UAE, Azerbaijani COP29 Presidency host joint action meeting
The meeting focused on advancing joint action and building climate resilience in vulnerable countries, bringing together key stakeholders from climate-vulnerable nations, international organisations, climate funds, multilateral development banks, think tanks, and other relevant parties.
The event, titled Strategy Meeting of the Network of Vulnerable Countries: Advancing Joint Action to Meet Urgent Challenges and Building Climate Resilience, was built on the fundamentals of the UAE Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace (RRP), launched at COP28 in Dubai Expo City in 2023.
Nickolay Mladenov, Director-General of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, welcomed the participants, emphasising the nexus between diplomacy and climate action, especially the urgent need to build climate resilience through cooperation between different stakeholders, government, international organisations, and other stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, Abdulla Ahmed Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, reinforced the legacy of COP28 as the first COP to feature the topic as a dedicated day. The COP28's Climate RRP has received endorsements from 94 countries and 43 organisations.
Balalaa added, "The UAE remains committed to working closely with all partners to ensure that the commitments we make today translate into action. Through the continued engagement of COP Presidencies, we have a unique opportunity to deliver results that will empower vulnerable communities, advance climate resilience, and promote lasting peace."
Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, reaffirmed the COP29 Presidency's commitment to bolstering international cooperation for the most vulnerable nations, highlighting the milestone Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery as a framework for the Network of Vulnerable Countries and the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub as key instruments for supporting this Network and delivering tangible solutions.
"The Baku Hub, already receiving along with Co-leads wide international endorsement, will drive concrete projects in partnership with Co-lead countries and other relevant stakeholders, setting the stage for the upcoming Forum of Vulnerable in Baku—aimed at launching pilot projects in climate-vulnerable countries affected by conflicts and high humanitarian needs," he said.
Elshad Iskandarov, Ambassador and Senior Adviser to the COP29 Presidency, led the dialogue, building on the momentum of the COP29 "Network" of Climate Vulnerable Countries that was launched during the Peace, Relief, and Recovery (PRR) Day, held on 15th November 2024, in Azerbaijan.
The Network seeks to address the critical need for climate finance in nations most affected by climate change with limited access to necessary funding, which was facilitated via the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub (Baku Hub).
These ongoing efforts highlight the strong collaboration between the COP28 UAE and COP29 Azerbaijan Presidencies, reinforcing the shared commitment outlined in the COP28 Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery, and Peace.
Participants from different countries, including ministers, attended the meeting, focusing on practical solutions to address the compounded impacts of conflict and climate change.
The discussion centred on identifying key areas to develop actionable projects that can strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable countries. In this context, the meeting explored the creation of a provisional operational framework for the Network, aimed at enhancing outreach to partners, improving needs assessments, and strategising on project implementation to tackle the climate crisis.
