UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted that the new finance goal agreed at the UN Climate Conference in Baku is an insurance policy for humanity.
“This deal will keep the clean energy boom growing and protect billions of lives. It will help all countries to share in the huge benefits of bold climate action: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all. But like any insurance policy – it only works – if the premiums are paid in full, and on time.”
He acknowledged that no country got everything they wanted, and that the world leaves Baku with a mountain of work to do. “So this is no time for victory laps. We need to set our sights and redouble our efforts on the road to Belém.”
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) closed today with a new finance goal to help countries to protect their people and economies against climate disasters, and share in the vast benefits of the clean energy boom. With a central focus on climate finance, COP29 brought together nearly 200 countries in Baku, Azerbaijan, and reached a breakthrough agreement that will:
- Triple finance to developing countries, from the previous goal of USD 100 billion annually, to USD 300 billion annually by 2035.
- Secure efforts of all actors to work together to scale up finance to developing countries, from public and private sources, to the amount of USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035.
Known formally as the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), it was agreed after two weeks of intensive negotiations and several years of preparatory work, in a process that requires all nations to unanimously agree on every word of the agreement.
You can find the advance unedited versions of the decisions taken at the Baku UN Climate Change Conference here.
The COP29 closing plenary is expected to resume at 00:30h AZT/GMT+4.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell will deliver closing remarks.
The closing plenary of COP29 is expected to begin at 20:00h AZT/GMT+4.
The updated draft negotiation texts have been issued.
You can find a selection of COP29 photography, curated daily, on this page: UN Climate Change photos
COP29 high-resolution photos of the conference can be downloaded on our Flickr, which we are constantly updating: UN Climate Change Flickr
Please see the Terms of Use for copyright information and how to use and credit photos provided by UN Climate Change.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres will be having a press encounter with media at COP29 today, starting at 14:30h in Press Conference Room Karabakh.
The encounter will also be livestreamed here.
A "Qurultay” meeting has been convened by the COP29 President in the Nizami Plenary Hall to convene Parties in a single-setting following the release of new draft negotiation texts earlier this morning (around 7.15am). You can find them at this link.
Join us for a high-level event to explore how gender-responsive climate reporting can drive climate ambition.
As countries prepare their Biennial Transparency Reports for submission by 31 December 2024, this event is an opportunity to explore how reporting on climate policies and measures, implementation of national climate plans and support provided or received can help advance gender-responsive climate action.
When: 10:00 - 11:30 AZT/GMT+4
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area D, Plenary Caspian
New draft negotiation texts have been issued.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary spoke this morning about the importance of new national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions) at an event organized by the NDC Partnership.
"Money talks, and as we enter the second quarter of this century, it's saying loud and clear: there's no stopping the clean energy juggernaut, and the vast benefits it brings: stronger growth, more jobs, less pollution and inflation, cheaper and cleaner energy," said Stiell. "The list of benefits goes on."
Stiell added, "That's why we've seen two G20 countries – the UK and Brazil – signal clearly at the COP they plan to ramp up climate action in their NDCs 3.0 - because it's 100% in their economic interests to do so. But – and it's a big but – right now these vast benefits are only achievable for some. Our job is to make them achievable for all. To ensure every country can deliver a bold new national climate plan, covering all greenhouse gases and all sectors, aligned with the science of keeping 1.5 degrees within reach."
Over three billion people live in regions that are highly vulnerable to climate change. For Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and other developing nations, the impacts are already severe, threatening livelihoods and natural resources.
As the urgency to protect these populations grows, gaps in planning, finance, technology and capacity-building are holding back progress. To drive meaningful change, we must shift from fragmented approaches to integrated strategies that combine finance, technology and capacity-building to advance Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Join our event to hear how finance, skills development and technology access can empower vulnerable populations to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area C, UNFCCC Pavilion
When: 20 November, 13:30-14:30h AZT/GMT+4
This flagship event will showcase the transformational impact of the Partnership’s model to accelerate NDC implementation, driven by countries’ ownership and commitment to ambitious climate action and supported through impactful and sustained collaboration. Interventions will highlight members’ commitment to step up the collective work to deliver this impact.
