BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Andrew Harper, Special Advisor on Climate Action to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, led a session at ADA University titled “Displaced and at Increasing Risk: The Impact of the Climate Crisis.” As part of the "29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29" series, the session focused on the urgent need to protect climate-displaced communities and ensure their inclusion in global climate policies, Trend reports.
Dr. Fariz Ismailzade, Vice Rector of ADA University, welcomed participants, stressing the importance of addressing climate change and displacement. Nasar Hayat, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., introduced Harper, highlighting his critical role in guiding UNHCR’s response to the climate crisis and managing major refugee crises.
In the interactive session, expertly moderated by Damjan Krnjević Mišković, Professor of Practice at ADA University, Harper emphasized the compounded vulnerabilities faced by refugees displaced by conflict and further impacted by climate change. He noted that displaced communities, particularly women and children, bear a disproportionate burden due to a lack of resources and adaptive capacity. The discussion also centered on the need for channeling climate finance to these vulnerable populations and ensuring their inclusion in global climate policies, especially in the lead-up to COP29.
Within his visit to Azerbaijan, to attend the 3rd Meeting of the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, Harper met with COP29 President-Designate, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, and Senior Adviser to the COP29 Chief Negotiator, Ambassador Elshad Iskandarov. The discussions underscored Azerbaijan's preparations for COP29 and stressed the importance of including forcibly displaced populations in consultations and decision-making, particularly regarding the Loss and Damage Fund, adaptation mechanisms, and overall COP negotiations.
During the interactions, Harper highlighted the significance of addressing human security, especially for women and children, who are most affected by climate change and displacement. Expressing optimism about Azerbaijan’s leadership and contribution to global climate solutions, he emphasized the importance of reinforcing the need for global cooperation and stronger climate financing to safeguard and protect vulnerable communities.
The "29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29" series, led by the United Nations in Azerbaijan, aims to foster collaboration and dialogue across sectors in preparation for COP29, which will be held in Baku in November 2024.