In his opening speech, UN climate chief Simon Stiell emphasized that world leaders must demonstrate the resilience of global cooperation, stating, 'If at least two thirds of the world's nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price.' Stiell's remarks underscore the urgency for nations to collectively address climate funding, particularly for the world's poorer countries, suggesting that the idea of climate finance as merely charitable needs to be abandoned.
Azerbaijan's Ecology Minister Mukhtar Babayev, who serves as COP29 president, articulated the immediate realities of climate change by declaring, 'Climate change is already here.' He positioned COP29 as a critical juncture for global cooperation, emphasizing that it represents an 'unmissable moment to chart a new path forward for everyone' in addressing climate challenges and financing needs.
With the backdrop of potential shifts in US climate policy under Trump, Vanuatu's special envoy Ralph Regenvanu warned, 'We cannot afford to let the momentum for global action on climate change be derailed.' His statement reflects concerns that a lack of commitment from major economies could undermine global climate ambitions, highlighting the importance of the negotiations in Baku.
Collection
[
|
...
]