When: Wednesday 20 November, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Blue Zone, NDC Partnership Pavilion
Join our media training on the Enhanced Transparency Framework.
Find out how to communicate on climate transparency and where to find key information.
When: 20 November, 10:30 - 12:00h
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area E, UNFCCC Pavillion
The G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration sent a clear signal to negotiators at COP29 on climate finance. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell responded to the Declaration with a written statement this morning.
"G20 Leaders have sent a clear message to their negotiators at COP29: do not leave Baku without a successful new finance goal. This is in every country’s clear interests," said Stiell. "Leaders of the world’s largest economies have also committed to driving forward financial reforms to put strong climate action within all countries’ reach. This is an essential signal, in a world plagued by debt crises and spiraling climate impacts, wrecking lives, slamming supply chains and fanning inflation in every economy."
Climate education is essential to equip people with the skills and knowledge required to drive meaningful climate action.
Join our event to learn how climate education and access to information can support climate transparency and boost international cooperation in these areas.
Event: Advancing Climate Transparency: Opportunities through Action for Climate Empowerment
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area D, Plenary Caspian
When: 15:00 - 18:00h
Join us for the launch of a new partnership between UN Climate Change and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) to advance bamboo-based climate solutions.
The event will serve as a platform to highlight bamboo’s role in mitigating and adapting to climate change, with ministerial commitments expected from bamboo-producing countries to include bamboo in their enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area E, Forest Pavilion
When: 19 November 2024, 13:00 - 14:30h
Speaking at the daily COP29 Presidency press conference in Baku today, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted some of the positive strides forward in the conference's first week (progress on Article 6, and new NDC and BTR submissions, for example) but said there is still much more work to be done.
"Entering the second week of this COP, it's a mixed picture," said Stiell. "It’s been encouraging to see the significant strides forward, notably on carbon markets, making progress that previous COPs could not achieve. There’s more work to do of course, and I am certainly not complacent, there are still challenges ahead there."
Stiell added, "I know we can get this done. The Presidency is working round the clock, with diligence, determination and even-handedness. The secretariat will continue to be the steady guide by their side, whilst also supporting Parties, with a focus on inclusivity. Civil society is here in force, urging Parties on and keeping this COP in the global spotlight."
The Second Annual High-Level Ministerial Roundtable on just transition will provide a platform for a political discussion on the implementation of and direction for the United Arab Emirates just transition work programme.
Discussions will focus on the priorities, needs and challenges faced by countries in advancing the implementation of the just transitions pathways that will keep the Paris Agreement goals within reach building on the discussions that have taken place during the two dialogues held this year.
It will also bring focus to how the work programme on just transition can better support the challenges faced by countries to achieving long-term climate and sustainable development objectives.
As the critical second week of COP29 got underway today, UN Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell urged delegates to wrap up less contentious issues as early as possible this week, so there is enough time for the major political decisions before the conference ends.
"We can’t lose sight of the forest because we’re tussling over individual trees," said Stiell, speaking at the conference's main plenary session. "Where groups of parties dig in and refuse to move on one issue, until others move elsewhere. This is a recipe for going literally nowhere. And could set global climate efforts back at a time when we simply must be moving forward. We will only get the job done if Parties are prepared to step forward in parallel, bringing us closer to common ground."
Join this special Sports for Climate Action event at COP29 to hear how sports organizations are working with cities, industries, and fans to scale climate solutions. This event will dive into the potential for systems transformation through the unique spheres of influence that sport naturally holds—from purchasing goods and services to sponsorships—and will conclude with inspiring athlete voices on how sport can become a force for good in addressing climate issues.
