On October 10th-11th, Baku hosted Pre-COP, organised by the COP29 Presidency and attended by government and non-government stakeholders. On the second day of this gathering, the COP29 Azerbaijan OC held a briefing.
A diverse array of stakeholders attended the briefing, aimed at informing Pre-COP participants about the comprehensive preparationsunderway for COP29, which is scheduled to take place in Baku this November. The focus included current initiatives as well as upcoming challenges and priorities.
The briefing began with an opening speech by Narmin Jarchalova, Chair of the COP29 Azerbaijan OC and Chief Operating Officer for COP29. Ms. Jarchalova highlighted that only a few weeksremain until the world convenes in Baku for the yearly climate conference. She emphasised that preparations are in their final stages, with operations progressing in line with the established timeline across all areas. She remarked, “The construction and installation phase at Baku Stadium is nearing completion, and we are now in the final stages. The venue is set to be handed over to the UNFCCC by this November.” Ms.Jarchalova went on to detail the ongoing work at the venue, including the zoning for various purposes, activities within the Blue and Green Zones, established infrastructure, and processes that are nearing completion.
The briefing placed strong emphasis on sustainability principles across all operations . It was noted that the venue fully complies with sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity requirements. The measures implemented to foster an inclusive environment at the stadium and ensure sustainable operations were also highlighted.
Ismayil Isayev, a member of the COP29 Coordination Board, then provided detailed insights into the processes and services organised at the venue and across Baku to ensure a positive visitor experience during COP29. He outlined the hospitality arrangements and opportunities available, as well as the Conference and media services provided. Mr.Isayev also addressed the accreditation and registration processes put in place to ensure to facilitate participation of delegations and guests visiting Azerbaijan. He also outlined the procedure for obtaining the COP29 Special Visa, initiatives to enhance navigation and information access throughout the city, and various organisational and technical procedures aimed at streamlining operations.
Another member of the COP29 Coordination Board, Shahla Abbakirova, discussed the World Leaders Climate Action Summit scheduled for the early days of COP29. She provided participants with insights into the organisational aspects of key events and meetings planned for that period. Ms. Abbakirova elaborated on the arrangements for world leaders travelling to Baku for the summit, including the route from the airport to the venue, available services, and the summit programme.
Orkhan Mahmudlu, Head of Transport and City Operations at the COP29 Azerbaijan OC, emphasised that a well-organised transport scheme is crucial for successfully hosting COP29. He highlighted that a series of coordinated measures have been put in place and introduced guests to a newly created interactive city map. Mr. Mahmudlu stated that to ensure seamless movement for visitors during COP29 while safeguarding the comfort of city residents, multiple transport hubs will be established at strategic locations throughout the city. Regular services will be provided across various modes of transportation, including taxis, buses, and shuttles. He also discussed the planning and security measures in place to facilitate travel for delegations to and from the COP29 venue.