High-Level Meeting on COP29 wraps up in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan

The 29th High-Level Meeting themed “Pathway to COP29: Sustainable and Resilient Future”, a run-up to the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), concluded in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan district on June 21.

The third day of the high-level meeting featured two panel discussions titled “Lessons from Azerbaijan’s own experience” and “Politics, Lobbyists, Youth, women groups, activists and community involvement”, Caliber.Az reports citing the local media.

The “Lessons from Azerbaijan’s own experience” panel discussion moderated by Ismail Serageldin, Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre (NGIC), was addressed by Vahid Hajiyev, Special Representative of the Azerbaijani President in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts, Faig Mutallimov, Head of Ecological Policy Division of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and Joseph Muscat, former Prime Minister of Malta.

Special Representative Vahid Hajiyev described the event as a historic moment to discuss the ongoing efforts in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions with respect to sustainable development. He stressed the importance of Azerbaijan’s progress in addressing climate change and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The second panel discussion on the theme “Politics: Lobbyists, Youth, women groups, activists and community involvement” moderated by Zlatko Lagumdzija, former Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was joined by Leyla Hasanova, Youth Climate Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan, Mehri Huseynli, NGIC Public Relations Manager and SDG Programs Coordinator, Pervana Valiyeva, member of the COP29 Organizing Committee, Manas Chawla, NGIC Young Leader (United Kingdom), Klau Chmielowska, NGIC Young Leader (Poland) and Noel Jackson, NGiC Young Leader (India).

“Youth’s participation in climate adaptation is not just beneficial, it is essential,” the COP29 Youth Climate Champion noted.

The event continued with discussions.

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.