BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 4. The climate science conference titled "Accelerating Research and Collaboration for Climate Action" has started in the final day of "Climate Action Week" dedicated to COP29 in Baku, TurkicWorld reports.
The day's primary topics are "Advancing Global Methane Reduction (AGMR) - Impact Assessment Conference", "Towards an Azerbaijan University Network on Climate Change (AUNCC)" and "Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)".
The speakers included UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 President Designate, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev, COP29 Youth Climate Advocate Leyla Hasanova, Director of the British Council in Azerbaijan Nargiz Hajiyeva, Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Taleh Kazimov, President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA) Zakir Nuriyev, CEO, Chairman of the Board of PASHA Bank Javid Guliyev, Vice President of SOCAR Afgan Isayev, bp Vice President for Communications and External Affairs in the Caspian Region Bakhtiyar Aslanbayli, bp's Methane and SMEs Program Lead Sonna Sathiamoorthy, and SLB Vice President Drew Pomerantz, and other officials.
Babayev said that world leaders will have to implement the Paris Agreement and the Global Climate Action Plan during COP29.
"Almost half of the world's children live in countries that are extremely vulnerable to climate change. Climate change impacts nearly 40 million children's access to education each year. However, the youth presentations at the COP conference highlighted that the UAE's consensus, which placed young people at the center of the climate agenda, had taken an important step.
To fulfill the promises of the Paris Agreement and provide climate solutions for future generations, we must enhance ambitions and boost actions, meaning that we need to review and strengthen overall climate goals and establish more ambitious parameters for national climate plans. This involves contributions from national governments, national adaptation plans, and clean transportation solutions. We must ensure the implementation of these initiatives and promote active climate action," he explained.
Furthermore, according to the official, a crucial element of this process will be enhancing cooperation and creating synergy among higher education institutions in Azerbaijan, which will help form a national scientific community ready to tackle climate challenges.
The Deputy Science and Education Minister of Azerbaijan Firudin Gurbanov said that the Ministry of Science and Education has developed an action plan in connection with COP29.
"Environmental awareness must be cultivated within secondary and tertiary educational institutions. Considering the significant significance of human capital in higher education, it is essential to enhance the development of educational programs in climate education. The Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan has created an action plan pertaining to COP29," he emphasized.
Kazimov said that Azerbaijani banks have committed to supporting the green transition within the framework of COP29.
"Financial stability is extremely important to us. Without it, the financial sector cannot support the green transition. This is a very important issue. Other participants in the financial sector also recognize the need for concrete actions. We have already begun working in this direction. Only by joining forces can we achieve the green transition. Banks have commitments to environmental protection and ensuring economic growth. Despite all difficulties, there are numerous opportunities we must seize," he said.
Kazimov pointed out that the CBA understands its responsibility in the green transition.
To note, this event will be a significant stepping stone in steering the climate agenda as we gear up for COP29, set to take place in Baku this November.
"Climate Action Week" brings together key participants from different spheres: politics, finance, trade, investment, science, art, culture, civil society, and media.
The first half of the week (from September 30 through October 2) was dedicated to discussing climate solutions with government agencies, academia, and the private sector, while the second half (October 3-4) will focus on science, education, arts, culture, and other sectors.
In addition, there will be a plethora of activities happening all throughout the nation's capital as part of Climate Week.
