijan has the potential needed to take on this responsibility,” Howells told Azertag, Caliber.Az reports.  

He underscored that being part of the global effort to tackle climate change is extremely important.  

“It’s crucial for us to be part of this global effort to tackle climate change. Azerbaijan is an important global citizen, and I am very much looking forward to connecting with many thought leaders, government representatives, and industry professionals as we chart a path into the future. This is a significant step for Azerbaijan and requires a serious commitment; it is clear that Azerbaijan has the potential to take on this responsibility. I wish Azerbaijan success. I am also very happy to have the chance to participate in COP,” he said.

He described Loughborough University as the home of The Climate Compatible Growth Programme, which is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the British Government.  

“It is a highly important international programme, and we are extremely keen to engage with international partners. The challenges of climate change cannot be addressed by individuals or individual countries alone. We each bring different experiences, ideas, and innovations to the table, so international cooperation is essential. COP creates a really important platform for those sorts of discussions to take place. So I am very much looking forward to going to COP and very much looking forward to seeing what is enabled by Azerbaijan's leadership,” he added.  

The international seminar titled "The Role of International Collaborations in Meeting Net Zero Targets" has been held at Loughborough University in the UK this week. The event was supported by the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Baku will host the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

A group of Eastern European countries has chosen Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, to host COP29 climate talks next year.

Earlier, Bulgaria withdrew its candidacy to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in favour of Azerbaijan.

Moreover, Baku and Yerevan agreed to support each other at some international venues. In a joint statement, Armenia said it would support Azerbaijan's bid to host the COP29 summit.

The conference is being held in rotation by five UN regional groups, and Eastern Europe will take part next year.