Some of the star-studded speakers include:
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Eroni Leilua, Sailing, Samoa – two time Olympian and first Samoan to represent the country in Sailing at the Olympics
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Sofie Junge Pedersen, Football, Denmark and Inter Milan – with 88 caps for Denmark
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David Rudisha, Athletics Kenya – world and Olympic record holder in the 800 metres and 2x Olympic Champion
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Sam Mattis, Discus, USA – two-time Olympian, USA Track and Field Champion and NCAA Champion
Where: Blue Zone, Area B, Special Event Room Nasimi
When: 14:30 to 16:15
Join an event by the UN Climate Change Adaptation Committee to mark 30 years of adaptation under the UNFCCC process. Panelists will look back at the different stages in the 30-year adaptation journey and look ahead to future milestones.
During the event, the Adaptation Committee will also present a recently launched interactive portal showcasing global adaptation action across the world. These resources aim to highlight the journey, challenges and progress of adaptation efforts worldwide.
The event will also feature a panel discussion with experts who will share insights on key adaptation milestones over the past three decades.
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area D, Meeting Room 20
When: 18 November, 13:15 - 14:45h AZT/GMT+4
The UNFCCC's NDC synthesis report and UNEP’s emissions gap report show us why. Together, they tell an alarming story and highlight why we need stronger climate action, now.
The synthesis report’s findings are stark but not surprising – current national climate plans fall miles short of what’s needed to stop global heating from crippling every economy, and wrecking billions of lives and livelihoods across every country. This year’s UNEP Emissions Gap Report concluded that immediate action is necessary to meet the Paris Agreement goals, but it also shows that it is still possible to limit global heating to 1.5°C.
The findings of both of these reports will be presented at a special event at COP29 today.
Where: Blue Zone, Event Room 5 Nasimi, Zone B
When: 13:00 – 14:15
National Adaptation Plans are vital to protect people and economies and to drive forward much more opportunity, equality and prosperity, minimizing losses and damages on lives and livelihoods.
Today’s High-Level Dialogue on National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) will explore concrete ways to enhance support for NAPs, focusing on innovative adaptation finance and technical assistance for implementation.
When: 11:30h - 13:00h AZT/GMT+4
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area B, Special Event Room Mugham
You can find a selection of curated COP29 photography on this page: UN Climate Change photos
You can also check out our COP29 photo gallery to download high-resolution images of the conference. We’re constantly updating our Flickr with new photos throughout the day, every day.
Please see the Terms of Use for copyright information and how to use and credit photos provided by UN Climate Change.
The COP29 venue will be closed on Sunday 17 November. Registration will be closed and there will be no planned activities in the Blue Zone. In addition, no official meetings will take place, no services will be available, and no deliveries will be permitted.
Participants who have offices and/or pavilions will be granted access to their offices and pavilions, should this be required. Participants with offices and/or pavilions receiving accredited guests must pick them up at the security screening facility either at the main entrance in Area A or the entrance at South PSA.
Furthermore, pavilion events will conclude by 22.00 hrs. on Saturday, 16 November 2024 and resume as of 08.00 hrs. on Monday, 18 November 2024. Pavilion operators may undertake maintenance work on Sunday, 17 November 2024, but no events should take place.
Members of the media with assigned workplaces will be given access to their facilities, provided that they have submitted their names to the IBC manager.
We'll be back in action on Monday 18 November!
Indigenous Peoples have long been powerful advocates of nature, calling for biodiversity to be respected and its power not to be underestimated.
The Baku Climate Leadership Dialogue between the COP 29 Presidency, UN Climate Change and Indigenous Peoples will highlight the challenges and opportunities Indigenous Peoples face in leading transformational climate actions, emphasizing support needed in the form of accessible, predictable and sustainable climate finance, among others.
When: 17:00 – 18:15
Where: COP 29 Venue, Blue Zone, Area B, Special Event Room Mugham
The following is a message from UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) as world leaders head to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit next week. Photo available for download here (please credit: UN Climate Change | Kiara Worth).
As G20 Leaders head to Rio de Janeiro, the world is watching and expecting strong signals that climate action is core business for the world’s biggest economies.
The G20 was created to tackle problems that no one country, or group of countries, can tackle alone. On that basis, the global climate crisis should be order of business Number One, in Rio next week.
