Deputy minister: Uniting efforts under Rio Conventions leads to greater achievements

“The success of the Rio Trio Initiative depends on our shared commitment to turning our ideas into reality”, said Umayra Taghiyeva, Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Report informs.

Taghiyeva made this insight at the event titled "Rio Trio Initiative: Enhancing Inter-Convention Knowledge for Sustainable Ecosystems" held as a part of COP29.

The deputy minister emphasized that the Rio Trio Initiative is more than just a partnership: "It is a symbol of collective action. To achieve success, we must unite our efforts across Conventions to find joint solutions, rather than working in isolation."

She added that working together under the Rio Conventions demonstrates that uniting efforts leads to greater achievements.

Joint initiatives like integrating NDCs, NAPs, and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans can provide benefits that address multiple goals in the Sustainable Development Agenda, Taghiyeva also pointed out.

"We must create methods of information exchange that respect the unique role of each Convention while allowing for seamless integration. These platforms should have clear, shared criteria and indicators to monitor progress in climate, biodiversity, and land restoration."

The deputy minister mentioned that by harmonizing methods across Conventions, duplication can be avoided, reporting simplified, and efforts ensured to support each other. Despite the numerous challenges, the opportunity for action is vast.

She further stated that through harmonizing knowledge exchange, better policies can be shaped, stronger accountability established, and sustainable partnerships formed.

The Rio-Trio Initiative aims to strengthen global sustainability efforts by coordinating the actions of three new COP presidencies representing the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change from Azerbaijan, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity from Colombia, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.