Cape town: Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova delivered a compelling address on ‘Strengthening resilience and response to disasters’ at the 11th Summit of Parliamentary Speakers of the ‘Group of Twenty’ (G20), known as P20, held in South Africa. Gafarova highlighted the escalating phenomenon of climate change and its growing impact on nations worldwide, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate global interventions.
According to Trend News Agency, Gafarova called for the establishment of international frameworks and commitments to transform climate change ideas into concrete national actions and plans. She stressed the importance of global cooperation and collective support in successfully implementing these measures. The speaker underscored the proactive role of parliaments in adapting to climate change and reducing risks, aligning these efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Gafarova highlighted Azerbaijan’s legislative advancements, noting that the Azerbaijani Parliament has passed numerous laws related to environmental protection, civil defense, and other sectors to mitigate climate change effects. She mentioned Azerbaijan’s National Adaptation Plan, which aligns with global adaptation goals and risk reduction frameworks, and detailed steps to enhance legislative adaptation measures.
She also praised Azerbaijan’s role in hosting the successful COP29 conference, where the ‘Baku Climate Solidarity Pact’ was recognized by the United Nations. The pact included significant outcomes such as the Baku Finance Goal, operationalization of the Paris Agreement’s Article 6, the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund, and the establishment of the Baku Adaptation Roadmap.
Gafarova further elaborated on Azerbaijan’s efforts to synergize parliamentary initiatives against climate change in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union during COP29. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration for achieving optimal results in addressing shared global challenges.
The G20 serves as a crucial platform for dialogue among the world’s leading economies, addressing significant economic and financial challenges. In parallel, the P20, or Parliament20, provides a forum for legislators from G20 nations to enhance collaboration on international issues and support the implementation of G20 resolutions. This innovative framework strengthens the connection between G20 discussions and parliamentary actions.