COP29 Presidency Team
Mukhtar Babayev
COP29 President-Designate
In 2010, Mr. Babayev was elected to the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, where he served as a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, Energy and Ecology. Before entering politics, Mr. Babayev worked at the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), where in his role as Vice-President for Ecology he developed and oversaw the company’s sustainability and environmental efforts.
In his role as COP29 President-Designate, H.E. Mukhtar Babayev will develop and advance the Presidency’s Plan, bring the Parties together, ensure that Parties fulfill their previous promises, and push for greater ambition so that the world can meet the goals and ambitions of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Yalchin Rafiyev
COP29 Lead Negotiator
He has led the International Security Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan for some five years. Mr. Rafiyev holds an Honours degree from Baku State University and has completed post-graduate programs at the NATO Defense College and the International Anti-Corruption Academy.
In his role as Lead Negotiator, Mr. Rafiyev will work with the 198 Parties to the UNFCCC to build consensus and refine potential landing zones for the negotiations based on a shared vision of success, all within a fair and transparent process.
Elnur Soltanov
Chief Executive Officer of COP29
Narmin Jarchalova
Chair of COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company and Chief Operating Officer for COP29
Nigar Arpadarai
Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29
Leyla Hasanova
Youth Climate Champion for COP29