UN climate champion highlights private sector's role in achieving COP29 goals

The private sector is actively participating in the ongoing COP29 climate conference in Baku, said Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan.

She made the remarks while talking to journalists at the event dubbed “COP29 Climate Platform for Business, Investment and Philanthropy” organised jointly with the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO), Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Arpadarai expressed her satisfaction with the participation of the private sector in the process: “A few years ago, COP processes were smaller in scale. That is, negotiations were mainly between governments. The private sector was not actively involved. However, the involvement of the private sector in this process is necessary. Because it is the private sector that will fulfil the commitments made by governments. Every year we see more and more active involvement of the private sector in the implementation of COP goals,” she said.

Addressing the event, AZPROMO Executive Director Yusif Abdullayev said that Azerbaijan seeks not just to demonstrate its development, but to facilitate dialogue, develop cooperation and stimulate innovative solutions to climate change.

He noted that bringing together leaders and experts from around the world in Azerbaijan emphasises a shared commitment to addressing urgent climate challenges and advancing sustainable development.

“We must collectively shape a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come. Our aim is to emphasise the important role of finance in the global energy transition, which is in line with the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.

By Khagan Isayev