BAKU — At the recent ‘Law and Climate’ international conference, Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and President of COP29, announced that harmonizing climate legislation would be a focal point of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship at the upcoming COP29. This initiative underscores Azerbaijan’s commitment to leading global efforts toward a green economy.

According to Trend News Agency, Minister Babayev emphasized Azerbaijan’s role in strengthening international partnerships through enhanced climate action. “Harmonization of climate legislation will be the most important aspect during Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of COP 29,” Babayev stated, highlighting the country’s position as a reliable partner in addressing global environmental challenges.

The conference also served as a platform to discuss the expansion of legal instruments that address the global climate crisis and promote international cooperation. Babayev outlined the inclusive nature of the upcoming COP29, which will engage a diverse range of stakeholders including states, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, eco-activists, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

Furthermore, Babayev spoke about an agreement with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, crafted to enhance public participation in climate discussions—a testament to the issue’s critical importance. “This agreement binds us. Azerbaijan’s climate change adaptation and sustainable development should get international support,” he noted, acknowledging the global support necessary for effective climate change strategies.

Babayev expressed optimism that the discussions at the conference would propel forward international climate law and climate justice, leveraging Azerbaijan’s unique position to maximize the benefits from hosting COP29.