Countdown to COP29: 3,000 volunteers ready for action As final training phase concludes

The final stage of the three-month extended training programme for volunteers at COP29 has concluded as part of preparations for the global climate conference, set to take place in Baku from November 11 to 12.

According to COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, the final phase of volunteer training saw the participation of 1,200 individuals, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

In total, 3,000 individuals have been selected to volunteer at COP29.

During the opening of the event, COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev spoke about the significance of the upcoming conference, emphasising the crucial role of youth and volunteers in the process. He expressed confidence that the volunteers would successfully carry out the tasks assigned to them.

Narmin Jarchalova, Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company highlighted that the success of COP29 is, in part, reliant on the efforts of volunteers.

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Simon Stiell congratulated the COP29 volunteers via an online meeting, wishing them success in participating in this globally significant event. 

A video message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres was also shown, offering his support and best wishes to the volunteers of COP29.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, 2024. This decision was made at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023.

The conference aims to accelerate global efforts to address the climate crisis, with around 70,000 to 80,000 international guests expected, including government leaders, business figures, and civil society representatives.

Key discussions will focus on climate finance, with trillions of dollars needed to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. COP29 will also see countries present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, which are due by early 2025, aiming to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

By Aghakazim Guliyev