The COP29 Presidency, under the leadership of President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev, hosted a High-Level Dialogue on Climate Transparency on September 3 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The event, aimed at bolstering global cooperation on climate transparency, was designed to build confidence among Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and assist in the preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs).
The Dialogue drew participation from over 120 countries and international organisations, with both in-person and online attendance. Notable participants included ministers and deputy ministers from countries such as Türkiye, Uzbekistan, Japan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Kyrgyzstan, alongside the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC and the Deputy to the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Chief negotiators on climate change, as well as representatives from the European Union, Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, also took part in the discussions.
In his opening remarks, Mukhtar Babayev highlighted the critical need for international collaboration to combat climate change.
He emphasized the significance of the Biennial Transparency Reports, which will be presented for the first time this year.
Babayev noted that these reports are essential for assessing the progress made in fulfilling commitments under the Paris Agreement and strengthening global climate action.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Baku Climate Global Transparency Platform (BTP). Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29 Chief Negotiator, explained that the platform’s primary goal is to enhance cooperation on climate transparency at a global level.
It aims to foster confidence among Parties, particularly in supporting developing countries in producing their BTRs. The platform is expected to boost participation in the Enhanced Transparency Framework and advance transparency efforts beyond COP29.
In addition to launching the platform, the COP29 Presidency introduced its High-Level Co-Pairs, appointed to further engage political leaders on the issue of climate transparency.
Ministers and senior officials in attendance expressed strong support for Azerbaijan’s leadership in promoting transparency and strengthening global climate action. They praised the Baku Global Transparency Platform as a key initiative in building trust and advancing the global climate agenda.
The High-Level Dialogue marks a significant step towards ensuring that all Parties are adequately prepared to meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement, with transparency playing a central role in driving meaningful climate action.
By Dare Akogun
