At the COP29 high-level meeting, ministers from several countries made a strong call to join forces to combat the climate crisis.
The “Report” reports that in this matter special attention was paid to the problems of climate financing and support for developing countries.
The participants positively appreciated the high-level organization of the conference by Azerbaijan, as well as the warm welcome and the creation of good conditions for productive work, said the President Ilham Aliyevas well as expressed their gratitude to the people of Azerbaijan.
Among other things, South Korea’s Minister of Ecology and Climate, Kim Wansop, highlighted the importance of joint action to solve climate change problems. He noted that Korea is actively developing the use of renewable energy sources (BOEM) and improving industrial processes.
The Minister of Environment of Tunisia, Habib Abid, expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan and President Ilham Aliyev for the wonderful organization of the conference. According to him, COP29 is an excellent opportunity to express collective commitment to the fight against climate change.
Abid highlighted that Tunisia is among the countries suffering from the catastrophic effects of climate change. He urged the international community to pay attention to the issue of technology transfer to developing countries.
Qatar’s Minister of Municipalities and Environment Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Suba expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for the brilliant organization of COP29 and called on developed countries to fulfill their climate finance obligations. In his words, Qatar’s national strategy for 2024-2030 plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% until 2030 and increase the participation of BOEMs in the energy balance to 30%.
Australia’s Minister of Energy and Climate Change, Chris Bowen, highlighted that this year alone his country has invested $2 billion in BOEM. He also noted that Australia has contributed $50 million to the Loss and Damage Fund and is the sixth largest contributor to this fund.
The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Change and Voter Empowerment of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Joel Tricia Clark, has called for support from small island nations to combat the devastating effects of the climate crisis. According to him, the economic losses of countries in the Pacific region due to climate change amount to several billion dollars. Clarke also highlighted that Baku should become a decision-making center for small island states that are the most vulnerable to the climate crisis.
Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Mike Elton Mposha, expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Azerbaijan for the hospitality shown at COP29.
According to him, Zambia is among the countries most affected by climate change. Mposha recalled that his country is facing a serious drought that has affected millions of people and that the country’s hydroelectric resources are almost completely depleted.
Mposha urged participants not to leave COP29 without results on the New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) and to accelerate the capitalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.
The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar, Max Andonirina Fontaine, expressed his gratitude for the exemplary efforts shown by Azerbaijan as president of the conference. According to him, Madagascar is currently facing numerous extreme weather events and is forced to face them alone. He stressed that climate finance is not a charity but a necessity and called on the global community to immediately implement 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, said climate action adaptation plans should be part of mitigation plans. He highlighted that private investments are very important to increase climate financing. Dalli also thanked Azerbaijan for the successful organization of the conference.
Chad’s Minister of Environment, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Hassan Camus, expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan, in particular to the head of state, Ilham Aliyev, on behalf of his country’s president, Mahamat Idris Debi. He stressed that by organizing the conference at a high level, Azerbaijan demonstrated its commitment to a sustainable future.
Camus stated that Chad is on the front line of the global climate crisis, that around 10% of the country’s citizens, that is, 1.9 million people, suffer the effects of climate change. The Minister also highlighted that the Loss and Damage Fund is the main factor in the fight against the negative consequences of the climate crisis.
José Alejandro Lorca, Minister of Popular Power for Ecosocialism of Venezuela, expressed his gratitude to the government of Azerbaijan for the sincere hospitality and conveyed the greetings of the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
According to him, today humanity must unite to save the planet. “There is no plan B because there is no planet B,” he said.
Lorca said the time has come to move from dry words to ambitious steps regarding the NCQG and encouraged developed countries through financing, technology transfer, capacity building, etc. called to support developing countries on these issues.
UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amina bint Abdulla Al-Dahak said the Emirate is proud to hand over the COP presidency to Azerbaijan and expressed gratitude to the Baku official for the warm reception.
The minister recalled that the UAE government declared 2024 as the Year of Sustainable Development. He said the Emirate aims to triple its efforts in renewable energy by 2030 and is committed to transparent cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change.
