Global figures gather in Baku for COP29 climate talks

President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Umaru Sissoco Embaló, arrived in Azerbaijan on 10 November to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Upon arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, President Embaló was received by Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musayev and other officials, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Mohammed Abdulsalam, also arrived in Azerbaijan on 10 November to participate in COP29. He was welcomed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Metin Kerimli, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, along with other dignitaries.

Additionally, the Prime Minister of Suriname, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, and world-renowned yogi Sadhguru arrived in Baku for the climate conference.

Azerbaijan was unanimously selected to host COP29 during the COP28 plenary session in December 2023, with strong backing from Eastern European nations. The conference is anticipated to draw approximately 80,000 attendees, including top state and government officials from across the globe.

In preparation for COP29, Azerbaijan has declared 2024 as the "Green World Solidarity Year" to promote global collaboration in tackling the climate crisis. The conference will be guided by two primary objectives: raising ambition and enabling action. This will involve encouraging transparent national climate plans and mobilizing financial resources to achieve concrete climate goals, such as reducing emissions and addressing climate change impacts.

Azerbaijan has also launched a $1 billion Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF), with contributions coming from fossil fuel-producing countries and corporations. Half of the fund will support climate projects in developing countries, emphasizing clean energy, energy efficiency, and strengthening the resilience of vulnerable populations.

As part of its comprehensive peace-building initiatives, the COP29 Presidency has introduced the “COP Truce Appeal,” which seeks to promote global peace and reconciliation within the framework of climate action.

President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan underscored the importance of hosting COP29, emphasizing the opportunity to unify national and international efforts in combating the pressing challenges of climate change. Azerbaijan has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and 40% by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement.

By Tamilla Hasanova