Italy's Meloni, IFC chief land in Baku to join global climate efforts at COP29 UPDATED

On November 13, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Azerbaijan to attend the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

The guest was met at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijani Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population Sahil Babayev and other officials, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Besides, the Baku Aiport saw the arrival of International Finance Corporation (IFC) Managing Director Makhtar Diop, who will join the COP29 conference. He was welcomed at the airport by Azerbaijani officials.

Starting on November 11, Azerbaijan has been welcoming presidents, prime ministers and dignitaries of foreign countries, as well as heads of global organisations to participate in the COP29 climate change conference. 

During two weeks, from November 11 through 22, Baku welcomes 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 is 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 is also 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