27 May, 2024

COP29 Team show strong commitment to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados


The COP29 President-Designate, Mukhtar Babayev, and Lead Negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev, joined global leaders for the 4th International Conference on Small Island Development (SIDS4) in Antigua & Barbuda in late May. SIDS4 brings the international community together to ensure that small island states, particularly vulnerable to climate change, are at the forefront of climate solutions.

The protection of small island states is a priority for the COP29 Presidency, as well as ensuring SIDS have a voice in all climate discussions. It was important to see and hear firsthand the particular challenges faced by small island developing states, and how the international community can support them.

The COP29 team held many productive dialogues and discussions with leaders, governments, and representatives of small island states from around the globe. After successful engagements in Antigua and Barbuda, the COP29 team visited Barbados where they were warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the government of Barbados, and many representatives of NGOs and civil society groups.

A highlight of the trip was a tour of Holetown's coastal protection infrastructure and Six Men’s fishing village to see the effects that beach erosion has on coastal settlements, and understand the challenges faced by local fisheries. There were also crucial insights into addressing water scarcity on small island, and firsthand sightlines into the sustainable management of natural resources in both the marine and terrestrial environment.

The COP29 Presidency will continue to collaborate with the international community to ensure that Small Island Developing States have an important voice at COP29.

Other news

COP29 Presidency Attends Petersberg Climate Dialogue

The COP29 Presidency attended the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, alongside high-level representatives from around 40 countries to discuss concrete steps towards overcoming the climate crisis and strengthening confidence in the multilateral climate system.    During the summit, the COP29 President collaborated with high-level and ministerial actors to emphasise the COP29 Presidency’s priorities for the year ahead and underline its support for the COP30 Presidency of Brazil. This includes discussing next steps towards the successful delivery of the Baku-to-Belem roadmap.   During the conference, the COP29 president attended several key engagements and held important bilateral meetings.    Speaking engagements   Delivered an address to the plenary focusing on the stepping stones to COP30 Co-led, with the COP30 Presidency, a roundtable with UNFCCC Constituencies   Bilateral meetings   Bilateral with Ms. Fatma Varank, Deputy Minister Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Turkiye Bilateral with Mr. Kioshi Igarashi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Environment of Japan  Bilateral with Mr. Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister of Climate and Environment of Nepal Bilateral with Mr. Li Gao, Vice-minister of Ecology and Environment of China  Bilateral with Mrs. Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and Environment Bilateral with Mr. Urosh Vajlgl, State Secretary for Environmental and Climate Policy for Slovenia Bilateral with Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC Bilateral with Mr. Ary Sudijanto, Deputy Minister of Climate Change and Carbon Pricing Governance for Indonesia Bilateral with Mr. Khalid Ahmehaid, Deputy Minister of Sustainability and Climate Change, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bilateral with Mr. Lars Aagard, Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark Bilateral with Mr. Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment of South Africa   The engagements in Berlin provided an opportunity for the COP29 Presidency to remind everyone that as we look ahead to COP30, we all have a responsibility to show tangible progress on the implementation of the commitments we have made.

26 Mar, 2025

COP29 Presidency welcomes Joint Statement by the Network of vulnerable countries

The COP29 Presidency is delighted to congratulate the Network of Climate-Vulnerable Countries Affected by Conflicts or High Levels of Humanitarian Needs on the adoption of significant position documents following the Network’s First Strategy Meeting held in Abu Dhabi on 26–27 February 2025.   Organised by the COP29 Presidency and hosted by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the meeting brought together high-level representatives of climate-conflict-vulnerable countries, international organizations, and financial institutions. Over the course of the meeting, the participants discussed practical steps to unlock climate finance and strengthen national capacities, with a view to better addressing the impacts of environmental vulnerability and conflict.   Following the meeting, Network members concluded the work on a significant Joint Statement, underscoring the urgent objective of reaching targeted solutions of increased financing, transparent policy frameworks and joint actions. The adopted statement also highlights the Network’s Roadmap of both vision and timeframe of joint actions, including the development of scalable pilot projects.   The COP29 Presidency also thanks fellow State parties for high evaluation in the documents of COP29 Presidency leadership in further advancing the cause of vulnerable countries, in particular the endorsement of the landmark Baku Call  on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery and its practical arm Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub (Baku Hub) developed within a unique partnership of Azerbaijani COP Presidency with Co-lead partners. Thus the Joint Statement recognized “the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub (Baku Hub), forming for the first time in the history of climate diplomacy a concrete mechanism aimed at at “fostering further action to deliver on identified solutions” for the benefit of climate-vulnerable and conflict-affected countries”.   We also welcome the joint stance by Network members, donor countries and other stakeholders to maintain momentum in the lead-up to key international forums, including the 2025 high-level climate and development summits, in coordination with the Baku Hub and its Co-lead partnership. The COP29 Presidency reiterates its commitment to further engage through the Baku Hub with all relevant partners for supporting the Network and delivering on shared objectives, while strengthening national capacities, forging joint action in line with our declared vision of “Solidarity for a green world.”

18 Mar, 2025

COP29 Presidency attended the Sustainable Energy for All conference in Barbados

The COP29 Presidency attended the Sustainable Energy for All conference, the leading forum for international leaders and UN officials to discuss how capital can be better directed towards sustainable energy.    During the summit, the Presidency collaborated with the public, private and charitable actors present in Barbados to emphasise the urgency of accelerating the clean energy transition and the critical role that climate finance can play in enabling it.    During the conference, the COP29 President attended several engagements and held important bilateral meetings.   Speaking engagements   Delivered an address to the opening plenary on the critical role of sustainable energy in driving global progress. Delivered remarks at a panel discussion with the COP30 Presidency focusing on the Road towards Belém COP30.   Bilateral meetings   Bilateral with Mr Selwin Hart, UNSG Special Adviser, Assistant-Secretary General for Climate Action Team. Trilateral with UNFCC ES Mr Simon Stiell and COP30 President Designate Mr André Aranha Corrêa do Lago. Bilateral with Ms Damilola Ogunbiyi, the CEO and Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General for SEforALL. Bilateral with Ms Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director, Green Climate Fund. Bilateral with HE Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. Bilateral with Dr Armstrong Alexis and Dr James Fletcher, representatives from CARICOM.   The engagements in Barbados provided an opportunity for the COP29 Presidency to remind everyone that amidst challenges to the multilateral system, the benefits of the COP process remain and can deliver for people around the world.

14 Mar, 2025