VP: COP29 success essential for progress at COP30 in Brazil

Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin has stressed the need to pave the way for fulfilling historic climate commitments.

Alckmin made these remarks at the Summit of World Leaders of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“Here in Baku, we continue the diplomatic efforts that began in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro with the signing of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Every step we take is progress towards achieving our shared environmental goals,” Alckmin noted.

The vice president emphasised that the new collective quantitative target must be ambitious to make the 1.5°C goal achievable.

He added, “In Baku, we must finalize negotiations on the carbon market and pave the way for the realization of the historic commitments made during last year’s COP28 in Dubai.” 

Alckmin noted that Brazil is a recognized leader in food security and fully understands that there is no future without sustainable development.

“Brazil has set a goal to reduce emissions by 67 per cent by 2035 compared to 2005. This is undoubtedly an ambitious target, but it is achievable. However, to reach it, we must work hard,” he emphasised. 

He also pointed out that the success of COP29 is key to the success of COP30, which Brazil will host next year.

“The success of these conferences forms the foundation for future international efforts in the fight against climate change. If we do not achieve results today, it will cost us much in the future,” the vice president added.

The Summit of World Leaders within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has started in Baku. On November 11, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) officially kicked off in Baku, marking one of the most significant and prestigious global events. COP29, which is being held at the Baku Stadium from November 11 to 22, is Azerbaijan's largest event to date and the first of its kind in the region.

A "Host Country Agreement" and other key documents were signed between the Azerbaijani government and the Secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) related to climate finance. The COP29 presidency has put forward 14 initiatives that encompass the interlinkage between climate action and sustainable development goals. These include green energy corridors, green energy storage, climate resilience harmony, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and actions in the field of green digital technologies, among other topics. 

One of the proposed initiatives is the establishment of a Climate Finance Action Fund. Beyond prioritising climate finance, which brings everyone together, this initiative will also contribute to meeting the 1.5°C commitment. Azerbaijan attaches great importance to environmental protection and addressing the impacts of climate change, actively working in this direction. The country’s unanimous election as the host of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties is a clear testament to this. As noted by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, this is a sign of great respect and trust from the international community towards Azerbaijan.

By Naila Huseynova