Baku: Climate-vulnerable developing countries are facing multifaceted challenges that extend beyond climate change, as noted by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev. During the session titled 'High-Level Dialogue: Beyond Aid to Capacity Development,' organized within the Islamic Development Bank Annual Meetings in Baku, Rafiyev spoke on the pressing issues these countries encounter, which include development needs, institutional capacity gaps, humanitarian pressures, and the growing demand for sustainable public services.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Azerbaijan has taken proactive steps within the COP29 framework by launching the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief and Recovery. This initiative aims to ensure that the most vulnerable nations are supported and not left behind. A significant outcome of this initiative is the establishment of the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub. The Hub is intended to assist climate-vulnerable countries through practical partnerships, technical assistance, capacity-building, and project preparation support.

Rafiyev emphasized that the primary goal of the Hub is to convert national priorities into investment-ready projects. He highlighted the importance of not just having access to financial resources but also possessing the institutional capacity and technical knowledge necessary to develop high-quality projects. He cited Guinea-Bissau as a recent example of these efforts, mentioning that Azerbaijan has initiated practical cooperation with the Government of Guinea-Bissau through the Baku Hub. He expressed optimism that this partnership will yield tangible results soon.