UN chief to lead call for climate action at COP29 opening in Baku

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will arrive in Baku this weekend ahead of his address at the opening of COP29, according to Deputy Spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay.

Guterres will use his speech at the opening ceremony to urge world leaders to take stronger actions to curb the production and consumption of fossil fuels and to work towards a fair and effective climate agreement, she told local media, as per Caliber.Az.

He will advocate for the creation of a carbon market and fundamental reforms in climate finance to accelerate global efforts in combating climate change. Furthermore, Guterres will call on member states to submit their national contributions to help achieve the critical 1.5-degree Celsius target.

After the opening, the Secretary-General will attend the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 15 before returning to Baku for the final part of COP29.

Azerbaijan was unanimously selected to host COP29 during the COP28 plenary session in December 2023, after receiving broad support from Eastern European countries. The conference is expected to attract around 80,000 participants, including high-level state and government officials from around the world.

In the lead-up to COP29, Azerbaijan has declared 2024 as the "Green World Solidarity Year," aiming to foster global cooperation to address the climate crisis. The conference's strategy is based on two key pillars: raising ambition and enabling action, with a focus on transparent national climate plans and mobilizing finance to turn ambitious climate goals into tangible outcomes. These include efforts to reduce emissions and address the damage caused by climate change.

Azerbaijan has also launched a $1 billion Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF), with contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies. Half of the fund will be directed towards climate projects in developing nations, focusing on clean energy, energy efficiency, and bolstering the resilience of vulnerable communities.

As part of its broader peace-building efforts, the COP29 Presidency has introduced the “COP Truce Appeal,” promoting global peace and reconciliation in the context of climate action.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the significance of hosting COP29, which offers an opportunity to unite both national and international efforts to address the severe impacts of climate change. Azerbaijan has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and 40% by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.

By Tamilla Hasanova