PRAGUE — Azerbaijan’s preparations for the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change are in full swing, with its chief negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev, attending pivotal meetings across Europe. According to Trend News Agency, Rafiyev participated in the 31st meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum in Prague, collaborating closely with OSCE’s coordinator Bakyt Yusupov on September 12-13. Their discussions focused on Azerbaijan’s strategic goals for COP29 and the broader OSCE contributions to combating climate change.

In a parallel effort on September 12, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev conducted several important meetings in Belgrade. The agenda centered on reinforcing bilateral cooperation to tackle critical climate challenges and enhancing the commitment to sustainable practices in the lead-up to the COP29 conference. These initiatives are part of Azerbaijan’s broader strategy to strengthen global partnerships in environmental governance.

The significance of COP29, scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan this November, is underscored by its host country’s rapid mobilization following the decision at last year’s COP28 in Dubai. Baku is expected to welcome between 70,000 to 80,000 international delegates, spotlighting its increasing role in global climate discussions. The COP29 serves as a platform for 198 countries to negotiate and oversee the implementation of climate change mitigation strategies under the umbrella of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, established during the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992.