The Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW 2024), taking place from September 30 to October 4, 2024, continued on Tuesday with plenary sessions and discussions on various topics.

In his opening remarks, Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, COP29 President-Designate highlighted the devastating impacts of climate change on water, food and agriculture.

“If we don’t take action, these devastating impacts will become the norm around the world. Climate change is estimated to make some severe droughts 100 times more frequent. A global temperature increase of 2 degrees is predicted to push nearly 200 million more people into hunger. The stresses on water and agricultural systems, here and abroad, are only going to get harder. We must build resilient food and water systems to adapt to a changing climate. That means more funding, research, and implementation of new systems,” the COP29 President-Designate said.

Majnun Mammadov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Agriculture, underscored the significance of water systems in terms of climate action. In this vein, he mentioned the modernization of irrigation systems in Azerbaijan, establishment of efficient water management, and investing in renewables.

The Agriculture Minister stressed that the COP29 Conference would see the concrete discussions concerning food, water and agriculture on November 19.

The event continued with panel sessions, reports on various topics, as well as discussions.

The week will focus on essential themes delivered in partnership with local, national, and international collaborators. This year's key themes include Energy Transition, Cities/Built Environment, Water Security, Food & Agriculture, SMEs, and Green Skills. The first half of the week (September 30 to October 2) will showcase climate solutions involving public institutions, academia, and the private sector and will feature a high-level international conference.

Following the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week, BCAW will amplify the momentum towards the Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C announced by the COP Presidencies Troika and support the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda.

The second half (October 3-4) will focus on contributions from science, academia, arts, and culture, highlighting Baku’s rich cultural heritage as a backdrop to explore the country's transition. This segment will feature immersive experiences such as walks, talks, and exhibitions. Additionally, this part of the week will serve as a platform to work on and sign key pledges, further solidifying commitments to climate action and collaboration.

BCAW demonstrates Azerbaijan's commitment to taking on a significant role in national green transformations, showcasing regional leadership ahead of COP29. The gathering will be a crucial inflection point for fostering discourse around the green transition, rooted in local and regional realities. Additionally, BCAW will strive to support Azerbaijan’s transition through new collaborations, investments, and partnerships with organizations that share a commitment to sustainable development and climate action.

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