The Global South NGO platform’s first side event held in Bonn

The first side event of the Global South NGO Platform, initiated by Azerbaijan, was held in Bonn, Germany this week.

The event took place within the framework of the 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (SB62) under the theme 'Uniting for a Just World: Strengthening South-South Solidarity and Partnerships for Equitable Climate Solutions.'

Ramil Iskanderli, the Acting Secretary-General of the Global South NGO Platform, described the participation of 47 NGO representatives and climate activists from 32 countries as a continuation of the "Baku process." He emphasized that the Platform serves as a uniting mechanism against global isolation and highlighted the symbolic significance of holding the first side event in Bonn, a global centre for climate issues.

Panel discussions were held with discussions that highlighted Azerbaijan’s active diplomacy in addressing the climate crisis, efforts to bridge differences between the Global North and Global South, and promote a more inclusive dialogue. It was also noted that a major obstacle remains and that is the long-standing mistrust between the Global South and Global North, with the Platform playing a vital role in building this trust.

Speakers at the panel included Soha Benchekroun, UNFCCC representative for climate adaptation; Menka Goundan, Program Director for the ARROW organization in the Asia-Pacific region; Maryam Majidova, Chairperson of Gender Hub Azerbaijan; Professor Mizan R. Khan, head of the Consortium of Universities of Least Developed Countries on Climate Change and member of the COP29 Scientific Council; and Gulshan Akhundova, Chairperson of the Women’s Development and Future NGO.

The speakers highly appreciated Azerbaijan’s support within COP29, especially for lesser developed countries and island states. Panelists underlined Baku’s contribution to strengthening the positions of Global South NGOs and fostering a balanced and constructive dialogue with the Global North. They expressed confidence that the Platform would serve as an effective forum for discussing international financial architecture reform, technology transfer, and equitable resource distribution in the fight against climate change.

At the end of the session, gender equality was highlighted as a priority area for future cooperation and joint efforts.

During the event, a video of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform was also presented.

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