Baku: Mukhtar Babayev, the Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and COP29 President, emphasized the increased complexity of climate cooperation compared to a decade ago during a roundtable at the Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW2026), organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Babayev reflected on the progress since the adoption of the Paris Agreement nearly ten years ago, noting that the global landscape has changed significantly. He pointed out that the world has experienced a pandemic, conflicts, energy crises, inflation, and growing geopolitical competition, all of which have complicated the implementation of the agreement.

Babayev highlighted the increasing severity of climate impacts, with global military spending nearing $3 trillion annually. He underscored the challenges posed by extreme heat, droughts, floods, and wildfires, which threaten cities, water and food systems, and can result in significant setbacks.

Babayev stated that climate cooperation conditions are more challenging now than they were a decade ago, and stressed the importance of integrating climate action with national priorities. He argued that the energy transition should enhance energy security and affordability, while adaptation measures must safeguard economies, infrastructure, and communities. He emphasized that demonstrating how climate action supports development, competitiveness, and resilience is crucial for sustaining political support.

In discussing implementation, Babayev acknowledged the progress made through consecutive COPs in building a broad global climate architecture, with established goals, plans, institutions, and financial mechanisms. However, he pointed out the persistent gap between reaching agreements and achieving tangible results, suggesting that efforts should extend beyond the COP process itself.