Baku Climate Action Week Commences, Convening National and Global Actors to Build on Legacy of COP29

Building on the breakthroughs of the Baku Finance Goal and ambitious climate commitments agreed at COP29, Baku Climate Action Week brings governments, businesses, youth, and civil society together to accelerate delivery.

Five-day agenda features dialogues on energy and finance, youth-led and parliamentary forums, a Sustainable Expo at the Heydar Aliyev Centre; and a closing “Community Impact Day” with tree planting and careers fair in the heart of Baku.

UN leaders, climate champions, and international partners will join Azerbaijani counterparts to ensure the outcomes of COP29 inspire real progress on the road to COP30.

Baku, 29 September 2025 - Building on the breakthroughs of the Baku Finance Goal and ambitious climate commitments agreed at COP29, Baku Climate Action Week brings governments, businesses, youth, and civil society together to accelerate delivery.

The first day opened with a ministerial ceremony and keynote speeches reflecting on the outcomes of COP29 from international climate leaders including Damilola Ogunbiyi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and CEO of Sustainable Energy for All, as well as Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly. This was followed by sessions that brought together international experts, policymakers and businesses to discuss topics including the green economy, skills for SMEs, climate laws and the just transition. These included events on transforming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), mobilising green finance, and strengthening institutions – all essential to turning global commitments into action in Azerbaijan.

The first day also featured a Parliamentary Roundtable on strengthening climate laws and institutions for a net zero transition. Legislators and experts discussed best practices in climate legislation, the role of independent advisory councils, and ways to mobilise private sector investment. The session launched the Azerbaijani edition of the GLOBE Parliamentary Guide to Article 6 and Carbon Markets, equipping parliamentarians with tools to embed net-zero policies and ensure effective oversight.

Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues and President of COP29, said:

“At COP29, Azerbaijan proved that the multilateral system could deliver. We set new goals for finance, unlocked carbon markets, and secured ambitious commitments on mitigation and adaptation. But agreements alone are not enough. Baku Climate Action Week shows our determination to follow through on the legacy of COP29, to move from words to implementation, and to demonstrate how leadership at home can inspire progress globally as we look ahead to COP30.”

Nigar Arpadarai, High-Level Champion of COP29 said:

“The legacy of COP29 is not measured in documents but in delivery. This week is about mobilising every part of society, from government and business to young people and local communities, to ensure commitments are turned into results. By hosting Baku Climate Action Week, Azerbaijan is showing that inclusive action and broad collaboration are the only way to accelerate a just and effective transition.”

Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan and COP29 Lead Negotiator, said:

“At COP29, Azerbaijan proved its ability to bring the world together and reach consensus on some of the most complex issues in climate diplomacy. The decisions were momentous in themselves, but taken against the backdrop of last year’s turbulent geopolitical landscape and other pressing challenges, their historic weight is even greater. The landmark breakthroughs achieved in Baku have laid firm foundations for the next decade of climate action. Now, Baku Climate Action Week will act as a powerful catalyst, uniting voices from across the global climate community to deliver tangible outcomes both in Azerbaijan and throughout the wider region.”

As the week progresses, Baku Climate Action Week will serve as a hub for dialogue on how Azerbaijan can apply the outcomes of COP29 at home, from scaling clean energy and green finance to strengthening resilience in agriculture, water, and cities. By hosting these discussions, Azerbaijan seeks to demonstrate how global commitments can drive national transformation, while offering a platform for others to share, learn, and build momentum together.

Throughout the week, Azerbaijan’s climate leaders, including COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev and Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, will set out national priorities on renewables, green finance, and resilience in agriculture and water. COP29 High-Level Champion Nigar Arpadarai will lead discussions on mobilising non-state actors, alongside sessions on SMEs, skills and youth innovation.

Virtual addresses from international voices including UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago, former UNGA President Csaba Kőrösi, former Latvian President Raimonds Vējonis, and UN Special Envoy on Financing Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin will highlight the role of global cooperation in advancing the legacy of COP29.

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