Turkic nations sign agreement to promote climate-resilient smart villages During COP29 conference

During the COP29 conference, a Ministerial Session on Climate-Resilient Smart Villages led to the creation of a Forum on Climate-Resilient Villages by the member states of the Turkic Council.

The parties involved signed an agreement to formalise this initiative, Caliber.Az reports per local media. The document aims to create opportunities for the exchange of experiences on climate adaptation across the Turkic region.

It also focuses on assessing climate-related challenges and strengthening rural communities’ capacities to improve their resilience to climate change.

At the event, the participants shared best practices for rural development, as well as initiatives related to "smart villages" and sustainable rural projects. This collaboration underscores the commitment of the Turkic states to foster sustainable, climate-resilient communities in rural areas.

To recap, COP29, being held at Baku Stadium from November 11 to 22, marks Azerbaijan’s first time hosting a COP conference and is the country’s largest international event to date. The summit opened with the signing of a Host Country Agreement and key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UNFCCC.

A key focus of COP29 is establishing a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. The presidency introduced 14 initiatives aimed at integrating climate action with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include initiatives on green energy corridors, climate resilience, clean hydrogen, and green digital technologies.

The conference proposed the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund to support global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Azerbaijan reaffirmed its commitment to climate action, with President Ilham Aliyev emphasizing the nation’s central role in global climate efforts and sustainable development. The unanimous selection of Azerbaijan as the host reflects international confidence in its leadership on climate issues.

By Aghakazim Guliyev