BAKU: The highly anticipated COP29 UN climate change conference opens on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together world leaders, experts, and activists to tackle the urgent environmental challenges facing the planet.

Running through Nov. 22, this year鈥檚 event is centered around the theme 鈥淚n Solidarity for a Green World.鈥�

With over 50,000 participants expected, including top industry leaders and policymakers, COP29 aims to drive global climate action. However, several key leaders 鈥� EU President Ursula von der Leyen, US President Joe Biden, and Brazil鈥檚 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva鈥攚ill be notably absent, according to Reuters.

COP29 has a special focus on climate finance, as parties aim to set a New Collective Quantified Goal on funding. 

Expectations are high as delegates prepare to discuss topics including carbon emissions reduction, sustainable development, and the integration of climate resilience into national policies. 

Azerbaijan is a significant producer of fossil fuels, just as last year鈥檚 host the UAE, but COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev told Arab News recently that hosting the conference is a sign of change.

鈥淟ike 萝莉视频, Azerbaijan has historically been a significant energy producer, particularly in oil and gas. Hosting COP29 signifies our shift from traditional energy sources to embracing renewable energy solutions,鈥� he said. 

鈥淭his event will allow us to showcase our ongoing efforts to diversify our energy mix, investing heavily in wind, solar, and hydrogen energy projects,鈥� he added. 

The conference aims to deliver support for urgent action and foster a sense of shared responsibility between international organizations. 

Babayev highlighted Azerbaijan鈥檚 role in coordinating global efforts. 鈥淲e hope that COP29 in Azerbaijan will serve as a platform for developing nations to voice their unique climate challenges and solutions.

鈥淎s a country that has faced environmental and economic transformation, Azerbaijan understands the delicate balance between development needs and climate responsibility,鈥� he said. 

He added: 鈥淲e can facilitate inclusive dialogues between the Global South and developed nations to ensure that climate action is equitable and just.鈥� 

Commenting on the country鈥檚 preparations for the influx of visitors, Babayev said: 鈥淚n terms of logistics and to ensure Baku is ready to host thousands of delegates from across the globe, we have been investing in the city鈥檚 infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.鈥� 

Moreover, investments are being made in expanding green public transportation options, enhancing conference facilities, and optimizing urban mobility to minimize environmental impact during the event, he stated.

鈥淎dditionally, we are committed to achieving a green COP by integrating renewable energy into the event鈥檚 operations and aiming for a zero-waste policy throughout the conference,鈥� said Babayev. 

Some of its established environmental protection initiatives, according to Babayev, include reforesting degraded areas and protecting the Caspian Sea. 

鈥淐OP29 will spotlight these initiatives and encourage international collaboration to replicate them.鈥� 

Although the path ahead is challenging, COP29 represents a crucial opportunity to turn ambition into tangible results for generations to come. 

鈥淲e are prepared to lead, innovate, and foster the international cooperation needed to tackle the climate crisis and build a more sustainable future for all,鈥� said Babayev.