Ahead of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Azerbaijani Government signed the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action, committing to place children at the center of climate policy.

The signing ceremony was attended by Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan and COP29 President; Catherine Russell, UNICEF's Executive Director; Leyla Hasanova, COP29 Youth Climate Champion; as well as high-ranking government officials, and children and youth from Azerbaijan.

Highlighting Azerbaijan's commitment to the climate process, which is crucial for children and youth, Mukhtar Babayev underscored: "We urge everyone to consider how climate action can contribute to creating a more sustainable future for children and youth."

"It is imperative that we put children at the center of climate change policies and invest in solutions to protect them from the impacts of climate change," said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. She described Azerbaijan's signing of this declaration as another step that place children at the center of the climate agenda.

UNICEF welcomes the commitment of the Government of Azerbaijan to sign this declaration. This is a first-of-its-kind commitment to accelerate inclusive, child- and youth-centered climate policies and action at both national and global levels. Climate change is having a dramatic impact on children, affecting their health, development, safety, and access to basic services.

UNICEF urges other countries to sign this declaration and commit to protect children from climate change's worst impacts.

To support the implementation of the Declaration, UNICEF works with governments and partners to adapt and reinforce existing systems that are critical for children, such as education, social protection, and health. The goal is to make these services resilient and responsive to the climate crisis.