Climate impacts are already ripping shreds out of every G20 economy, wrecking lives, pummeling supply chains and food prices, and fanning inflation. Bolder climate action is basic self-preservation for every G20 economy. Without rapid cuts in emissions, no G20 economy will be spared from climate-driven economic carnage.
But there is also a good news story, which starts with the number 2 trillion - that’s how many US dollars will flow to clean energy and infrastructure this year alone. Double what’s gone to fossil fuels. Some G20 countries are already taking a big slice of this fast-growing clean energy boom.
The fashion industry’s climate impact extends across every stage of the value chain – from raw material extraction and production to manufacturing and transportation – necessitating coordinated and systematic efforts to drive meaningful change.
New national climate action plans (NDCs) next year provide an opportunity to translate climate goals into practical policy frameworks that support sustainable practices within the fashion sector. Clear policies can enable companies to innovate and adopt sustainable models faster, bridging the gap between high-level goals and on-the-ground action.
This is the focus of a special event at COP29 this morning organized by UN Climate Change's Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. The event will bring together fashion brands, suppliers, investors, policy makers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss key levers for transformation and explore how progress can be accelerated collectively. Speakers will share hands-on insights from the field, exploring key themes such as transparency, accessible finance, and the development of supportive policy frameworks.
UN Climate Change drives global climate action and we're looking for fresh talent to be a force for positive change – come help shape the future with us!
Senior staff from UN Climate Change are hosting an event at COP29 this afternoon to talk about career opportunities at both UN Climate Change and within the wider UN system.
Join us in the Blue Zone (Area B), Side Event Room 9, from 16:45 to 18:15 today.
The Climate Resilient Food Systems (CRFS) Alliance is a global partnership dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation on food security and nutrition. Here is a list of their key events at COP29:
- Exploring the intersection of food systems, climate change, biodiversity, and land degradation through UN collaborations: 15 Nov, 17:30-19:00 (Blue Zone, Area E, CGIAR Pavilion)
- Highlighting the progress and synergies of COP-to-COP initiatives on agriculture and food systems: 19 Nov, 11:00-12:30 (Blue Zone, Area B, Special Event Room Mugham)
- Discussing integrated disaster risk reduction and climate action in agrifood systems through a comprehensive risk management approach: 19 Nov, 09:00-9:45 (Blue Zone, Area E, World Bank Pavilion)
- Showcasing the CRFS Alliance's collaborative approach to fostering sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems: 19 Nov, 13:30-14:30 (Blue Zone, Area E, UNFCCC Pavilion)
- Focusing on transformative innovation to unlock agroforestry's potential for climate action: 19 Nov, 14:45-16:15 (Blue Zone, Area E, Forest Pavilion)
- Discussing the Water-Resilient Food Systems Partnership and developing coordinated actions to address water and food system challenges: 20 Nov, 9:30-11:00 (Blue Zone, Area E, Water for Climate Pavilion)
- Highlighting the interconnectedness of water, food security, and climate change, especially in vulnerable regions: 20 Nov, 14:00-15:30 (Blue Zone, Area E, Share Hub)
UN Climate Change and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are organizing a high-level dialogue at COP29 this afternoon to highlight the benefits of implementing the COP28 energy goals.
Starting at 15:00, the event will showcase how national climate action plans (NDCs) are a critical tool to translate these global goals into national policies, and how NDCs can further help deliver economic benefits and emission reductions by guiding investment for countries’ clean energy transitions.
The IEA will present key insights from its recent report, From Taking Stock to Taking Action, as well as its work assessing how to scale up clean energy investment especially in emerging market and developing economies.
This will be followed by a high-level panel discussion on scaling up ambition in the next round of NDCs. The conversation will focus on how countries can respond to COP28 calls in their next NDCs, and ensure these include economy-wide reduction targets for all sectors and emissions, to help limit warming to 1.5°C and achieve global net zero emissions by 2050.
The climate crisis calls for collaboration and shared responsibility. It demands an all-hands-on-deck response. This spirit of cooperation is exemplified across the UN system.
