Baku: The Presidential Envoy for Climate Issues, Mukhtar Babayev, has emphasized the significant rise in weather-related disasters, which have increased fivefold over the past 50 years. Speaking at the first General Assembly of the Global South NGO Platform during the Baku Urban Week, Babayev underscored the broadening scope of climate change impacts beyond environmental issues to include water scarcity, food security, healthcare, migration, economic stability, and regional security.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Babayev highlighted that the World Meteorological Organization has confirmed 2024 as the hottest year on record globally, with average global temperatures approximately 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. The past decade is noted as the warmest period in modern history. The increase in weather-related disasters has contributed to global economic losses exceeding 4.3 trillion USD over the last half-century.

Babayev also pointed out that approximately 3.6 billion people reside in areas highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. International assessments reveal that nearly half of the global population faces severe water scarcity at some point each year, and around 2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water services. Additionally, air pollution is responsible for about 7 million premature deaths annually, illustrating the interconnectedness of climate change, environmental degradation, and public health.