UN secretary-general: COP29 marks important step forward

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that the agreement reached at COP29 lays the foundation for further steps in the fight against climate change.

He noted that closing COP29 marks the end of a challenging year, characterised by record temperatures and climate disasters, while emissions continue rising. The critical need for financing to support developing countries burdened by debt, climate shocks, and delays in transitioning to renewable energy sources, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Guterres said that the agreement reached at COP29 was crucial for maintaining the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Countries have fulfilled the task.

He expressed hope for more ambitious outcomes in financing and mitigation, but this agreement provides a solid foundation for further action. 

The secretary-general emphasised the importance of turning promises into real actions without delay. Commitments must quickly transform into tangible funds. All countries must join forces to achieve the new financing target.

Guterres also highlighted key achievements of COP29, including progress in reducing emissions, accelerating the energy transition, and aligning approaches to carbon markets. 

He urged countries, particularly from the G20 group, to present new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that align with the 1.5°C target well before COP30.

He said that effective debt reduction measures, increased concessional financing, simplified access to funds, and a significant strengthening of multilateral development banks through their proper recapitalisation are key priorities for the future. 

In conclusion, Guterres expressed his gratitude to the government of Azerbaijan and COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev for their outstanding leadership, as well as to Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Simon Stiell and the UN team for their significant contributions.

He added that COP29 has been an important step forward. Now, it is up to everybody to turn the agreements reached into success.

Under Azerbaijan's leadership at COP29, a historic agreement has been reached on implementing carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

This landmark decision, finalised at the plenary session, marks a breakthrough in negotiations that have spanned several years.

This achievement was a top priority for Azerbaijan's COP29 presidency, which led intensive technical and political negotiations to resolve the final unresolved aspect of the Paris Agreement. 

By Naila Huseynova