COP29 is set to convene in Baku with around 100 leaders, but attendance is down from previous years. Only four G20 leaders are confirmed, and notable absences include many EU and Latin American leaders. Discussions will focus on climate change impacts, particularly for vulnerable nations.
The COP29 UN climate summit is set to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, with approximately 100 world leaders in attendance, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. However, there is a noticeable decline in the number of high-profile leaders participating compared to previous summits in Dubai and Glasgow. Confirmed attendees include G20 representatives such as Keir Starmer of Britain, Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Recep Tayyip Erdogan from Turkey, and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Among the G20, only four leaders have committed to attending, despite these nations accounting for 77 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to United Nations reports. Prominent EU nations will be represented minimally as well, with only Spain’s Pedro Sanchez and Poland’s Andrzej Duda attending. While Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Malta, and the Czech Republic are sending government heads, many significant players are absent. European Council chief Charles Michel is expected to address the assembly, although Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will not be present. Leaders from nations heavily impacted by climate change, particularly those from Africa and the Pacific, will have a strong representation at COP29, including Kenya’s William Ruto and interim leader of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus. Notably, Mia Mottley, the premier of Barbados, known for advocating climate funding reforms, is slated to speak. However, Latin America appears underrepresented with the absence of major leaders like Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum. Brazil will be represented by Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, as the country prepares to host COP30 in Belem next year.
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Each year, COP brings together leaders from across the globe to negotiate and discuss measures to combat global climate change. As the 29th iteration of this summit, COP29 is particularly crucial given the rising global temperatures and intensifying climate crises, with 2024 projected to continually break temperature records. The attendance of world leaders is critical for both forming international partnerships and ensuring accountability in climate action.
In summary, COP29 in Baku will witness approximately 100 world leaders amidst a decline in participation from top leaders compared to previous climate summits. Important discussions are expected, focusing on climate funding and adaptation strategies, particularly for nations vulnerable to climate impacts. The limited attendance from major emitting countries and Latin American leaders signifies ongoing challenges in global climate diplomacy.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
