BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 14. A panel discussion on the topic "COP29: Breakthrough to Belém – Accelerating Transformation" is taking place as part of the XII Global Baku Forum, Trend reports.
The discussion includes former Vice President of ExxonMobil and head of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery Jean Baderschneider, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Boris Johnson (video address), Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Maimunah Mohd Sharif, President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador María Fernanda Espinosa, President of the World Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, Chair of the UN SDSN Global Climate Hub, Director of AE4RIA Phoebe Koundouri, Chair of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga Lord Fakafanua, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization from 2016 through 2018, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan Rashid Alimov, President of Liberal International Hakima El Haite, and former Minister of Environment of Peru Manuel Pulgar Vidal.
Speaking during a panel discussion Rashid Alimov noted that agreements reached at COP29 in Baku under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship have instilled great hope.
"The agreements reached under Azerbaijan's chairmanship at COP29 inspire great hope. In particular, the Loss and Damage Fund, which was fully launched at COP27 in Italy, has been a long-awaited solution. The fund must operate efficiently, transparently, and promptly, responding to the needs of countries that are in dire need of this support. And of course, the most important thing is ensuring that the fund receives the necessary financing," he said.
Alimov also articulated that Tajikistan is strategically positioning itself to achieve a comprehensive transition to renewable energy modalities by the year 2032.
"Today, 98 percent of the electricity in Tajikistan is produced through hydropower. The country is 93 percent mountainous, with glaciers, thousands of lakes, and 1,450 rivers, which serve as a source of drinking water for 80 million people in our region," he added.
In turn, the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Maimunah Mohd Sharif emphasized that successful climate problem-solving requires the combination of global solutions with local actions.
Speaking during a panel discussion, Mohd Sharif emphasized that cities, which make up just two percent of the Earth's surface, consume 70 percent of the energy and produce 70 percent of carbon emissions.
She also noted that by the year 2050, 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities, underscoring the importance of incorporating urban areas into global climate strategies.
"For addressing climate issues, it is essential to consider the role of local governments and communities that face the direct impacts of climate change, such as floods, fires, and water shortages. Cities can become a crucial part of the climate solution if they are integrated into global climate initiatives," the mayor said.
Former Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa stated that countries need to raise their ambitions to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets and effectively combat climate change.
"We need to rethink our development models, as in climate negotiations, we are essentially discussing ways of life, as well as methods of production and consumption," she noted.
The former minister also pointed out that, despite years of trying to turn the tide, carbon emissions keep climbing higher.
"Last year, we had a deadline for submitting NDCs, and only 13 countries met it. Nevertheless, several countries, including Ecuador, continued to work on fulfilling their commitments," added Maria Fernanda Espinosa.
She also highlighted the importance of a multilateral approach and the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities," particularly for countries with a low carbon footprint, such as Ecuador.
"If all countries fulfill their NDCs, it will not be enough to reach the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We must increase our ambitions to achieve carbon neutrality," she concluded.
Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
