Geneva: COP29 and ITU explore digital pathways for sustainable climate transformation PHOTO

The COP29 Presidency and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) held a high-level session in Geneva titled "From Baku to Belém: COP29 and COP30," marking an important milestone in the global movement towards sustainable digital transformation.

The session was dedicated to the Declaration on Green Digital Action (GDA), which has been endorsed by nearly 2,000 stakeholders, including 83 countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The declaration was presented during the first-ever Digitalization Day at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku. During the session, participants also explored measures for preparing for COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

Key speakers at the session included the UN High-Level Climate Leader at COP29, Nigyar Arpadarai; the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other economic organizations based in Geneva, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota; ITU Deputy Secretary-General Thomas Lamanaukas; ITU’s Head of Strategic and Planning Vision, Cătălin Marinescu; co-chair of the COP29 Action Agenda Group, Elmar Mammadov; COP29 delegation member Lala Hikmat; and Coordinator for Scientific, Technological, and Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Pedro Ivo Ferraz da Silva.

Discussions focused on the progress made under the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Actions in implementing digital solutions into climate strategies, exploring pathways for transitioning to both digital and low-emission technologies, cross-sectoral cooperation, including synergies with the COP29 Declaration on Multi-Sectoral Pathways for Action (MAP) for sustainable and healthy cities, technological innovations, and digital inclusivity. The session also involved aligning the GDA with the work of the ITU and the Climate Technology Center and Network (CTCN) in the UNFCCC. It was noted that the COP29 GDA Declaration has been approved by nearly 2,000 stakeholders, including governments of 83 countries.

The event underscored the importance of aligning digital transitions with global climate action goals and emphasized the continuity and complementarity between the COP presidencies on Green Digital Actions, officially launched as an initiative at the first-ever high-level roundtable on GDA at COP29. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A session, fostering open dialogue and strengthening the global momentum for green digital transformation ahead of COP30.

The COP29 GDA Declaration remains open for endorsement. Parties and non-Parties interested in expressing support can send a verbal note or official letter by email to the COP29 Presidency at digitalisation@cop29.az, confirming their approval.

By Khagan Isayev