The 30th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) was held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10–22, while the Leaders’ Summit took place on November 6–7. The Republic of Azerbaijan was represented at the Leaders’ Summit by a delegation headed by Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. The Speaker delivered a national statement on behalf of Azerbaijan and held a number of bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ press release on Azerbaijan’s participation in COP30.
On the official opening day of COP30, the COP presidency was formally transferred from the Republic of Azerbaijan to Brazil. COP29 President and Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues Mukhtar Babayev addressed the opening session, informing participants about the historic outcomes achieved at COP29 in Baku last year, as well as the activities conducted during Azerbaijan’s presidency. Babayev also took part in several events organized within COP30 and held bilateral meetings with heads of other delegations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation participated in both segments of COP30. Throughout the conference, the Azerbaijani delegation was actively involved in negotiations on draft decisions expected to be adopted at the conclusion of the event. Azerbaijan was also entrusted with facilitating negotiations and coordinating two key decisions.
Under the authority granted by COP30 President André do Lago to Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Brazil’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mauricio Lyrio, intensive 12-day negotiations were held with candidate countries Türkiye and Australia regarding the host of COP31. As a result, the decision was made to award the hosting rights for COP31 to Türkiye.
Additionally, the COP President mandated representatives of Azerbaijan and Norway to jointly lead, on his behalf, the coordination of documents related to the Global Stocktake (GST) under the Paris Agreement. The negotiations were co-facilitated by Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. Following consultations with all negotiating groups, Azerbaijan and Norway submitted recommendations on possible decision texts to the Brazilian Presidency, contributing to the adoption of the relevant decisions.
The Azerbaijani delegation also organized five thematic events under the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda, focusing on peace and migration, water, health, cities, and climate transparency. Azerbaijan further co-organized several events spotlighting renewable energy, hydrogen, and agriculture initiatives.
In line with the Baku Climate Finance Goal adopted at COP29, Azerbaijan and Brazil jointly prepared and presented the “Baku to Belém Roadmap” at COP30, aimed at raising global climate finance to US$1.3 trillion.
