Mokhtar Babayev, President of COP29, commended the UAE, as it has established international cooperation for climate protection.
Speaking at COP 29, which was kicked off today in Baku, Babayev expressed gratitude to Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President of COP 28, and praised his efforts in fostering cooperation among international parties.
Mokhtar Babayev, the appointed President of the COP29 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, expressed his hope that this conference would be an inclusive and transparent platform that reflects the needs of countries and communities worldwide in addressing environmental challenges.
Babayev’s speech came to mark the handover of the COP presidency to the Republic of Azerbaijan, during the opening ceremony of COP29, which will run for the next two weeks in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.
Babayev said: "People need more than just sympathy. We need to take concrete steps that contribute to changing reality and reducing the negative impacts of climate change." He emphasized that the current moment presents an opportunity to chart a path for the future, where we can confront challenges and prepare to face them.
"Tackling the climate crisis requires more effort and support, not only from governments but also from the international community and the private sector," he said.
He also called for sustainable funding and a clear plan to effectively guide climate action.
The President of COP29 referred to the efforts to mobilize necessary climate funding, saying: "We must invest today to save our planet and our future." He added that the road ahead is still long, and the challenges we face should not be seen as burdens, but as opportunities to build a better future.
Babayev concluded by asserting: "Every dollar invested in combating climate change will make a tangible difference. We now have a chance to save tomorrow, and let us make this conference a real turning point towards a sustainable future."
COP29 Activities Kick-off
The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) officially kicked off on Monday in Baku.
COP29 represents a pivotal opportunity for nearly 198 countries (197 countries and the European Union) to accelerate action to address the climate crisis.
With global temperatures reaching record levels and the impact of extreme weather events affecting people worldwide, the 29th session of COP will bring together government leaders, the business sector, and civil society to find practical solutions to this critical issue of the present era.