The event was convened by the COP29 Presidency in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with ODI Global, and with support from the Baku Hub, the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, and the Centre for the Analysis of International Relations (AIR Centre).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
19 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
How India is championing climate justice for the Global South
At the COP28 summit in Dubai in December 2023, while global leaders debated the language of a historic deal on transitioning away from fossil fuels, India's delegation made one thing clear: the developing world cannot be asked to pay for a crisis it did not create. Standing before a packed hall of negotiators, India reiterated a demand that resonated across the Global South: equity must be at the heart of climate action. Making it clear that there cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution, India did not mince words in saying that developed nations must take the lead in reducing emissions, while supporting the growth aspirations of the developing world. That moment in Dubai was not just a diplomatic statement; it was a declaration of India's role as the voice of emerging economies in the climate crisis. Today, India is fast becoming the champion of climate justice, pushing for a global approach that balances urgent environmental action with the right to equitable, sustainable development. India's stance on climate is rooted in a simple but profound truth: developing nations need room to grow. With 1.4 billion people, India is home to nearly 18% of the world's population, but it accounts for only 4% of cumulative historic carbon emissions. In contrast, the United States and Europe together are responsible for nearly 47% of the carbon that has heated the planet since the Industrial Revolution. That said, India is among the countries suffering most from climate impacts - extreme heatwaves, erratic monsoons, rising sea levels, and devastating floods. For policymakers in New Delhi, the climate fight is not just about saving the planet, it's about survival and fairness. It has been made clear at several fora that India's climate strategy is not just about reducing emissions but about ensuring climate justice. 'For India, climate justice is no alternative; it is a moral duty,' Modi said at the recent BRICS meeting, adding: 'Where some people measure it in numbers, India lives it in values.' India's credibility as a climate leader comes not just from moral arguments but from measurable action. Under the Paris Agreement (2015), India committed to cutting its emissions intensity by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, a bold pledge for a developing economy. It also set a target for 50% of its installed electricity capacity to come from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Remarkably, India is well on track. According to the Economic Survey for 2024–25, as of December 2024, renewable energy accounts for approximately 47% of India's total installed power capacity - well ahead of schedule. One of India's most visionary contributions is the International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched by Prime Minister Modi and France during the Paris Climate Conference. The ISA, now with over 120 member countries, aims to harness solar energy to provide clean power to developing nations, many of which still lack reliable electricity. 'Through solar power, the developing world can leapfrog into a green future,' Modi said during the ISA's launch. India's leadership is shifting the global climate conversation too. For long, climate action has been framed as a trade-off between growth and sustainability. India is proving that it can be a growth engine while still going green even as it insists that the transition must be fair, inclusive, and just. Clearly, India is no longer just a participant in the climate conversation. It is a leader, a negotiator, and a champion of climate justice for the developing world. And for the Global South, that's a source of hope. The author is a writer at Milaybami.
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Participates in the National Workshop for the United Nations (UN) 'Convergence' Initiative on Integrating Health and Food Systems with Climate Action
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, delivered an opening speech at the National Workshop of the UN "Convergence" Initiative, which focuses on linking health and food systems with climate action. This initiative was launched by the UN Secretary-General during COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, aiming to align the transformation of food systems with climate action to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the goals of the Paris Agreement. The UN Food Systems Coordination Hub is responsible for its implementation. In her speech, delivered via video, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt's keenness to enhance its leadership in linking food systems, nutrition, and the climate agenda, within the ambitious vision of the UN initiative. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed to the UN Secretary-General's statement, which indicated that while the midpoint towards 2030 has been reached, more than half of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are still lagging. She added that despite this, the future of food systems and the future of climate action are not parallel paths but are deeply interconnected. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat highlighted that Egypt has chosen a different path based on integration, innovation, and investment. Egypt has taken bold steps to become one of the first in the region to conduct a comprehensive national dialogue on food systems, bringing together government, private sector, civil society, and academia to reimagine how food systems function. This dialogue formed the foundation for the national pathway. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also underscored the launch of the National Climate Change Strategy 2050, which reflects Egypt's belief that food security and climate resilience are two sides of the same coin. She also noted the launch of the "NWFE" platform (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy), not merely as a tool for development, but as a genuine investment tool linking planning with capital. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat mentioned that through "NWFE," Egypt is mobilizing over $14.7 billion in climate-aligned investment opportunities, clarifying that the United Nations and various institutions have praised the platform as a model for converting national climate commitments into investable projects, particularly in the areas of food and water security. She affirmed that Egypt is currently transitioning from the planning stage to partnerships, and from policies to implementation. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated that through the UN initiative for the convergence of food systems and climate action, further steps will be taken on the path of integration. When food policies align with climate goals, and when nutrition is treated as a foundation for development rather than a secondary matter, it strengthens resilience in national policies and the economy. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed out that according to global estimates, every dollar invested in reducing malnutrition can yield a return of up to $16 through improved health, productivity, and economic growth. She referred to the "Golden Thousand Days" initiative, which represents a crucial window for achieving human development, ensuring that today's investments bear fruit for decades to come. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat outlined the vital role of the private sector in this process, noting that with agriculture contributing 11% of Egypt's GDP and 28% of total employment, this sector remains a key pillar for both economic growth and rural livelihoods. She stressed that opening up to private investment and innovation across food value chains will be key to achieving long-term sustainability. H.E. Minister Al-Mashat concluded by referencing the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) estimates showing that food and agriculture systems account for one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions, yet receive less than 10% of climate finance. She explained that through "NWFE" and initiatives like the current workshop, Egypt is working to bridge this gap by advancing the ability of projects that achieve development and climate goals to attract investment. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation - Egypt.
Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Middle East Eye
US offers to oversee disputed Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor
The United States has proposed taking over the planned transport corridor between Armenia and Azerbaijan in an effort to advance long-stalled diplomatic negotiations between the two Caucasus nations, the US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, told journalists during a briefing on Friday. Although Armenia and Azerbaijan reached consensus on a draft peace agreement in March, Baku continues to insist on several additional conditions before formally signing the deal. Azerbaijan demands that Yerevan amend its constitution to remove references to Azerbaijani territory, among other conditions. One of the main sticking points remains the so-called Zangezur Corridor, which would connect Azerbaijan proper to its exclave, Nakhchivan, via Armenian territory. Armenia refuses to use the term "Zangezur Corridor," arguing that it has irredentist connotations on sovereign Armenian territory, known as Syunik. Azerbaijan has insisted that the corridor should not be placed under Armenia's total control, expressing concerns that Yerevan cannot be trusted to guarantee unfettered access. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Likewise, Armenia categorically opposes transferring control of the route to any third party. The 32-km-long corridor has become a significant obstacle to achieving lasting peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. "They are arguing over 32 kilometers of road, but this is no trivial matter. It has dragged on for a decade - 32 kilometers of road," Barrack told journalists during a briefing hosted in New York. "So what happens is that America steps in and says: 'Okay, we'll take it over. Give us the 32 kilometers of road on a hundred-year lease, and you can all share it'." Turkey originally proposed the idea Barrack's comments mark the first official confirmation that the Trump administration offered to manage the corridor through a private US commercial operator, which would serve as a neutral guarantor. A recent report by Carnegie Endowment suggested that the plan is modelled on an earlier European Union proposal, which would put a US logistics firm in charge of managing and monitoring cargo transit along the route, sharing data transparently with all parties. The report noted that the proposal draws on precedents of international oversight in Georgia's breakaway regions, aiming to address Baku's demand for robust, long-term security guarantees while preserving Yerevan's sovereignty over the corridor. Azerbaijani and Armenian leaders to meet in Dubai later in July Read More » Meanwhile, Turkey has quietly urged Baku to sign the peace agreement, reminding Azerbaijani officials of shifting regional dynamics, such as Iran's waning influence. A regional source familiar with the negotiations told Middle East Eye that it was Turkey that originally proposed the idea of a private company, approved by both Armenia and Azerbaijan, managing the corridor. "However, the Armenian side demanded that the company should also work on the Nakhchivan side of the corridor, which was unacceptable for Baku," the source said. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan dates back to the 1993 Nagorno-Karabakh war, when Armenian forces seized the disputed enclave, recognised as Azerbaijani territory by the United Nations, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. After a bloody six-week war in late 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in September 2023 to retake Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to a ceasefire agreement. Most ethnic Armenians fled, and the breakaway region was officially dissolved on 1 January 2024. Turkey's own normalisation process with Armenia is closely tied to the prospect of a peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Turkish officials view Armenia as a vital link in the so-called Middle Corridor, which would directly connect Turkey to Central Asia. Turkish companies are also eager to participate in potential infrastructure projects within Armenia. Despite Baku's objections, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan last month, marking the first official visit to Turkey by an Armenian leader.
