BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. Azerbaijan has organized COP29 at a high level, the Senior Advisor to the US President for International Climate Policy John Podesta said during a briefing on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Trend reports.
"I recognize the hard work and professionalism of the COP team in Azerbaijan, led by Minister Babayev," he said.
Podesta emphasized that at COP29 and beyond, the private sector must remain at the forefront, driving larger and more impactful investments in clean energy technologies, fostering innovation, and advancing the transition to a zero-emission economy.
"And we will continue to be subnational players in the US and around the world, leading the charge," he added.
Podesta also referred to the devastating climate events this fall, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton that struck the southeastern US, claiming hundreds of lives and leaving communities without power and water for weeks.
"The worst drought in decades in southern Africa is putting 20 million children at risk of malnutrition and even starvation. Wildfires and droughts are ravaging the Amazon and Pantanal, destroying indigenous communities and burning an area the size of Switzerland. In Spain, catastrophic floods have dumped as much rain in a single day as was seen in an entire year. In Asia, Typhoon Yagi—one of the most powerful storms of the season—claimed hundreds of lives and caused $60 billion in damage across the Philippines and Myanmar. This is no hoax. This is reality. It’s a matter of life and death. Fortunately, many in our country and across the globe are working tirelessly to prepare the world for this new, unforgiving reality," Podesta said.
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