Azernews.Az

Nazrin Abdul

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In a compelling address at the opening ceremony of COP29, the designated president of COP29, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, underscored the urgency of scaling up global climate ambitions, Azernews reports.

Babayev emphasized that the upcoming round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) represents the world’s final opportunity to align with the 1.5°C climate goal and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.

"We are at a crossroads," Babayev stated. "The plans we submit in this cycle are critical. They must be informed by the first global stocktake, which provides us with an essential roadmap. The time to act is now."

He also expressed gratitude to those countries that have already committed to 1.5°C-aligned NDCs but called on all nations to increase their ambition in the next round. "We need to get this right and we need to do it on time," Babayev said, adding that the transition away from fossil fuels must be done in a just and orderly manner, considering the diverse national circumstances and pathways.

Highlighting the pivotal role of mitigation, Babayev reaffirmed that COP29, as the world's foremost climate forum, would not remain silent on the issue. "Alongside the International Energy Agency, we are publishing a call to action for a just and orderly energy transition. We are calling for a six-fold increase in global energy storage capacity by 2030," he noted. He also pointed out the urgent need to address overlooked issues like food waste, which contributes nearly 10% of global emissions.

The minister further announced a co-hosted summit with the United States and China, aimed at bolstering collective mitigation efforts. "Mitigation is our priority, but we are tackling the issue from every angle to ensure no one is left behind," Babayev said, emphasizing the importance of keeping focus on the global goal of carbon neutrality.

Azerbaijan’s leadership on climate adaptation was also highlighted. "Adaptation must receive the attention it deserves," Babayev said, stressing that the country’s own challenges—such as the shrinking Caspian Sea, glacier retreat, and freshwater loss in the Caucasus—underline the need for robust adaptation strategies. He called for the timely submission of national adaptation plans, which are vital for sharing best practices, transferring technology, and providing mutual support.

"These plans must be submitted by 2025 to ensure we make meaningful progress by 2030," he said, adding that adaptation finance must play a central role in the climate finance agenda. "This is our last chance to significantly scale up support for adaptation, and we must ensure public funding is a key part of the equation," he emphasized.

Transparency, according to Babayev, is paramount. He stressed that countries must submit their first biennial transparency reports (BTRs) by the end of the year. Azerbaijan, he noted, is fully committed to this process and ready to submit its own report.

The minister also called for more inclusive climate plans that are responsive to age and gender, reaffirming Azerbaijan’s support for the Lima Work Programme and its Gender Action Plan.

COP29, Babayev concluded, is a critical moment for the future of the Paris Agreement. "We must now demonstrate that we are ready to meet the commitments we made. This is not an easy task, but it is absolutely necessary. The science is clear. The future of our planet depends on the actions we take today."

He added, "This is a race against time. We have agreed to always raise our ambitions, and now we must deliver on those commitments. What seemed impossible yesterday must become a reality today."

Azerbaijan, Babayev affirmed, is ready to lead by example. "We have overcome the odds before, and we are determined to do so again. But this is a collective challenge. No single country can solve this crisis alone. The success or failure of COP29 will be shared by all."

As the world gathers in Baku, Babayev’s message was clear: "Azerbaijan can build the bridge, but we all must walk across it—and we need to start running."

In closing, he reminded the delegates that while they represent diverse communities, "our common humanity and shared world must always remain at the heart of our efforts."