BAKU — During the Baku Climate Action Week, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, highlighted the critical importance of the upcoming COP29, pointing to escalating global climate challenges.

According to Trend News Agency, Stiell addressed the urgency of addressing climate change ahead of the November conference. He cited recent extreme weather patterns, including record temperatures and unusual climatic events, as stark reminders of the climate crisis. “The World Meteorological Organization has confirmed that 2023 was the hottest year on record, with ocean temperatures exhibiting alarming fluctuations. These are not predictions of what may come; they are the realities we face today,” Stiell explained.

Stiell commended the Azerbaijani government for hosting the upcoming COP29, which will focus on crucial issues such as energy transition, urban resilience, sustainable financing, and the management of water resources and agriculture. He underscored that these themes place Azerbaijan at the forefront of the global climate discussion this year.

Baku Climate Action Week, running from September 30 to October 4, 2024, serves as a precursor to COP29, assembling stakeholders from various sectors, including politics, finance, trade, and the arts, to forge a unified front against climate change. The week is split into two phases: the initial days dedicated to hands-on climate solution discussions involving government, academia, and industry, followed by sessions focused on science, education, and culture.

Stiell’s remarks underline the significant role of COP29 in shaping international climate policy and action, stressing that the outcomes of this conference will be pivotal in the global fight against climate change.