An event at COP29 this morning provided insights on the work various UN agencies are doing to support Parties as they develop their NDCs 3.0.
Stemming from the UN Secretary-General’s statement that ambitious NDCs are a priority for the UN system – and underscored by the COP Presidencies Troika (UAE, Azerbaijan and Brazil) who have called for scaled-up support for NDCs – the UN-wide offer of support for developing countries is now in effect. The offer draws from the UN’s broad reaching expertise across critical issue areas, its trusted relationship as a neutral partner, and its ongoing engagement on the broader 2030 Agenda.
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Endorsed by 50 global business leaders and a network of more than 700 financial institutions, the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) has today issued an open letter urging governments to use proven policy measures to stimulate demand for green products and better seize the potential of industrial decarbonisation.
Doing so could unlock up to $1 trillion of investment and bring more than 500 green industrial plants awaiting finance to construction by 2030. This would enable the emissions reduction needed from six of the highest emitting industries - aluminium, cement, chemicals, steel, aviation and shipping - to align with a 1.5°C pathway in the next decade, while creating sustainable growth.
“To meet climate targets for heavy industry and transport, we need to bring more projects online, faster” said Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change. “We now need stronger and clear policy statements from governments to further drive green demand at scale and unlock capital flow to technologies that can accelerate decarbonisation. The next round of national climate plans needs to cover all sectors of economies, and so we need as many countries as possible to set more ambitious industrial targets in these revised NDCs next year.”
The Taskforce on Net Zero Policy – an initiative to take forward key elements of the UN Secretary General's High Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities (HLEG) – has today published its inaugural report, taking stock of the global policy environment governing the net zero activities of large corporates and financial institutions.
The report, Net Zero Policy Matters, found encouraging signs. Progress on net zero policy is advancing at pace in a significant number of regions around the world. However, the policy landscape is still insufficiently aligned with a 1.5°c future, consistent with ongoing global misalignment with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Speaking at the Integrity Matters stocktake this morning, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged delegates to move from voluntary pledges to mandatory rules.
"The future of humanity is at stake. Action cannot be optional," he said. "Disclosing credible transition plans, that align with 1.5 degrees must be mandatory for corporates and financial institutions."
The event “Unpacking the Loss and Damage Landscape” will shed light on the global support system designed to address climate-induced loss and damage, emphasizing the collaborative roles of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) Executive Committee, the Santiago Network, and the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
Through shared expertise, financial support and collaboration, the WIM, the Santiago Network, and the Fund are working to better meet the needs of vulnerable communities affected by climate change impacts.
Where: Blue Zone, Area D, Meeting Room 20
When: 14 November, 13:15h - 14:45h AZT/GMT+4
The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and is central to our global response to climate change. The 2024 Ocean Dialogue highlighted the growing recognition of the ocean's essential role in both mitigating climate change and helping communities adapt to its impacts.
In today’s “Insights from the 2024 Ocean Dialogue to drive climate ambition and finance” side-event, experts will reflect on deliberations at the 2024 Ocean Dialogue and the need for ocean-based action to be integrated into countries’ next round of climate plans.
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Side Events Room 8
When: 11:30-13:00h AZT/GMT+4
The Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance (IHLEG) launched by the COP26 and COP27 Presidencies provides an independent perspective on the climate finance agenda. Today, the group released its third report, which comes at a crucial time for the climate finance agenda with a commitment to agree on a New Collective Quantified Goal at COP29 and support ambitious NDCs submitted next year.
The third report argues that the world faces an unprecedented investment imperative and opportunity. The transition to clean, low-carbon energy, urgently building resilience to the impacts of climate change, and protecting nature and biodiversity, requires a rapid step up of investment in all countries.
IHLEG launched its third report at a special event at COP29 this morning. The event featured a presentation of key findings by the co-chairs of the IHLEG, as well as a high-level panel drawn from the key drivers of the climate finance system.
What does “capacity-building” mean? For some it’s “empowerment”; for others, "collaboration" or "creativity": all capture the essence of the 6th Capacity-building Hub, which is now open at COP29.
