Global leaders landing in Baku for landmark COP29 climate conference PHOTO / UPDATED

On November 11, a number of international leaders and dignitaries arrived in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to participate in the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 

Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Kubanychbek Omuraliev was welcomed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Science and Education Chief of Staff, Metin Kerimli, and other officials, Caliber.Az reports.

Similarly, Iraqi President Abdel Latif Jamal Rashid arrived in Baku for COP29. He was greeted at the airport by Minister of Culture Adil Kerimli and other senior officials. 

Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, also landed in Azerbaijan to take part in the conference. She was met by Minister Adil Kerimli and a delegation of other high-ranking officials upon her arrival.

In addition, on November 11, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Maimuna Mohd Sharif, touched down in Azerbaijan to attend COP29, where she was welcomed by Minister Adil Kerimli and a team of officials at the airport.

Liechtenstein’s Prime Minister, Daniel Risch, arrived in Baku for the climate conference as well. Risch was greeted at the airport by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Justice, Farid Ahmadov, and additional key officials.

Finnish President Alexander Stubb arrived in Azerbaijan on the same day to join the COP29 session. He was received at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijan's Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, along with other dignitaries.

Montenegro's President, Jakov Milatović, also arrived in Baku for COP29, with his reception handled by senior officials at the airport.

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown also arrived in Azerbaijan for COP29, welcomed at Baku airport by Azerbaijani Culture Minister Adil Kerimli and other officials.

Kenyan Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi arrived in Azerbaijan on November 11 to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). At the airport in Baku, the guest was met by Azerbaijani Health Minister Teymur Musayev and other officials.

Later, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić arrived in Baku for COP29 and was welcomed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Sahil Babayev, along with other senior officials.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko arrived in Baku for COP29 with a working visit.  According to Bealurs media, during his speech, Lukashenko is expected to outline Belarus's national stance on climate change issues and discuss the actions that the international community must take to address the challenges in this area.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Lukashenko is also expected to hold a series of meetings and discussions with his foreign counterparts.

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini arrived in Azerbaijan to attend COP29. He was met at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Science and Education Minister Emin Amrullayev, Azerbaijani Ambassador to Slovakia Vusal Abdullayev and other officials.

These leaders are set to engage in discussions aimed at addressing the global climate crisis, which will feature prominently at the ongoing COP29 sessions.

The 29th session of COP29 has officially kicked off today, November 11, in Azerbaijan, marking an important international gathering. Azerbaijan was selected to host COP29 during the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11, 2023.

During two weeks, from November 11 through 22, Baku will welcome around 70,000 to 80,000 international guests, including leaders from governments, business and civil society to advance concrete solutions to the record-high global temperatures, and extreme weather events affecting people around the globe.

A key focus of COP29 will be on finance, as trillions of dollars are required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change.

The conference will also be a key moment for countries to present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement, which are due by early 2025. If done right, these plans will limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and double as investment plans advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

By Khagan Isayev