The Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, extended her gratitude today to the Government of Azerbaijan for hosting COP29 in Baku and for creating an environment where world leaders and climate advocates can gather to address the urgent global climate crisis, Paralel.Az reports.

“I congratulate H.E. President Ilham Aliyev for his willingness to take on the responsibility of hosting COP29 at this critical moment for our planet. In advance of the summit, I thank him for his commitment and extend that thanks to H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, the COP29 President-Designate, and to H.E. Yalchin Rafiyev, Lead Negotiator for COP29 Azerbaijan.”

“Commonwealth leaders met at the end of October, and their resolve in calling for urgency of ambition and action is unequivocal. They are clear that we need a robust financial framework which addresses critical issues of funding amounts, its quality, and access for climate action and sustainable development. COP29 is a huge opportunity to advance that goal.”

“Women’s leadership is key to addressing global issues, and I would like to give special recognition to Ms Narmin Jarchalova, Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company, for her dedication in leading rapid and precise preparations for COP29 – and all who have worked to make this vital global event a reality.”

In August 2024, during the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Azerbaijan signed a landmark joint declaration aimed at enhancing climate action in Small Developing Island States (SIDS) and other vulnerable member countries. As part of this initiative, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the Azerbaijan Space Agency, Azercosmos, and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

“This landmark declaration highlighted our united commitment to tackling the severe challenges of climate change, especially for small and other vulnerable states. The Government of Azerbaijan’s allocation of US$10 million to support climate action in small states – especially those impacted by sea level rise – underscores the importance of taking real action at COP29 and serves as a testament to Azerbaijan’s dedication. Mr Ali Serim, fierce climate advocate and Special Envoy of Vanuatu to COP29, has been instrumental in guiding this funding who also serves as my Special Representative” stated Baroness Scotland.

COP29, scheduled from 11 to 22 November 2024, places a strong emphasis on climate finance and global cooperation.

The Commonwealth, an association of 56 countries, represents a combined population of approximately 2.7 billion people, with over 60% under the age of 29. The Commonwealth’s economic size was estimated at $13.1 trillion in 2021, projected to grow to $19.5 trillion by 2027. This substantial demographic and economic presence underscore the Commonwealth’s influence and its capacity to lead climate action, particularly with small and other vulnerable states.