UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlines expectations for COP29 in Baku

During a meeting in Astana under the "SCO plus" format, UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the upcoming COP29 to be held in Baku this year.

He emphasized the critical need for proactive measures against global climate change, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

Guterres underscored two key priorities for COP29. Firstly, he called for a comprehensive strategy on financial matters, urging increased funding commitments to combat climate change effectively.

Secondly, he highlighted the importance of addressing the risks associated with artificial intelligence, stressing the necessity for collaboration among technology companies and civil society organizations.

The Secretary-General advocated for global initiatives such as establishing a unified market and a cohesive internet framework, emphasizing the significance of a global digital compact to address these challenges comprehensively.

In November, Azerbaijan will host COP29, a decision finalized during the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11, 2023. Baku is set to become the global focal point, expecting to welcome approximately 70,000 to 80,000 international guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to mitigate human interference with the climate system. The Conference of the Parties (COP), comprising 198 member countries, serves as the supreme body overseeing the implementation of the UNFCCC. Unless agreed otherwise, COP meetings are held annually, with the inaugural event occurring in March 1995 in Berlin and the secretariat based in Bonn.