The COP29 Presidency, in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Azerbaijan and supported by PASHA Holding and Trendyol, organized a strategic workshop to enhance media communication on climate issues.
The workshop, designed to empower local media, focused on effective communication strategies, providing participants with insights into the COP29 processes and boosting their capacity to cover the global climate conference.
Key stakeholders kicked off the event with opening remarks that underscored the critical role of media in driving climate awareness and action.
An introductory video titled “What is COP” set the stage, followed by a presentation from Alexander Saier, Head of Communications at the UNFCCC Secretariat, who provided an overview of the UNFCCC process and outlined the organization’s expectations for COP29.
A panel discussion featured prominent figures such as COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev, Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, Chief Operating Officer for COP29 Narmin Jarchalova, and Vladanka Andreeva, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.
The discussion focused on the COP29 Presidency’s priorities for enhancing ambition and enabling concrete climate action, with panelists delving into the necessary steps to turn these goals into tangible outcomes.
Mr. Rafiyev highlighted the constructive approach of states towards the COP29 negotiation process, expressing confidence in achieving successful outcomes.
He acknowledged the complexity of climate finance negotiations but emphasized that the COP29 negotiating team is effectively fostering common positions through both formal and informal platforms.
Ms. Jarchalova assured participants of the ongoing efforts to ensure the smooth execution of COP29, despite the relatively short time frame for its organization.
She provided detailed updates on the preparation process, including activities planned for the Green and Blue Zones at the conference.
Ms. Andreeva emphasized the media’s crucial role in addressing the climate crisis, noting that media narratives can inform, inspire, and drive the urgent action needed to tackle climate challenges.
She called on journalists to amplify the voices of those most affected by climate change, particularly young people, to foster greater awareness and catalyze climate action.
Nigar Arpadarai, Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, spoke on the broader impact of the COP process, noting that its influence extends beyond environmental issues to shape the future economy.
She highlighted the importance of accurate reporting on COP29 themes and the media’s role in fostering public understanding of climate issues.
Jamala Aliyeva, Chief Adviser of the Work with NGOs and Communication Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, presented on “The Role of the Media in Crisis Communication.”
She stressed the importance of effective media collaboration during crises to prevent the spread of misinformation, highlighting the need for accurate information distribution.
Ayan Najaf, Coordination Board Member and Spokesperson for the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, provided insights into the media services and facilities that will be available in the Green and Blue Zones during COP29, along with accreditation procedures.
The workshop was the 19th event in the “29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29” initiative, organized by the United Nations Office in Azerbaijan, and the third in partnership with PASHA Holding under this series.
