Baku:President Ilham Aliyev addressed participants of the 2026 Pre-COP Leaders' Event, emphasizing Azerbaijan's commitment to advancing the global climate agenda.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, President Aliyev expressed gratitude to the governments of Fiji, Tuvalu, and Australia for organizing the event, highlighting its significance in bringing attention to the climate crisis. He noted that as the host of COP29, Azerbaijan is dedicated to ensuring that the outcomes from Baku contribute to the upcoming COP31 session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Aliyev acknowledged the existential threat climate change poses to countries like Tuvalu and Fiji, despite their minimal greenhouse gas emissions. He stressed the importance of supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and called for increased international cooperation to address their vulnerabilities. Azerbaijan has prioritized the concerns of SIDS, hosting leaders from the Bahamas, Tonga, and Tuvalu to adopt the Baku Communique, which calls for stronger global climate action.

The President also highlighted Azerbaijan's initiatives, including bilateral cooperation with SIDS and a Joint Declaration with the Commonwealth of Nations to support climate resilience projects. Azerbaijan is providing $10 million over five years for climate action in these countries, utilizing satellite data for environmental monitoring.

President Aliyev concluded by expressing solidarity with SIDS and support for the COP31 leadership of Türkiye and Australia, hoping the event will bolster collective climate efforts.