Today, Azerbaijan hosts the official opening of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). The decision to host COP29 in Azerbaijan—a country with considerable experience in organizing international events—was made during the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai on December 11, 2023. The conference, running from November 11 to 22, will see Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, welcoming approximately 70,000 international guests.
The High-Level Segment of the Climate Action Summit will be held on November 12-13, during which around 80 heads of state and government will deliver speeches, continuing on November 13. The summit provides a platform to address global climate goals, with participating countries aiming to establish new financial targets and enhance cooperation in green energy and sustainable development.
Since its inception in 1995, the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) has served as the central forum to assess and accelerate global efforts to combat climate change. Notable agreements addressed at past conferences include the Kyoto Protocol, which set binding commitments for developed countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the 2015 Paris Agreement, a landmark accord to mitigate climate change signed by 195 countries, including Azerbaijan.
High-ranking officials already in attendance include President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa, Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay, President of Ghana, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Bećirović, member of the Presidency Željka Cvijanović, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, Chairman of the Council of Muslim Elders, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, Vice President of Burundi, Prime Minister of Niue Dalton Emani Makamau Tagelagi, Vice President of Malawi, President of North Macedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Vice President of Angola, President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Mohamed Abdelsalam, Indian yogi Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev), Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe Patrice Emery Trovoada, President of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi, and an Afghan delegation represented by members of the Taliban.
Other recent arrivals include Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo, President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, Secretary-General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanichbek Omuraliev, Prime Minister of Liechtenstein Daniel Risch, and President of Iraq Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, who were welcomed by Azerbaijani officials at Heydar Aliyev International Airport. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with six ministers, is also expected to arrive in the coming days.
Additional distinguished attendees include President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Crown Prince of Jordan Hussein bin Abdullah, Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze, President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Head of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, CEO of BP Murray Auchincloss, President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Vice President of Brazil Geraldo Alckmin.
In preparation for COP29, Baku Stadium has been equipped with eco-friendly energy systems powered by solar panels, biofuel generators, and hydropower. A briefing for delegates gathered around 500 participants, and new speed limits have been established for the electric buses designated for transporting delegates. The event will also feature the Daily Show, a televised program in partnership with British broadcaster Hi Impact, and a “blue zone” for formal discussions. Additionally, a high-level roundtable on Green Digital Action is scheduled to explore the integration of digital innovations into sustainable development.
These extensive preparations aim to provide a productive and eco-conscious environment for the summit’s participants, underscoring Azerbaijan’s commitment to hosting a successful and impactful climate summit.
