COP29, hosted by Baku, has taken significant steps to ensure the equal participation of people with disabilities in this exceptional climate event.

The blue and green zones at COP29, have reportedly been equipped with ramps and elevators that meet international standards for wheelchair users, facilitating access to all participating pavilions.

Special buses have also been arranged for their transportation, according to local sources. Additionally, sanitary facilities have been adapted to accommodate their requirements.

Local reports highlight that the conference halls, press rooms, and public dining areas feature custom-designed tables accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring ease of movement and accessibility.

The Media Center has also taken steps to create an inclusive environment by establishing dedicated workspaces for individuals with disabilities, enabling their active participation in this year’s climate discussions.

According to a previous report published by the World Bank Blog, people with disabilities, world wide, face mortality rates up to four times higher than those of non-disabled during natural disasters.

The report cited statistics published in December 2023.

Although 15% of the global population lives with a disability, climate adaptation efforts often fail to adequately consider their needs.

One notable example occurred in Uzbekistan in November 2022, when devastating mudslides destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and claimed many lives in several villages in Jizzakh Province.

These disasters unfolded against a backdrop of troubling climate change projections for the country, including rising temperatures, intensified droughts, floods, and wildfires.

The World Bank team interviewed nearly 20 individuals with disabilities across six villages and various urban neighborhoods in Jizzakh, Syrdarya, and Tashkent provinces, all of which were severely affected.

The team aimed to examine the climate vulnerabilities faced by people with disabilities. Among the interviewees was Shahzod, a resident of Jizzakh Province, who described experiences and concerns shared by many respondents. Using a temporary plastic cane for mobility, he recounted his inability to evacuate without assistance on the uneven streets of his village.

This fieldwork, alongside 40 interviews with members of disability rights organizations in Uzbekistan, underscores the urgent need for inclusive planning that incorporates the needs of people with disabilities as part of climate adaptation strategies.

The research team detailed their findings and recommendations in a subsequent World Bank report titled “Climate Change and Disability Inclusion in Uzbekistan.”