No:077/25, Press release on the launch of the implementation of Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency “Climate and Peace” agenda
27 February 2025 18:08
On 26 February 2025, a Strategic Meeting of the Network of Climate-Vulnerable Countries Affected by Conflict and Humanitarian Needs was held, organized under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
High-level representatives of climate-vulnerable countries, international organizations, and financial institutions participated in the meeting. The main objective of the event is to mobilize climate finance and develop practical solutions to strengthen resilience for the implementation of the Baku Call for Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery, adopted last year at COP29 at the initiative of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship.
At the opening of the two-day strategic discussions, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Yalchin Rafiyev noted that the Baku Call, adopted at the initiative of Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency, as well as the Baku Center for Climate and Peace Action established as a practical implementation mechanism, represent important operational steps to support countries affected by the climate crisis and conflicts. It was emphasized that, within the COP29 Presidency, Azerbaijan aims to implement pilot projects in several vulnerable countries to promote international cooperation and increase assistance to these states.
At the opening session, remarks were also delivered by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates Abdulla Balalaa, the Director General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy Nikolay Mladenov, the Special Envoy of the Government of Italy on climate change Francesco Corvaro, and the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) of the UNFCCC Adonia Ayebare. The speakers praised Azerbaijan’s focus on increasing support for vulnerable countries as a central element of its climate diplomacy and described the Baku Climate and Peace Center, to be hosted by Azerbaijan, as a coordinating platform for large-scale international initiatives in the fields of peace and climate, as well as a clear reflection of the trust gained by the country.
During the meeting, which will continue today, it is planned to adopt the declaration of the Network of Vulnerable Countries and its Roadmap for activities.
