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H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-
Designate, Minister of Ecology and Natural
Resources, Republic of Azerbaijan

COP29 will be the first hosted in the Caucasus, and we are honoured to represent our region to the world.
Climate change affects everyone differently: we face extreme heat, water scarcity and declining water levels
in the Caspian Sea that have a direct impact on our lives and livelihoods. But we are also a source of solutions
and opportunities, such as our abundant wind and solar potential, which can play an important role in the
renewable energy landscape, supporting transition to low-emissions and climate resilient development not
only at the national, but also at the regional and global level, and we are determined to lead by example.

We have built an agenda that seeks to work in harmony The COP29 action agenda has been a collective
across multiple cross-cutting dimensions. We have global effort, and we would like to thank everyone
developed initiatives to address all climate pillars, involve who has contributed to its development. This includes
global, regional, national and subnational groups, take a the line ministries of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the
holistic view of sustainable development, and include all private sector, academia, NGOs, the UN Task Force
demographics within an inclusive process that delivers for COP29, international organisations, and all Parties,
inclusive outcomes. These activities will be guided by the Constituencies and non-party stakeholders who have
principles, objectives and goals of the Convention and provided feedback and ongoing support.
the Paris Agreement.
Azerbaijan is just one country and we cannot solve
As more actors contribute to climate action in an the climate crisis alone. But we never underestimate
increasingly global effort, coherence amongst initiatives the value of an individual contribution or the power
is a growing imperative. To ensure interoperability with of example. If we cannot mobilise every actor, then at
existing international frameworks, we have partnered with least we seek to inspire them and demonstrate what is
UN and international agencies in the development and possible with commitment and determination. We hope
delivery of the COP29 Action Agenda, which we hope will to remind everyone that even in the face of such an
help ensure continuity and COP-to-COP legacies. enormous challenge, every action matters because every
fraction of a degree matters.
We are launching multiple platforms to bring otherwise
disparate stakeholders together and develop efficiencies Climate action is a common commitment that requires
and synergies. We have sought to build on previous action and leadership from everyone. Through the COP29
achievements, and many initiatives have been informed Action Agenda we wish to give everyone an opportunity
by the first Global Stocktake, amongst other milestone to sign up, speak up and step up. This is how we seek to
agreements, as we look to fill gaps and take the next build momentum to enhance ambition and enable action
steps towards implementation. and move forward in solidarity for a green world.

Abstract from Letter to Parties and Constituencies,
published September 2024

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