Baku: President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan welcomed President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the beginning of his speech during the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29. Aliyev congratulated His Highness on the historic “UAE Consensus” during COP28 and praised the UAE’s supportive efforts in hosting COP29.
According to Emirates News Agency, Aliyev noted that the organisation of COP29 in Baku underscores Azerbaijan’s commitment to multilateralism and cross-culturalism. With over 72,000 participants from more than 196 countries registered to attend, the event is set to be a significant global platform. Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s role as COP29 President in fostering consensus between developing and developed countries and enhancing South-North relations. He highlighted the transformative mega projects initiated by Azerbaijan, which have altered energy and transport routes across Eurasia.
In his address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reflected on t
he outcomes of COP28 in the UAE, where nations pledged to transition to energy systems free from conventional fuels while accelerating the adoption of zero-emission energy systems. He urged the delivery of these commitments, stressing the economic necessity driven by innovations and cost reductions in renewable energy. Guterres identified solar and wind energies as the most affordable new electricity sources, underscoring that no entity can halt the clean energy revolution.
Guterres outlined the urgency of global emissions reductions, advocating for a nine per cent annual reduction to achieve a 43 per cent decrease from 2019 levels by 2030. He called for the establishment of fair and efficient carbon market rules by the next COP and insisted on the alignment of national energy transition strategies with sustainable development priorities to attract vital investments, considering varied national circumstances.
The Secretary-General highlighted the potential $359 billion annual gap in adaptation funding by 20
30, stressing the dire consequences for lives and livelihoods if promises remain unfulfilled. He urged developed countries to double adaptation funding to at least $40 billion per year by 2025 and advocated for new climate action plans to address adaptation financing needs. He also emphasized the importance of disaster warning systems, aligning with the UN’s “Early Warnings for All” initiative, to protect everyone by 2027.