Africa Praises Azerbaijan’s Role in Climate Action and Peacebuilding at UNFCCC Forum
Addis Ababa, The Gulf Observer: African officials and international partners have praised Azerbaijan for its proactive diplomacy in advancing climate action and peacebuilding, during the “Vulnerable Countries Forum” convened on the sidelines of the UNFCCC African Climate Week (ACW). The event was jointly organized by Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency and the Baku Center for Climate and Peace Action, according to media reports.
In her opening remarks, Ethiopia’s Minister of Planning and Development, Fitsum Adela, thanked Azerbaijan for its sustained engagement with African nations facing the dual challenges of climate change and conflict. She underlined the significance of the Baku Peace Call, adopted during COP29 in Baku last year.
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Africa, and Francesco Corvaro, Italy’s Special Representative on Climate, commended the Baku Center for quickly emerging as a major international platform for collaboration on climate and peace issues since its establishment in 2023.
Chairing the forum, Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed appreciation for the recognition of COP29’s efforts to connect climate action with peacebuilding. He highlighted that the Baku Center enjoys the backing of over 30 countries, multiple multilateral bodies, and more than 300 international NGOs. He noted that pilot projects supported by international partners and financial institutions are already underway in three countries, addressing challenges faced by nearly 20 of the world’s most vulnerable nations.
Representatives from Chad, Iraq, and Guinea-Bissau showcased pilot projects supported by the Baku Center, praising the expertise and technical assistance extended by the COP29 Presidency.
Panel discussions brought together African officials and representatives from the Green Climate Fund, International Organization for Migration, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP), African Development Bank (AfDB), Adaptation Fund, and other international institutions. They voiced support for expanding cooperation to tackle urgent challenges such as water scarcity, land degradation, food insecurity, and climate-induced migration.
The forum concluded with agreement to present the outcomes of these initiatives at the High-Level Dialogue of the Baku Center for Climate and Peace Action during COP30.
