As a student of ADA University, vice-chairman of the Youth Central Public Union for international cooperation and an active young person, I was involved in the COP29 events as an "exhibitor" by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. From my observations as a volunteer of international events held at ADA University, where I studied, and as a participant of an international youth forum abroad, as well as from my research in the field of international cooperation, communication and digital media, I can say that the COP29 international event held in Baku has a great impact on the importance, location, security, reception and accommodation of guests, food, transportation of participants and will go down in the history of the UN due to his medical care and voluntary service. Most importantly, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, where COP29 is held, fascinates guests with its beauty, ancient architectural buildings as well as modern infrastructure, cleanliness and friendliness.
What is COP29?
COP29 - The Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) is one of the largest events in the fight against global climate change and is an important platform where the countries of the world come together to fight against climate change and adopt new strategies and decisions. The COP is the official meeting of the Conference of the Parties where governments assess the international efforts to achieve the main goal of the Paris Agreement and Convention to limit global warming to as close as possible to 1.5°C. During this conference, world leaders come together to assess the progress of the Parties on their commitments and discuss the best solutions to combat climate change. Currently, the Convention consists of 198 Parties (197 countries and the European Union). Currently, the conference (COP29) is being held in Baku on November 11-22, 2024.
COP29 in Baku...
72,000 registered delegates from 196 countries are participating in the UN COP29 Baku Conference. Among them are 80 Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Prime Ministers. The participation of the leaders of Turkey, Hungary, Great Britain, Italy, Belarus, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Greece, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia and other countries, as well as the president of the European Union, in this prestigious event showed their trust in our country in the example of COP29. confirms more. Thus, the world gathered in Baku. Heads of state and government, government and civil society representatives, scientists and experts of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP29) are gathering in Baku to discuss ways to solve the climate crisis. These discussions and the decisions reached by it promise significant results for the region and the world. So, despite more than 10 years of discussions, no progress has been made so far regarding Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which is of a principled nature on carbon markets. However, on November 11, i.e. on the first day of the 29th (COP29) session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, after nearly 20 hours of negotiations, they agreed on the relevant progress, or rather, the standards for the creation of carbon credits. The global fight against climate change requires the solidarity of the whole world. Azerbaijan pays special attention to climate challenges at the international level and takes a responsible approach to the requirements of environmental programs and conventions. Joining the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, our country joined the obligations related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and prepared the first National Action Plan in this direction, as well as approved the Kyoto Protocol. Also, Azerbaijan is one of the first countries to sign and ratify the Paris Agreement, which is an addition to the Framework Convention, in 2016. Despite all the negative opinions and boycott calls, the fact that the UN hosted such a large-scale prestigious conference with the participation of tens of thousands of people from all over the world in safe conditions, at a high level and almost flawlessly, once again revealed the experience and ability of Azerbaijan in organizing international events. sets, including once again demonstrates that it is committed to international obligations in this direction. Thus, Azerbaijan is determined to become one of the leading countries in the field of renewable energy, and for this purpose it uses its rich wind and solar potential. It is also an important component of the country's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2050. The country is diversifying its current energy system to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 30% by 2030 and become a leader in the field of green energy. Azerbaijan, as an exemplary country in this field, will update its national goals within the next Nationally Determined Contributions document in accordance with the 1.5°C target.
Contributions of COP29...
Creating climate finance first is a top priority and will bring everyone together to contribute to the 1.5°C commitment. It will accelerate the work of a new energy diplomacy to increase opportunities for cooperation between the global North and the global South. Environmentally clean technologies and energy efficiency projects will be implemented, which will activate Institutes dealing with global climate measures. The UN COP29 session in Baku will also raise people's awareness about climate change. Thus, the educational campaigns and measures taken in areas such as environmental protection, energy efficiency and water resources management help people to behave environmentally responsible, to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviors in their personal lives, to reduce water and energy waste, to properly manage waste and will contribute to recycling.
Thus, by hosting COP29, Baku not only contributed to the advancement of the global green agenda, but also increased its global reputation as a city of cultural richness, modernity and environmental stewardship. This significant event will leave a lasting legacy in the history of Azerbaijan and in the global fight against climate change.
Aytaj Adigozalova
Student of ADA University,
Participant of COP29
