International dignitaries arrive in Azerbaijan for COP29 climate summit

Azerbaijan welcomed several international leaders and officials this week as they arrived in the country to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of China, arrived on November 12 and was greeted at Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Hidayat Abdullayev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population, alongside other officials.

On November 11, Geraldo Alckmin, Vice President of Brazil, also arrived in Azerbaijan. He was welcomed by Teymur Musayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health, and Rashad Novruz, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Brazil, along with other officials.

Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, touched down in Azerbaijan on November 12. He was welcomed by Hasan Hasanli, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Science and Education, along with other dignitaries.

In a similar arrival, Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, also came to participate in COP29 and was received at the airport by Hidayat Abdullayev, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, and other officials.

Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, Vice President of Ivory Coast, arrived in Azerbaijan on November 11. He was greeted by Farid Gayibov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, and other dignitaries.

Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo, arrived on November 11, where he was welcomed by Teymur Musayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Health, and other officials.

On November 11, Jeremiah Koung, Vice President of Liberia, also arrived in the country to attend COP29. He was welcomed by Majnun Mammadov, Azerbaijan's Minister of Agriculture, alongside other dignitaries.

Russell Mmiso Dlamini, Prime Minister of Eswatini, also arrived on November 11 and was greeted by Majnun Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture, and other officials.

Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, arrived on November 12 and was welcomed by Hidayat Abdullayev, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, and other officials.

Finally, Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni Hu’akavameiliku, Prime Minister of Tonga, arrived on November 12. He was welcomed by Hasan Hasanli, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Science and Education, and other officials.

These leaders join representatives from around the world for the critical climate change conference, highlighting Azerbaijan's growing role as a key host for international diplomatic events.

On November 11, the opening ceremony of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) took place in Baku. The conference, which will run until November 22, is expected to be a landmark event in the global fight against climate change, drawing attention from around the world.

One of the most anticipated parts of the conference is the High-Level Segment of the Climate Action Summit, which will take place on November 12-13. During this segment, around 80 heads of state and government from countries party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will address the audience, sharing their countries' commitments and strategies for addressing climate change.

The speeches by world leaders will continue throughout November 13, setting the stage for further discussions on policies, solutions, and collaboration in the fight against climate change. COP29 is seen as a critical opportunity for nations to reaffirm their climate goals and strengthen international cooperation.