… pledges to support poorest countries in their climate efforts
… UK ready to support Azerbaijan in promoting new, innovative, environmentally friendly industries
The Summit’s Chief Executive, Elnur Soltanov, said in an interview with EFE, a leading Spanish news agency that Climate financing will be the focus of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).
During the interview with EFE, Soltanov stressed the importance of advancing “collectively on all pillars of the Paris Agreement,” with climate financing being central. The NCQG was agreed upon in 2015 but needs to be defined by 2025 to support the poorest countries in their climate change efforts.
With just three months until the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) kicks off in Baku, Azerbaijan, Elnur Soltanov emphasized that the primary goal of the COP29 Presidency is to establish a clear and ambitious “New Collective Quantified Goal” (NCQG) for climate financing, addressing the needs of all parties, EnviroNews reports.
Soltanov’s strategy includes seeking political direction to resolve disagreements and accelerate summit preparations through meetings among the parties.
“We must focus on high-level discussions and intensify political engagement. We appreciate the time and commitment of our new ministerial peers in the NCQG to support us,” he told EFE.
Azerbaijan, like the United Arab Emirates, which hosted COP28, is an oil and gas producer, and the choice of venue has again drawn criticism from several climate organisations.
Conversely, Soltanov argued for an inclusive process where all parties collaborate, stating, “We do not believe anyone, especially global energy experts, should be excluded.”
He also pointed out that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognises a role for hydrocarbons in the global economy in its temperature and zero-carbon emissions calculations.
Referencing the UAE consensus from COP28, which emphasised the need for a just and orderly transition, Soltanov noted that all countries start from different points, and the requirements to decarbonise, build a renewable system, and ensure a just transition will differ according to national circumstances.
Optimistic about COP29, which runs from November 11 to 22, Soltanov views it as a litmus test for global cooperation and climate action. “Azerbaijan will spare no effort to unite the parties,” he said, emphasising the country’s commitment to hosting COP29 inclusively and transparently, aligned with the Convention and the Paris Agreement.
To advance this commitment, Azerbaijan will present two documents before COP29: a Transparency Report and the “Nationally Determined Contribution” (NDC), aligning the country with efforts to curb climate change. Soltanov, a former Deputy Minister of Energy, emphasised the need for shared and ambitious efforts, warning that “the margin for action is shrinking.”
He concluded: “There is still time to address the climate crisis effectively with immediate and sustained efforts. We need everyone to commit in good faith to act quickly.”
Furthermore, the British Consul General in Istanbul and Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Kenan Poleo, has said, the UK is ready to partner with Azerbaijan to drive forward clean growth technologies ahead of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in Baku in November 2024.
Poleo noted that the UK business community is ready to support Azerbaijan in promoting new, innovative and environmentally friendly industries.
He said the UK and Azerbaijan have been closely cooperating in the energy sector for the past 30 years, but it is time to take this cooperation to the next level.
Meanwhile, ADA University in Baku has hosted the opening ceremony of the COP29 Climate Change Summer Camp for young teachers.
The opening ceremony, moderated by ADA University’s Vice-Rector, Fariz Ismayilzada, brought together a distinguished panel of speakers, including, Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President-designate; Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister and Lead Negotiator of COP29; Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion; Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Resident Representative a.i.; Leyla Hasanova, UN Youth Climate Champion; and Saja Farooq Abdullah, UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, also addressed the participants through video link.
The summer camp, running until August 9, 2024, brings together an impressive cohort of 75 young teachers, with 54 representing various countries and 21 from Azerbaijan. These diverse groups are engaging in a series of intensive training sessions focused on climate change and the COP process.
This initiative is a crucial step towards achieving the objectives set for COP29. By educating young teachers, the programme aims to create a ripple effect, spreading climate awareness through classrooms across the globe. The camp will equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate climate education into their curricula effectively.
The summer camp is a result of collaboration between various national and international organisations, including, the Ministries of Ecology and Natural Resources, Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan, UNDP and UNICEF offices in Azerbaijan, ADA University, Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organisation, UNESCO, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Office for Climate Education (OCE), and Teach for All (A Global Network).
Likewise, the COP29 Volunteering Programme has launched another training phase, where volunteers will learn about key topics such as climate change, environmental protection, and the COP29 process.
According to Report, candidates who have passed the interview stage will engage in these intensive training sessions, which will run until early September.
After completing the training, participants will move on to specific tasks and responsibilities.
Registration for the volunteer programme was open from May 29 to June 5. A total of 7,000 candidates successfully passed the interview stage.
