Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova addressed the Leaders' Summit within the framework of the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) taking place in the city of Belém of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

In her speech, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis provided detailed information about the significant achievements secured at COP29 hoste by Azerbaijan. According to her, despite major obstacles and uncertainties, Azerbaijan led by President Ilham Aliyev delivered one of the most successful COPs, resolutely driving this process forward. At COP29, Azerbaijan was able to eliminate differences between the parties and achieve a historic consensus on issues that could not be resolved in previous negotiations.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova recalled that at COP29 Azerbaijan secured the adoption of the Baku Financial Commitment, which provides for the mobilisation of USD 300 billion for the developing countries annually starting in 2025. According to Sahiba Gafarova, this is the largest financial package achieved to date within the United Nations framework. Furthermore, a goal was set at COP29 to increase the annual climate finance for the developing countries to at least USD 1.3 trillion by 2035. Azerbaijan had closely co-operated with the Brazilian side in developing the Baku-Belém Roadmap in order to secure this goal.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis also recalled that COP29 achieved outstanding results in implementing a number of other key mandates it had undertaken. According to her, one of those was the completion of the rules regulating carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, making it fully operational a decade after the Paris Agreement was adopted.

It was further said that COP29 also ensured the full operation of the Loss and Damage Fund starting in 2025 and its preparedness to disburse the resources. The Enhanced Transparency Framework was also activated, which was an important step in ensuring transparency and accountability in the global climate action. Furthermore, agreement was reached on a wide range of important mandates related to loss mitigation, adaptation, gender issues, issues of indigenous peoples and other interconnected priorities.

Talking about Azerbaijan's significant focus on supporting the most vulnerable groups, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis emphasised that our country made this commitment a key element of her COP29 presidency. To this end, Azerbaijan provided financial support to facilitate the participation of representatives from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at COP29. Azerbaijan organised a special conference for SIDS during the Leaders' Summit at COP29, providing a platform for their specific concerns and priorities to be heard at a high political level.

It was mentioned in the address that the COP29 Presidency prepared an Action Agenda consisting of 14 initiatives covering all the key aspects of the Paris Agreement. The main goal of this agenda is not only to set targets but also to ensure the creation of necessary infrastructure and the implementation of practical measures to achieve them. However, it was pointed out, beyond these results, COP29 also restored trust in the multilateral system. According to Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, COP29 demonstrated that even during a period of geopolitical tension, distrust and economic uncertainty, countries can still unite and act jointly for the sake of common interests. This was a genuine demonstration of the triumph of multilateralism, which Azerbaijan managed to secure despite persistent challenges.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis further stated that Azerbaijan, together with the COP28 and COP30 Presidencies, demonstrated a firm commitment to promoting the ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Azerbaijan also showed the same determination in preparing its own NDCs. Specifically, it set a goal to achieve the targets set for 2050 fifteen years ahead of schedule, aiming to realise these goals during the next NDC cycle by 2035. This reflects our unwavering commitment to climate action, even under conditions wherein we continue large-scale restoration and mine-clearance work in the twenty per cent of our territories that were occupied and destroyed over the last three decades.

In conclusion of her address, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis reiterated that, following the creation of favourable conditions for climate action within the framework of COP29, COP30 provides another opportunity for the further advancement of climate plans. Azerbaijan is ready to support the COP30 Presidency entirely and to contribute to the realisation of its vision as an 'Implementation COP'. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova called for support to Brazil in this important process, for crucial decisions to be taken and actions implemented that are of decisive importance for our planet and our future.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis