“Farmers on the front lines of agricultural production are one of the most vulnerable groups affected by climate change.”
Oku.Az It reports that Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov spoke these words during his speech at the discussion session titled “Launching the Baku Initiative for a Harmonious Climate for Farmers: Empowering Farmers for Climate Resilience.”
He began his speech with a profound idea expressed by the world famous 12th century Azerbaijani poet and philosopher Nizami Ganjavi.
“There must be harmony and harmony on earth, in society, between people and nature, otherwise humanity will destroy itself.” Written long ago, these words resonate deeply today as we face one of the greatest challenges humanity has ever known: the climate crisis. “We are fighting together against the serious effects of climate change not only for Azerbaijan, but for the global agricultural community.”
The minister pointed out that agriculture is an important sector on a global scale:
“Farmers on the front lines of agricultural production remain some of the most vulnerable to climate change. They feel its effects directly and immediately. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, soil degradation and shortages of water threaten their way of life, but receive little attention in the global climate. “Farmers are the first to feel the effects of climate change, but often the last to receive support. The Baku Farmers Climate Initiative is our commitment to change that.”
According to him, the Harmonized Climate Initiative has several objectives:
“First and foremost, our goal is to clarify and connect the often fragmented landscape. Harmony will serve as a central platform that will connect initiatives, coalitions and partnerships in agriculture, food and water. This platform will provide farmers with practical knowledge, access to digital tools and The world’s best practices and innovations will provide a place to connect. By creating a streamlined hub, we empower farmers to make informed and sustainable decisions for their farms and their future.
Our second objective is to mobilize investments that support sustainable agriculture. Agriculture requires significant resources and we are committed to making these investments available and effective in harmony. We are targeting new tools and projects to unlock climate finance in collaboration with international organizations, public and private financial institutions and partners around the world. This work will go beyond COP29 and enable sustainable collaboration and innovation that build resilience across borders. The future of agriculture depends on how we adapt today.
Our third goal is to empower farmers, especially women and youth, who are the backbone of agriculture and a key driver of future sustainability. By equipping our farming communities with the right tools, training, and climate finance, Harmony encourages farmers to embrace sustainable practices with confidence. Azerbaijan has already made significant progress in implementing these strategies at the national level, but we understand that climate resilience is a shared challenge. By working with global partners, we can attract more investment, share experiences and create a sustainable future for agriculture.”
At the end of the speech, Mammadov emphasized that the Baku Initiative for a Harmonious Climate is not just a new initiative for farmers, but a call to action:
“This is a commitment to ensure that farmers who feed the world are equipped to meet the greatest challenge of our time. Together, through international cooperation, targeted investments and a relentless focus on strengthening our rural communities, we can create Nizami Ganjavi long imagined harmony between people, nature and society.
Let us work together to make this vision a reality and ensure harmony reigns in the world we leave behind for future generations.”
Aygun Mirakif
