Moratinos: Azerbaijan has done excellent organizational work to ensure COP29's success

More than 220 guests from 55 countries and 30 international organizations are participating in the Global Summit of Religious Leaders "World Religions for a Green Planet" that started today in Baku, ahead of the 29th session of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). Among the participants are well-known religious and public figures representing various faiths.

Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Deputy Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), also joined the event and shared his thoughts on the importance of the spiritual component in fighting climate change.

Report asked Miguel Moratinos to share his expectations from COP29 and impressions of the ongoing Religious Leaders Summit.

- How do you assess Azerbaijan's cooperation with the UN and the country's activity in your organization?

- Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN has always been strong because your country has always actively supported and defended international law and the principle of territorial integrity of UN states. From the beginning, Azerbaijan and the UN have been good, constructive partners.

And today even more so, thanks to many initiatives. There is complete UN trust in the organization of COP29. The climate agenda is one of the UN's main priorities these days.

This demonstrates that Azerbaijan participates in all relevant events, is involved in all important UN topics and the fight against challenges. I think this has important regional significance, contributing to peace and prosperity here.

Azerbaijan is also a partner and ally of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the organization I lead, in order to create intercultural, interreligious dialogue through the Baku Process, with all these international forums organized by Azerbaijan, and also hosting the Global Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, and play a very active role in our mandate of United National Alliance of Civilization to save humanity.

- You've participated in various events organized by Azerbaijan and viewed COP29 preparations. What are your expectations from the climate conference in Baku?

- Azerbaijan has vast experience and heritage in organizing international conferences.

You know, they have always been very successful. Every time an international conference or summit takes place in Baku, in Azerbaijan, the results are excellent. And we are very positive about the excellent organizational work that Azerbaijan has done so far to ensure COP29's success.

- What can you say about the current event - the Summit of Religious Leaders?

- I think it's happening at the right moment. This is another proof of Azerbaijan's innovative approach. I think before country leaders, decision-makers, come to Baku to discuss serious climate agenda at COP29, they should consider the message coming today from this summit of religious leaders. Because without considering ethics, principles, values, religious sensitivity, spirituality, it's very difficult to achieve good results in fighting climate change.

So without the contribution of religious leaders, it will be very difficult to solve the problem of saving the planet with science and technology alone.