As leaders gather for the COP29 UN Climate Change Conference taking place on 11-22 November in Baku, Azerbaijan, Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean will lead a UNECE delegation that will be fully engaged to support urgently-needed climate action, leveraging cooperation and its practical resources in key areas.
UNECE will participate in the presentation of COP29 Presidency Energy Initiatives on Green Energy Zones and Corridors, Storage and Grids, and Hydrogen, and on Water for Climate: Integrating Water Solutions into NDCs and NAPs.
In addition, UNECE will participate in COP29 Presidency discussions on areas including support for a sustainable and digital Middle Corridor, and financing low carbon technologies including nuclear energy.
Other highlights from UNECE participation in over 50 events include high-level discussions on:
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Decarbonizing transport through policies and strategies for civil aviation, maritime and inland transport (in partnership with ICAO and IMO, who perform a function equivalent to that of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) for their respective modes). The ITC Strategy, adopted in February 2024, can help countries decarbonize road transport and facilitate the shift to rail and inland waterway transport.
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Climate action in cities, drawing on insights from UNECE Forum of Mayors and beyond. Cities globally generate 70% of GHG emissions and waste and face increasing climate impacts. Yet cities are also taking bold climate action.
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Strengthening cooperation for climate action and innovation under the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, supported by UNECE and UNESCAP. The discussions will launch the SPECA Multi-Partner Trust Fund.
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Recommendations of Environmental Performance Reviews (EPRs) for Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, to be presented by UNECE and governments. EPRs provide comprehensive recommendations to help integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning.
As part of the Regional Platform for Climate Projects, supported by UN Climate Change High-Level Champions and COP Presidencies, UNECE mapped 250 energy transition initiatives as part of the Sustainable Finance Forum 2024. From these, 10 projects from Central Asia and the Western Balkans seeking financing of USD 15 billion will be showcased at COP29. The projects have benefited from training on UNECE’s PIERS methodology to evaluate the sustainability of PPP and infrastructure initiatives.
Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the UNECE Aarhus Convention, Michel Forst, will continue his efforts at COP29 to protect climate activists, who are increasingly under threat in many countries. A joint statement issued together with international and regional human rights experts in the context of COP29 urged strengthened measures to protect environmental defenders and ensure their safe participation in international forums relating to the environment and climate change.
Explore key events and UNECE support for climate action at https://unece.org/cop29