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Fatima Latifova

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The final document of the Global Summit of Religious Leaders held under the slogan “World Religions for a Green Planet” within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been adopted, Azernews reports. This document is known as the Baku Declaration.

The declaration states:

"Expressing deep concern over global climate change, loss of biodiversity, desertification, drought, land degradation, forest fires, pollution, food security, and water scarcity, and emphasizing the need for accelerating joint efforts to discuss the causes of these problems, and the creation and improvement of healthy ecosystems;

Praising the COP28 Interfaith Declaration signed at the 2023 Global Summit of Religious Leaders in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates;

Recognizing the importance of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, on February 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi, for interfaith cooperation;

Expressing gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his patronage, special attention, and deep meaningful address to the event during the COP29 Religious Leaders Global Summit, and wishing success in the proceedings of COP29;

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening intercultural and interfaith relations, national and cultural values, and knowledge, including the traditions of multiculturalism, in promoting mutual trust, unity, harmony, and climate change awareness;

Praising Azerbaijan's leadership in combating the climate crisis and solving ecological problems, and welcoming the declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World";

Highlighting the significance of initiatives such as the Baku Process, the Global Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, the Baku International Humanitarian Forum, the World Religious Leaders Summit, the UN Alliance of Civilizations' 7th Global Forum, and the Baku International Conference on Interreligious and Intercultural Cooperation;

Acknowledging the importance of other significant religious forums, including the World and Traditional Religious Leaders Congress in Astana, the Bahrain Dialogue Forum, the G20 Interfaith Forums, previous Global Summits of Religious Leaders held under COP, and the Saudi Media Forum, and emphasizing their contributions to mutual trust, unity, and harmony;

Stressing the necessity of regular interfaith events where representatives of different religions—including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and others—gather to express a unified position on global threats;

Expressing deep concern over armed conflicts, acts of terrorism, and violence based on religious and ethnic grounds, which not only cause human casualties but are also accompanied by ecological disasters, the plundering and destruction of cultural and religious heritage, ecocide, and urbanocide, as well as their negative impact on the fight against climate change;

Calling on states, international, regional, religious, and civil organizations, and religious leaders to:

- Actively participate in public discussions dedicated to climate change, strengthen global support for a greener future, and engage in collective efforts to tackle the climate crisis;
- Recognize the sanctity of human life and nature, respect the values of protecting all living beings and nature, and advocate for ecological equality and justice;
- Play an active role in maintaining the global rise in temperature to no more than 1.5°C in the process of mitigating the global climate crisis and protecting nature;
- Recommend the responsible use of artificial intelligence technologies to solve ecological problems and manage natural resources;
- Warn against the irresponsible use of artificial intelligence and promote cooperation between scientists, legislators, policymakers, religious leaders, and international and public organizations to prevent exacerbating ecological crises;
- Support the implementation and advancement of the long-term goals of the Paris Climate Agreement;
- Encourage inclusive processes in the fight against climate change, with a focus on engaging representatives from different faiths, political leaders, academics, religious scholars, women, youth, local communities, civil society, business sectors, and other stakeholders in discussions;
- Call for the cessation of armed conflicts, violence, and eco-destructive actions, such as the destruction of water reservoirs and ecosystems, which undermine collective climate efforts and contribute to ecological harm;
- Reject attempts by terrorist and extremist groups to misuse religion for their own purposes and take a unified stance against such acts;
- Promote cooperation to prevent harmful ideologies that incite violence and hatred via media and information technology;
- Condemn acts of vandalism against religious symbols and sacred objects, ensuring such acts are not justified under the guise of democracy and freedom of speech;
- Encourage the active participation of youth in combating xenophobia and discrimination and advocate for their education on climate change, environmental protection, and human brotherhood;
- Give special attention to ensuring human rights in clean, stable, and sustainable societies;
- Condemn the irresponsible and excessive use of natural water reserves and ecosystems, which contribute to the climate crisis, and advocate for the protection of these critical resources;
- Make better use of the potential of religions and beliefs in addressing climate change challenges;
- Support the preservation of religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity, and promote eco-ethics based on the moral and spiritual values of the world's religions."

The COP29 Religious Leaders Global Summit took place on November 5-6, 2024, under the patronage of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan in Baku. The event, held under the slogan "World Religions for a Green Planet”, was organized by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Committee for Religious Affairs, the Council of Muslim Elders, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Caucasian Muslims Office. Nearly 300 prominent religious leaders, representatives of foreign countries, senior UN officials, leaders of international organizations, and experts in science and religion participated in the summit.