Baku: The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) began in Baku, Azerbaijan, with world leaders emphasizing the urgency of addressing climate-induced disasters.

In his inaugural address, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted the escalating global crisis caused by climate change and called for united efforts to tackle these challenges. Echoing this sentiment, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, President of COP28, stressed the need for concrete actions to build on the consensus reached during the previous summit in Dubai.

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, underscored the pivotal role of the UNFCCC process as a platform for nations to hold each other accountable and work collaboratively. He urged leaders to set a new global goal for climate finance, emphasizing the wide-reaching impacts of the climate crisis on food security, energy costs, and economic stability.

Nepal’s Contribution and Priorities
Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel arrived in Baku to lead the Nepali delegation, with a focus on advocating for mountain safety and addressing climate vulnerabilities in developing nations. During his participation, President Paudel will present evidence of Nepal's increasing climate challenges, including floods and landslides, exacerbated by global carbon emissions.

Welcoming President Paudel at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Azerbaijan’s Minister for Justice Farid Turab Ahmadov acknowledged Nepal’s pressing concerns. President Paudel emphasized the need for developed countries to reduce emissions and fulfill their commitments to the climate fund, ensuring financial support for nations disproportionately affected by climate change.

Over 192 countries are represented at COP29, with heads of government and high-ranking officials aiming to solidify global strategies for combating climate-induced challenges and advancing sustainable solutions.