Nearly 60 organizations will host 42 capacity-building sessions during six thematic days:
- PCCB’s Focus on Finance for NAPs Day (14th Nov.)
- Bridging Capacities, Climate and Migration Day (16th Nov.)
- Capacities for Climate Innovation Day (18th Nov.)
- Rio Conventions Synergies Day (19th Nov.)
- Private Sector Capacities Day (20th Nov.)
- Capacity-building Tools and Methodologies Marketplace Day (21st Nov.)
Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin formally submitted the country's new climate action plan (NDC 3.0) at COP29 this afternoon.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell welcomed the submission of Brazil's new NDC.
"With this new national plan, Brazil is out in front on delivering climate action, as the country prepares to host COP30 next year," said Stiell. "Brazil's plan covers all sectors of the economy and all greenhouse gases, has real reduction targets, and embeds what we agreed last year at COP28. It also sends a strong signal to all nations here at COP29, where we also saw the UK yesterday announce a new target of cutting emissions 81% by 2035, for its new NDC."
Stiell added, "With two major G20 economies in two days stepping up strongly – the message is clear: climate action is on the rise."
A recent report from UN Climate Change shows that current national climate plans (NDCs) are still dangerously off-track to avert the crippling effects of climate change on every country and every economy.
The next round of national climate plans, due from every country next year, must deliver a dramatic step up in climate action and ambition. NDCs 3.0 will play a crucial role in determining if the world will achieve the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C, while delivering stronger economies and societies.
In this context, the UN System and other partners are organizing a series of events at COP29 to catalyze the delivery of ambitious, timely, and implementable NDCs 3.0.
Transparency, a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement, enables stronger climate action. Today, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell recognized as champions of climate transparency the first 9 countries that have submitted their Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs).
Andorra, Guyana, Panama, Japan, Spain, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands and Singapore have already submitted their BTRs – due by the end of the year – setting an example for others to follow.
The reports are a powerful enabling tool for all governments, building a robust evidence base to strengthen climate policies over time, and helping to identify financing needs and opportunities.
Transparency is a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement. It enables stronger climate action.
Biennial Transparency Reports – due from all Parties by the end of the year – are vital enabling tools for governments and businesses, building a stronger evidence base which helps strengthen climate policies over time.
Today’s high-level event kicks off a series of transparency activities and events at COP29, and celebrates the transparency journey by countries under the Paris Agreement.
Where: Special Event Room Shirvan, Blue Zone, COP29 Venue
When: 17:00 - 19:00h AZT/GMT+4
Addressing world leaders at COP29, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell pulled no punches, saying the climate crisis is fast becoming an economy-killer.
"Worsening climate impacts will put inflation on steroids unless every country can take bolder climate action," said Stiell. "Let’s learn the lessons from the pandemic – when billions suffered because we didn’t take collective action fast enough. When supply chains were smashed. Let’s not make that mistake again. Climate finance is global inflation insurance. Rampant climate costs should be public enemy number one."
Speaking at a press conference at COP29 today, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell shared news on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
"Last night, Parties agreed strong standards for a centralized carbon market under the UN," said Stiell. "There’s more work to do, but this is a good start – the product of over 10 years of work within the process. . . When operational, these carbon markets will help countries implement their climate plans faster and cheaper, driving down emissions. We are a long way from halving emissions this decade, but wins on carbon markets here at COP29 will help us get back in that race."
The two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit at COP29 launches today bringing together some 100 national leaders. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell will take the floor during the first part of the High-Level Segment for Heads of State and Government.
Over the next two days, COP29 provides a platform for world leaders to raise ambition and translate climate pledges into concrete, real-economy outcomes.
Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, and H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, among others, are speaking at the Leaders’ Summit.
At approximately 11am today, there will be a short press conference with:
• Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29 Lead Negotiator
• Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary
• Nigar Arpadarai, Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29
It will take place in press conference room 1 (Karabakh) of the Blue Zone at the COP29 Venue.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell addressed the official opening of COP29 today, making a passionate plea for urgent, global cooperation on climate change.
