High-level COP29 meeting: Ministers call for united efforts in fighting climate crisis

During the high-level meeting at COP29, ministers from various countries made a strong call to unite efforts in combating the climate crisis.

According to Report, special attention was paid to climate financing issues and support for developing countries in this matter.

Participants highly appreciated Azerbaijan's organization of the conference and expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and the Azerbaijani people for their warm hospitality and creation of excellent conditions for productive work.

In particular, South Korea's Minister of Ecology and Climate Kim Wan-sup emphasized the importance of joint actions in addressing climate change issues. He noted that Korea is actively developing the use of renewable energy sources (RES) and improving industrial processes.

Tunisia's Minister of Environment Habib Abid thanked Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev for the excellent organization of the conference. According to him, COP29 became an excellent opportunity to declare collective commitment to fighting climate change.

Abid emphasized that Tunisia is also among the countries suffering from the devastating effects of climate change. He called on the international community to focus on technology transfer to developing countries.

Qatar's Minister of Municipalities and Environment Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Subaie, thanked Azerbaijan for the brilliant organization of COP29 and urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments regarding climate financing. According to him, Qatar's national strategy for 2024-2030 envisions reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy balance to 30% by 2030.

Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen emphasized that Australia alone invested $2 billion in renewable sources this year. He also noted that Australia contributed $50 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, making it the 6th largest contributor to the fund.

The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Change and Constituency Empowerment of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Joyelle Tricia Clarke, called for support for small island states in combating the devastating effects of the climate crisis. According to him, the economic losses of Pacific countries due to climate change amount to several billion dollars.

Clarke also emphasized that Baku should become a decision-making center for small island states, which are most vulnerable to the climate crisis.

Zambia's Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha, expressed gratitude to the government and people of Azerbaijan for their hospitality at COP29.

According to him, Zambia is among the countries most affected by climate change. He recalled that the country faced severe drought, resulting in millions of people being affected, and the country's hydroelectric resources are almost completely depleted.

Mposha urged participants not to leave the COP29 conference without results on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and to accelerate the capitalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.

Madagascar's Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Max Andonirana Fontaine, expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for its exemplary efforts as conference chair. According to him, Madagascar today faces many extreme climate events and has to deal with them on its own. He emphasized that climate financing is not charity but a necessity, and called on the global community for immediate launch of the Loss and Damage Fund. Fontaine also welcomed the progress made at COP29 on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Malta's Minister of Environment, Energy and Regeneration Miriam Dalli noted that adaptation plans should be part of mitigation plans in climate actions. She emphasized that private investments are crucial for increasing climate financing. Dalli also thanked Azerbaijan for successfully organizing the conference.

Chad's Minister of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development Hassan Djamous thanked Azerbaijan, particularly President Ilham Aliyev, on behalf of his country's president Mahamat Idriss Déby. He emphasized that by organizing a high-level conference, Azerbaijan demonstrated its commitment to a sustainable future.

Djamous explained that Chad is at the forefront of the global climate crisis, with almost 10% of the country's citizens, or 1.9 million people, suffering from climate change impacts. The minister also emphasized that the Loss and Damage Fund is fundamental in combating the negative consequences of the climate crisis.

Venezuela's Minister of People's Power for Ecosocialism Josué Alejandro Lorca also expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for their warm hospitality and conveyed greetings from the country's president Nicolas Maduro.

According to him, humanity must unite today to save the planet. "There is no Plan B because there is no Planet B," he said.

Lorca called for a transition from words to ambitious actions on NCQG and urged developed countries to support developing ones in matters of financing, technology transfer, capacity building, etc.

UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak said that the Emirates proudly handed over the COP presidency to Azerbaijan and expressed gratitude to official Baku for the warm reception.

The minister reminded that UAE authorities declared 2024 as the Year of Sustainable Development. According to her, the Emirates intend to triple their renewable energy efforts by 2030 and commit to cooperating in transparency regarding climate change mitigation.