The COP29 Presidency has today hosted the second meeting of its International Advisory Committee (IAC), bringing together eminent international leaders and valuable perspectives on climate action.
Discussions were moderated by Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador (2017-2018) and former Minister of Defense of Ecuador (2012-2014). Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia (1997-2007) and Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center was guest of honour at the meeting.
In the meeting, further progress was made in operationalising the five contact groups within the Committee. These groups will support the COP29 Presidency on key parts of this year’s negotiations, covering climate finance, Article 6, mitigation, adaptation and the wider thematic programming for COP29.
The COP29 IAC was established to represent diverse voices on climate action from different areas including finance, government, academia, entrepreneurship and civil society. This group provides guidance and expert advice to the COP29 Presidency on key issues relating to climate change, offering sector-specific geopolitical, market and other expert advice and knowledge.
Acting as a consultative body to the COP29 Presidency, the COP29 IAC helps to facilitate international collaboration and partnerships that enhance and promote COP29 initiatives, and in reviewing and providing feedback on COP strategies, policies, and programmes. The COP29 IAC also provides strategic guidance on engaging with Parties and non-Party stakeholders to propose and promote practical solutions for climate-related topics that will support COP29’s outcomes.
Addressing the COP29 IAC, COP29 President-Designate, H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology of Azerbaijan and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan expressed gratitude for the continued support and engagement of the committee members, emphasizing the importance of their expertise in shaping the COP29 agenda. He acknowledged the recent milestones achieved in the climate negotiations and the significance of the first Letter to Parties and Constituencies, which outlines the COP29 Presidency’s key priorities.
COP29 Chief Negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Yalchin Rafiyev touched upon matters related to the COP29 ongoing negotiations, Presidency Action Agenda and initiatives, as well as transparency issues related to the Paris Agreement. Climate Change High Level Chempion of COP29 Ms Nigar Arpadarai gave an insight on work with non-state actors and the private sector.
COP29 High-Level Climate Champion Nigar Arpadarai informed the Board about the upcoming events under the auspices of the COP29 High-Level Champion, with Baku Climate Action Week scheduled to take place from Monday, 30 September, to Friday, 4 October. In partnership with London Climate Action Week—the world’s largest city-based, whole-of-society climate action event—Baku Climate Action Week will feature a series of high-level international conferences as well as multistakeholder local and community events.
Members of the International Advisory Committee (IAC), including prominent leaders such as Ismail Serageldin, Jean Baderschneider, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Reyhan Jamalova, Hindou Oumaru Ibrahim, and Patricia Espinosa, have collectively emphasized the critical importance of transformative actions in agriculture, carbon markets, inclusive climate finance, urban solutions, and the vital role of women and marginalized communities in the preparation and successful outcomes of COP29.
Participants then joined COP29 President-Designate Mukthar Babayev to celebrate International Indigenous Peoples Day, recognizing the extraordinary role of Indigenous Communities in protecting our planet and pledging the COP29 Presidency’s commitment to their meaningful inclusion at COP29.
During the virtual meeting, COP29 President Designate Mukhtar Babayev announced that the next meeting of the COP29 International Advisory Committee will be held in person during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York.
