The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) was held in Azerbaijan on November 11-22, 2024. It should be noted that the hosting of the COP usually rotates among the five regional groups of the UN. Each regional group must decide by consensus to nominate a country from among its members to host this conference.

Azerbaijan understands the importance of joint efforts in the fight against climate change. The strong political will demonstrated by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the support of the countries that are members of the Eastern European Group to Azerbaijan's candidacy to host the COP29 played a decisive role in Azerbaijan success.

Azerbaijan places special emphasis on environmental protection and the mitigation of climate change, undertaking significant efforts to deliver on these goals. A clear example of this is the unanimous decision to have Azerbaijan host the COP29, considered one of the world’s largest and most prestigious events. As noted by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, this is testament to the international community's profound respect and trust in Azerbaijan.

Through his speeches at key events such as the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, the 6th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting, the Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Shusha, and the 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum, as well as in various television interviews, President Ilham Aliyev has outlined the architecture of Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency.

Under the slogan "In Solidarity for a Green World", Azerbaijan exemplifying leadership in addressing global issues like climate change under the guidance of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, called on all nations to strengthen solidarity for a greener, fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable world.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan is a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and has joined the fight against global climate change. Azerbaijan’s aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases by 35 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. After 2030, a more ambitious target has been set, which consists of reducing the amount of greenhouse gases by 40 percent by 2050.

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan has declared the freed lands of Azerbaijan as "Green Energy" zone. It is planned to turn these areas into "Net zero emission" zones by 2050.

With its abundant solar and wind resources, Azerbaijan has significant potential to become a leader in renewable energy production. Investing in this sector can diversify the economy and create new job opportunities.

 By orders of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mukhtar Babayev, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, was appointed as the COP29 President-Designate and Organizing Committee was established for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP19), and the 6th session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA6).

The COP29 Action Plan has been adopted and implemented by the relevant government agencies. COP29, which has been hold at the Baku Olympic Stadium from November 11 to 22, 2024, is the largest event Azerbaijan has organized to date and the first in broader region. The Host Country Agreement and other important documents have already been signed between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The World Leaders Climate Action Summit, the highest-level event of COP29, took place on November 12-13, 2024.

Of the 70,000 registered delegates for COP29, 80 Heads of States, Governments and Vice Presidents attended the two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit. Those in attendance made statements on how they are advancing the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Breakthroughs on the Baku Finance Goal and UN carbon markets defy expectations as a result of year of intensive multilateral diplomacy led by Azerbaijani COP29 Presidency.

The COP29 Presidency of Azerbaijan announced the agreement of the Baku Finance Goal (BFG), a new commitment to channel $1.3tn of climate finance to the developing world each year. Success on the COP29 Presidency’s top priority for the UN Climate Summit represents a significant uplift from the previous climate finance goal of $100 billion and will unlock a new wave of global investment.

The Baku Finance Goal contains a core target for developed countries to take the lead on mobilizing at least $300 billion per year for developing countries by 2035. This represents a $50bn increase on the previous draft text, and is the product of 48 hours of intensive diplomacy by the COP29 Presidency. It pays special consideration to support the least developed countries and small island developing states, with provisions on accessibility and transparency.

The COP29 Presidency also succeeded in getting the Fund for Loss and Damage up and running and ready to distribute money in 2025. This decision was long awaited by developing countries, including small island states, least developed countries, and African nations. This aligns with the priority set by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, to address the challenges posed by climate change impacts on small island states under the COP29 Presidency.

At the same time the Baku Workplan of the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform was established.

In the plenary session, Parties in Baku unanimously agreed to an expression of gratitude to the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and to the people of Azerbaijan for the generosity and hospitality they demonstrated in hosting the 29th Conference of the Parties.

As emphasized by Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, our country will spare no effort in building a bridge between developed and developing countries, achieving consensus during COP29, and ensuring that COP29 is a success story.

Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29, one of the world's largest and most important events is another solemn victory of President Ilham Aliyev. This is the biggest success of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy after it’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement and Azerbaijan membership in the Security Council.