More than 100 countries are expected to submit their Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) by the end of the year, as requested by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), COP29 President-designate, Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev said at the High-Level Forum on Global Climate Transparency, organized by the COP29 Presidency as part of the "High-Level Week" of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
According to Report, Babayev emphasized the importance of global solidarity and increasing efforts in the fight against climate change. He noted that significant progress was made at the 3rd meeting of the Board of the Loss and Damage Response Fund, established to assist developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, which took place in Baku.
"At this meeting, we successfully laid the foundation for the allocation of funds. This breakthrough in Baku is an important step, allowing us to act in the face of climate change," Babayev stated. "We must work on developing all the provisions of the Paris Agreement. This year is very important because Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) will be submitted before COP29."
The minister further explained that BTRs and the broader enhanced transparency system are crucial for tracking progress and strengthening trust as countries strive to fulfill their commitments, including those under the Paris Agreement and the Consensus reached at COP28 in the UAE. "This also allows us to assess gaps and identify financial needs, which in turn will help unlock and direct climate finance," he added.
Babayev also called for addressing three key issues for the successful work of the COP agenda. Firstly, he urged all parties to submit their BTRs ahead of COP29, to inspire everyone. Secondly, he invited the COP family to take full advantage of the support and resources offered by the Baku Global Forum on Climate Transparency and encouraged them to openly declare their intention to participate in this topic. Lastly, Babayev invited attendees to a ministerial-level meeting at COP29 itself to agree upon and sign a declaration on transparency.