BAKU, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Countries agreed to a hard-fought COP29 deal to provide $300 billion in annual climate finance by 2035.
But while some delegates reacted to the agreement's early Sunday with a standing ovation, others voiced anger and lambasted wealthy nations for not doing more.
Here are some of their comments:
U.N. FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SIMON STIELL
"It has been a difficult journey, but we've delivered a deal. This new finance goal is an insurance policy for humanity, amid worsening climate impacts hitting every country.
"This deal will keep the clean energy boom growing and protect billions of lives. It will help all countries to share in the huge benefits of bold climate action: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all.
"But like any insurance policy – it only works – if the premiums are paid in full, and on time. No country got everything they wanted, and we leave Baku with a mountain of work still to do. So this is no time for victory laps."
INDIA REPRESENTATIVE CHANDNI RAINA
"We are disappointed in the outcome which clearly brings out the unwillingness of the developed country parties to fulfil their responsibilities."
"I regret to say that this document is nothing more than an optical illusion. This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face. Therefore, we oppose the adoption of this document,"
U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES
"I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome – on both finance and mitigation – to meet the great challenge we face. But this agreement provides a base on which to build. It must be honoured in full and on time. Commitments must quickly become cash."
BOLIVIA REPRESENTATIVE DIEGO PACHECO BALANZA (speaking via a translator)
"We need a finance which will properly grant us the resources we need to take steps. The finance that is hugely below our requirements is an insult and it is a flagrant violation of justice and climate equity.
"Climate finance, as it stands in this agreement, is extinguishing international cooperation. We are moving on from the time of leaving of no-one behind to an era of let every man save himself."
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Former UFC lightweight champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev have landed in Baku ahead of Azerbaijan’s first-ever UFC tournament.
Kazakhstan will establish regional water risk management headquarters to address growing water challenges during the vegetation season, the government announced following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has warned that global refugee protection is facing unprecedented threats, with more than 122 million people forcibly displaced amid ongoing conflicts and shrinking humanitarian aid.
A new freight route connecting eastern China to Azerbaijan via Turkmenistan has officially been launched, marking a significant expansion of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor.
Tesla has secured a major agreement to build its first grid-scale battery storage station in China, local media outlet Yicai reported Friday.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
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Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
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The first side event of the Global South NGO Platform, initiated by Azerbaijan, was held in Bonn, Germany this week.
Egypt’s first integrated solar and battery storage plant will deliver dispatchable clean energy, enhance grid stability and manage peak demand. The project is expected to generate approximately 3,000 GWh of clean energy and avoid up to 1.4 million metric tonnes of emissions per year.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, has announced a record £2.5 billion in additional funding this week to advance the development of the world’s first fusion power plant.
Former UFC lightweight champions Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev have landed in Baku ahead of Azerbaijan’s first-ever UFC tournament.
Kazakhstan will establish regional water risk management headquarters to address growing water challenges during the vegetation season, the government announced following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has warned that global refugee protection is facing unprecedented threats, with more than 122 million people forcibly displaced amid ongoing conflicts and shrinking humanitarian aid.
A new freight route connecting eastern China to Azerbaijan via Turkmenistan has officially been launched, marking a significant expansion of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, also known as the Middle Corridor.
Tesla has secured a major agreement to build its first grid-scale battery storage station in China, local media outlet Yicai reported Friday.
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