As the COP29 climate summit intensifies in Baku, discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) have taken centre stage. While progress is being made behind closed doors, the negotiations remain complex, with some disagreements shaping the dialogue.
Diverging Views on Climate Finance Targets
At the heart of the NCQG debate lies a significant divide between developed and developing nations. Developing countries are pushing for an ambitious target of $1.3 trillion to address climate adaptation and mitigation. However, other proposals on the table suggest lower figures, ranging from $900 billion to $440 billion. Developed nations have emphasised the importance of a unified goal, warning against fragmenting the NCQG into multiple objectives.
Structure of Climate Finance: A Key Sticking Point
Another critical issue is the structure of the proposed climate finance. Developing nations insist on grants or concessional loans, arguing that these terms are essential to effectively support countries most vulnerable to climate change. Developed countries have yet to align on this demand, further stalling progress.
Ministerial Drafts and Timelines
Yalçın Rəfiyev, Lead Negotiator for COP29 Azerbaijan, announced that ministerial pairs have completed draft proposals, which are expected to be shared with all parties by midnight tonight. These drafts represent a step forward in the negotiations, offering a framework for potential consensus.
The timeline is tight, with only a few days left before the summit concludes. Delegates hope that these proposals will form the foundation of a final agreement that aligns with the Paris Agreement's long-term goals.
Optimism Amid Challenges
There are positive signals from the European bloc. Acknowledging challenges to the COP process under a potential Trump administration, Europe appears keen to facilitate a decision on the NCQG now, leveraging the current window of opportunity.
Diplomatic sources suggest a growing sense of optimism among negotiators. Many recognise that if the NCQG is not finalised now, it could face delays until at least 2028. This understanding has added urgency to the discussions, with both developed and developing nations working to bridge their differences.
What's Next?
The outcome of COP29 remains uncertain, but the stakes are undeniably high. With a few days left, all eyes are on the negotiations to determine whether this summit will mark a turning point in global climate action or another missed opportunity.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Chinese and Vietnamese navies have launched a week-long joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin, a move aimed at deepening maritime cooperation between the two countries.
Finnish power grid operator Fingrid announced on Wednesday that repairs to the damaged EstLink 2 subsea power line, which connects Finland and Estonia, will begin in May, with the line expected to return to commercial use by July 15, 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Commerce to launch an investigation into the country’s heavy reliance on imported critical minerals.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reports that March 2025 was the second-warmest globally and the warmest on record in Europe, signaling ongoing changes in global climate trends.
China has unveiled an ambitious expansion of its renewable energy programme, pledging major investment in solar and wind infrastructure to boost clean energy to 40% of its power mix by 2030—marking a decisive shift toward grid integration and nationwide deployment.
The inaugural Samarkand International Climate Forum will kick off on 4th April at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center in Uzbekistan. The high-profile forum will be held under the theme "Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Shared Prosperity."
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
Download the AnewZ app
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment