The Pre-COP29 conference, themed; “Enhance Ambition and Enable Action,” concluded on Friday at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The event laid the groundwork for the upcoming COP29 climate summit, with leaders underscoring the critical need for action on climate adaptation and finance to mitigate the devastating effects of global warming.
In his opening address at the Climate and Development Ministerial meeting, COP29 President-Designate and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, stressed the urgency of tackling climate change.
He pointed out the importance of mitigation and adaptation efforts, noting that “action on mitigation saves lives tomorrow, but action on adaptation saves lives today.” Even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C, Babayev emphasized that the world would still need to manage severe climate impacts.
Babayev referenced the plight of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recalling discussions from the Pacific Islands Forum earlier this year.
He cited data from the World Meteorological Organization, revealing that in Sub-Saharan Africa, the cost of adaptation is expected to reach $50 billion annually over the next decade.
According to Babayev, the COP29 presidency’s plan focuses on enhancing ambition and enabling action, with climate finance as a key element.
The Minister further called on all Parties to adopt National Adaptation Plans by 2025, noting that stronger climate plans are essential to limiting global warming and managing its impacts.
In a video message, John Salong, Vanuatu’s Minister of Climate Change, highlighted the importance of the discussions held during the Pre-COP29 conference, particularly for accelerating adaptation efforts in small island and least developed states. Similarly, Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and COP29 Lead Negotiator pointed out the political and financial challenges in addressing climate issues, alongside the technical difficulties.
Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, remarked on the pressing nature of climate change, calling it the “biggest challenge humanity is facing.” She emphasized the role of green skills and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in addressing climate-related challenges.
During the event titled “Tracking UAE Consensus – Energy Outcomes – Report Launch,” Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, stressed the need to increase global ambition in the fight against climate change. He advocated for tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, stating that these efforts are central to achieving the 1.5°C target and broader sustainable development goals.
The nexus between climate change and global security was also addressed, with Elshad Iskandarov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador-at-Large, highlighting the links between climate change and interstate conflicts. He stressed the need to address these connections to foster global peace and security.
On the logistical side of COP29, Narmin Jarchalova, Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, provided an overview of the 49 hectares of land allocated for the event, which will be held at the Baku Olympic Stadium.
Jarchalova highlighted the construction of the Blue Zone, where official sessions and press conferences will take place, and the Green Zone, which will serve as a platform for sharing innovative climate solutions.
The discussions at Pre-COP29 reflect a global consensus on the urgency of climate action, with a particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and small island nations. As the world turns its attention to COP29, all eyes will be on how nations commit to enhanced ambitions and climate finance to deliver tangible solutions for both mitigation and adaptation.
By Dare Akogun