"We mustn’t let 1.5 slip out of reach. Even as temperatures rise, the implementation of our agreements must claw them back," said Stiell. "Clean energy and infrastructure investment will reach two trillion dollars in 2024. Almost twice that of fossil fuels. The shift to clean-energy and climate-resilience will not be stopped. Our job is to accelerate this and make sure its huge benefits are shared by all countries and all people."
Tune in to watch the opening ceremony of COP29!
Starting today through 22 November, nations and stakeholders come together for two weeks of essential discussions and negotiations to tackle the climate crisis.
Delegates and participants are arriving at the COP29 venue in Baku, Azerbaijan, ready for the start of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference.
Follow the COP29 opening live, starting today at 11:00h AZT/GMT+4: Watch COP29 Opening Ceremony
Join us on Earth Information Day at COP29 for a dialogue on the latest advancements in Earth observation and their impact on risk-informed climate action. The session will feature a keynote on the role of innovation and advanced technologies in climate resilience, along with remarks from the Chair of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice, the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, and the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Where: COP29 Venue, Blue Zone, Plenary - Caspian, Area D
When: 11 November 2024, 13:00 - 16:00h
Delegates and participants are arriving at the COP29 venue in Baku, Azerbaijan, ready for the start of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference.
Follow the COP29 opening live, starting today at 11:00h AZT/GMT+4: Watch COP29 Opening Ceremony
Climate action by non-Party stakeholders, including businesses, investors, sub-national actors and civil society, is driving progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, and their engagement is more crucial than ever, as highlighted in the 2024 Yearbook of Global Climate Action launched today.
“There can be no comprehensive approach without the involvement of the entire economy and the whole of our societies. And that means we need Parties and non-Party stakeholders to work together, to join efforts, communicating on best ways forward, systematically,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. “This is why the Marrakech Partnership is so important, why the examples in this Yearbook are so fundamental, and why they must be scaled up.”
The Yearbook showcases climate action by non-Party stakeholders such as finance and nature protection, and highlights their key role in raising ambition, as governments work to develop their next round of national climate plans (NDCs) due next year and to build resilience in the face of growing climate impacts.
COP29 must be an enabling COP, delivering concrete outcomes to translate the pledges made in last year’s historic UAE Consensus into real-world, real-economy results.
Stay up to date during the conference by following us on social media:
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The UN Climate Change Conference COP29 gets underway on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
With climate impacts inflicting growing human and economic costs in every country, every COP is a vital global moment that must deliver major progress, and COP29 is no exception.
Ambitious outcomes in Baku are vital, because unless all countries can cut emissions and build more resilience into global supply chains, no economy – including the G20 – will survive unchecked global heating, and no household will be spared its severe inflationary impacts.
Check out our latest UN Climate Change Quarterly Update to learn more about the key issues on the table at COP29, and the wide-ranging preparatory work taking place so governments can arrive in Baku with concrete outcomes within reach.
Released just ahead of the COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Adaptation Gap Report 2024: Come hell and high water, from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), finds that nations must dramatically increase adaptation efforts to address rising climate impacts, starting with a commitment to act on finance at COP29.
"We need developed countries to double adaptation finance to at least $40 billion a year by 2025 – an important step to closing the finance gap. We need to unlock a new climate finance goal at COP29," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Bolder new national climate plans, formally called Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs, due in 2025, are vital to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis hitting every economy. Done well, they can also serve as blueprints for stronger economies and societies, spreading more widely the vast co-benefits of bolder climate action.
At COP29, the secretariat is organizing more than 20 side events and special events with other partners related to NDCs 3.0. These events will provide a crucial platform for Parties and stakeholders to exchange insights, showcase innovative solutions, and deepen collaboration on critical issues related to the next generation of NDCs.
On 11 November, the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 kicks off.
Delegates from around the world will convene in Baku, Azerbaijan, for two weeks of crucial negotiations, dynamic discussions and global collaboration, all focused on tackling the climate crisis with urgency and ambition.