The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29), organized under the UNFCCC, will begin today, November 11, in Baku, Azerbaijan, and will continue until November 22, 2024.
COP29’s mission is to restrict global warming to 1.5°C, highlighting the critical necessity for investment in climate initiatives. This strategy focuses on enhancing national ambitions and transparency while promoting action through effective financing aimed at cutting emissions and addressing the impacts of climate change.
Achievements of COP28
Last year’s COP28, hosted by the UAE, successfully established a unified global framework for climate priorities through the groundbreaking “UAE Consensus” and an actionable climate agenda. This initiative encouraged the inclusion of diverse perspectives from around the globe, fostering a new collaborative model for tackling climate challenges and reflecting an innovative vision for unifying global efforts to build resilience and ensure a sustainable future.
UAE’s Engagement at COP29
The UAE’s engagement at COP29 will feature a national pavilion and plans for over 60 thought leadership dialogues and announcements throughout the two-week event.
As the host of COP28, the UAE seeks to present a refreshed vision focused on accelerating global climate action while reaffirming the goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C. The UAE’s involvement in COP29 builds on its significant achievements from COP28, where the historic “UAE Consensus” was unveiled. This participation aims to elevate collective ambitions and articulate the needs and expectations of relevant stakeholders, fostering a new phase of climate action that enhances global resilience.
Focus on climate finance
In alignment with the UAE’s commitment to galvanizing international support for increased climate finance—particularly to assist the Global South, developing nations, and communities most vulnerable to climate change—the “Global Climate Finance Framework” will be a central topic at COP29 negotiations. The UAE will host a pavilion in the Blue Zone, bringing together climate experts, government representatives, private sector leaders, academics, and youth to engage in over 60 thematic side events during the two-week conference, aimed at sharing ideas and co-developing solutions for urgent climate challenges.
Dynamic programming at the Pavilion
The UAE Pavilion will facilitate vibrant discussions through its comprehensive programming, covering topics such as mobilizing climate finance for the Global South; showcasing the UAE’s advancements in renewable energy; promoting decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors; leveraging AI to transform food systems and tackle water scarcity; highlighting progress in global partnerships, including AIM4Climate and the Mangrove Breakthrough; empowering youth in climate policymaking; preparing for the 2026 UN Water Conference co-chaired by the UAE and Senegal; exploring urban planning for circular cities; and mobilizing finance for biodiversity regeneration. The pavilion, titled “Accelerating Action Together,” will showcase the UAE’s climate journey, including key highlights from the UAE Consensus, the legacy and impact of COP28, and the nation’s progress in areas such as climate finance, Net Zero commitments, food and water security, and protecting livelihoods.
Support for Azerbaijan
Since Azerbaijan was announced as the host for COP29, the UAE has continued to support the country’s leadership in efforts to enhance cooperation and collective action towards a more optimistic and resilient climate future.
Climate finance goals
According to the UN, a major priority for negotiators in Baku will be reaching an agreement on a new climate finance goal that ensures all countries can undertake more robust climate actions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build resilient communities. The conference aims to unlock the trillions of dollars necessary for developing countries to mitigate harmful emissions, adapt to climate change, and address related losses and damages.
Conference structure and schedule
As always, the conference will feature a packed agenda of negotiations, speeches, press conferences, events, and panel discussions, divided between the Green Zone—managed by the COP29 Presidency and open to the public—and the Blue Zone, overseen by the UN.
At COP21 in Paris in 2015, countries reached a landmark agreement to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels while striving to keep it to 1.5 degrees. The Paris Agreement operates on a five-year cycle of progressively ambitious climate actions from participating nations. The next updates to national climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), are expected in 2025. This process has fostered incremental yet significant improvements in emission reductions and the promotion of renewable energy adoption.
Building on progress
Each year, negotiators build upon the progress from the previous COP, enhancing commitments and aspirations while advocating for new agreements based on the latest scientific insights regarding climate change and the impacts of human activity.
The COP29 Presidency emphasizes the necessity of operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund to assist vulnerable communities, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It advocates for enhanced NDCs aligned with the 1.5°C targets and urges submissions of NDCs by 2025.
Read more: Azerbaijan confirmed as host of COP29
Adaptation and financing
Regarding adaptation, the Presidency calls for all nations to develop National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) by 2025 and stresses the importance of scaling up adaptation financing. Furthermore, COP29 encourages both global financial institutions and the private sector to increase climate finance and support investments in green technologies.
COP29 has officially launched its extensive programming for both the Blue and Green Zones, showcasing a variety of events, discussions, and exhibitions that will shape the global climate agenda.
The programming spans both the Blue Zone, where formal negotiations and decision-making occur, and the Green Zone, which is accessible to the public and features exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events focused on climate change. Topics covered include climate finance, adaptation, mitigation, technology, and more.
Visitors to the Green Zone will have the opportunity to engage in panels, workshops, keynote speeches, and informal discussions, all aligned with specific thematic days. Official partners of COP29 will utilize this platform in the Green Zone to inspire climate dialogue and encourage action among stakeholders from both public and private sectors.
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