The COP29 Presidency announced today that the Government of Azerbaijan will fund the participation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at COP29, as well as in the preparatory meetings preceding the Conference.

The COP29 Presidency is committed to running an inclusive process that delivers tangible outcomes. Central to this inclusive process will be the active participation of those particularly vulnerable communities who stand to lose the most from the climate crisis.

Funding will cover the participation of delegations from each SIDS Party at COP29 as well as at the preparatory meetings preceding the Conference, encompassing:

• Accommodation and daily subsistence allowance for four designated delegates for the duration of the conference and preparatory meetings.

• Flight tickets for four designated delegates to and from Baku.

The Government of Azerbaijan’s offer is in addition to the support provided through the UNFCCC’s Trust Fund for Participation (TFP), to which the Government of Azerbaijan has also pledged a contribution.

Funding attendance at COP is just one part of the Government of Azerbaijan’s efforts to support SIDS and to amplify their voices, including at the World Leaders Climate Action Summit from 12th to 13th November.

COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev recently joined the UN Secretary General, the Commonwealth Secretary-General and senior political figures at the 53rd Pacific Leaders Summit in Tonga, where he and Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC signed the “Joint Declaration by The Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and The Commonwealth Secretariat.”

The declaration sets out Azerbaijan’s commitment to support SIDS in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing their adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. To drive this work forward, the Government of Azerbaijan will be ready to allocate $10 million to provide support and fund projects to be delivered jointly with the Commonwealth Secretariat for at least a 5 (five) year period.

Highlighting Baku’s commitment to supporting SIDS, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr Ilham Aliyev has said that “helping small island states for us is something we consider as our moral duty. We can promise you that the issue of small island states and their support, and their protection will be at the center of discussions [at COP29].”

Commenting on funding for SIDS, COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev said, “We will not have an inclusive process if we do not take every measure to ensure participation from frontline communities. We need these perspectives and experiences to guide our approach and strongly believe in our moral duty to support these nations. Funding for delegations from SIDS will ensure that the communities with the most at stake in our collective climate efforts can join us in Baku as we work to keep 1.5 within reach while leaving no one behind.”