The UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, begins today in Baku, Azerbaijan. As climate-related impacts increasingly drive up human and economic costs worldwide, every COP represents a critical opportunity for global progress, and COP29 is no different.
Achieving significant outcomes in Baku is essential. Without concerted efforts by all nations to reduce emissions and enhance resilience in global supply chains, unchecked global warming will threaten the survival of every economy, including those of the G20, and leave no household untouched by its severe inflationary consequences.
In solidarity with the green world – Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan in the UK, writes for Chamber UK about his country’s vision for COP29.
This exclusive op-ed is featured in the latest edition of the Chamber UK Journal. This special ‘Net Zero and Sustainability’ edition includes a dedicated supplement ahead of COP29. It highlights insights from ambassadors and thought leaders, exploring how global partnerships are advancing the fight against climate change.
Buy a copy of the print journal here, or click below to subscribe to our newsletter to get online access. If you are part of an Embassy team and would like to discuss potential areas of collaboration and to gather insights for our next publication, please email gabby.rapp@chamberuk.com to book in a call.
Elin Suleymanov
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UKAzerbaijan is committed to delivering a transparent, impartial, inclusive, and party-driven COP29 that leaves no one behind and aims to advance across all climate pillars.
Our vision is based on two parallel pillars to enhance ambition and enable action by agreeing on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal on climate finance as our top priority. Encouraging all Parties to come up with 1.5C-aligned Nationally Determined Contributions will also be among key priorities.
We will use our unique multilateral diplomacy experience to act as a bridge between the developed and developing nations, with the aim of achieving a fair and ambitious outcome at COP29.
Delivering for the Most Vulnerable – SIDS
Azerbaijan seeks to deliver for small island developing states (SIDS)[1] as these countries are most negatively impacted by climate change. To ensure their voices are heard in global climate dialogue, Azerbaijan will fund the SIDS’s participation at COP29 and provide separate pavilions for SIDS and the Commonwealth countries free of charge. Azerbaijan also partners with the Commonwealth[2] to finance and support climate action across the Commonwealth SIDS.
Closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, COP29 Presidency’s 14 Action Agenda[3] items pay particular attention to the most vulnerable countries and groups.
UK as the Staunch Supporter of COP29
As Azerbaijan’s long-time partner and the leading actor in climate action, the UK has been explicit, from the very first days, about its willingness to support Azerbaijan to ensure COP29’s success. While this commitment was reiterated by Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in his key-note speech at the flagship COP29 reception hosted at the Embassy of Azerbaijan on July 25, Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate, was welcomed by King Charles at Clarence House the next day.[4]
As I write this (September 2024), the first ever Baku Climate Action Week is taking place in Baku in partnership with London Climate Action Week.
Embedding climate action into its national development plans, Azerbaijan leads by example by investing heavily in green transition and submitting a 1.5C-aligned NDC.
[1] https://cop29.az/en/news/cop29-presidency-announces-funding-for-sids-at-un-climate-conference
[2] https://thecommonwealth.org/news/commonwealth-secretariat-and-government-azerbaijan-sign-joint-declaration-and-mou
[3] https://cop29.az/en/pages/cop29-presidency-action-agenda-letter
[4] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-secretary-convenes-cop-leaders-past-present-and-future-to-offer-uk-support-and-leadership-in-responding-to-the-climate-crisis
Final Thought
As COP29 begins in Baku, it represents an important opportunity for nations to come together and address the pressing challenges of climate change. Azerbaijan’s approach, emphasising inclusivity and collaboration, aims to ensure that the voices of all nations, particularly those most vulnerable, are heard and considered.
By fostering global partnerships and prioritising practical solutions, COP29 can help advance meaningful progress on climate finance, emission reductions, and resilience building. The outcomes of this conference will play a significant role in shaping the global response to climate change, making it a moment for focused action and collective commitment.
To learn more about how the UK can support Azerbaijan in Climate Leadership at COP29, please click here.