BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11. COP29 represents a pivotal moment to chart a new path in the global fight against climate change, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and the President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev said at the opening ceremony of the conference in Baku today, Trend reports.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicates that the world is currently on track for a global temperature rise of 3 degrees Celsius, which would be catastrophic for billions of people and threaten entire communities, Babayev pointed out.
“The world is heading toward disaster, and this is not a problem for the future. Climate change has already begun, from floods in Spain to wildfires in Australia, from rising sea levels in the Pacific to parched lands in Africa. People are already suffering and dying,” he said.
He stressed that affected communities need more than just compassion, prayers, and paperwork—they are calling for leadership and concrete action.
“COP29 is an important moment to pave the way forward for all of us,” Babayev emphasized.
“The COP29 Presidency extends its sincere gratitude to all parties, delegates, observers, civil society members, indigenous communities, and climate activists who have gathered here today. This conference will be conducted in an inclusive, transparent, and participatory way. We are proud to share Azerbaijani hospitality with you, to showcase our national heritage and natural beauty, and to foster new friendships grounded in sincerity, openness, and mutual respect," he added.