Source: Trend International Information Agency
Under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the problems of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) received due attention.
As Day.Az reports, Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, stated this in an exclusive interview with Trend.
Assessing the climate summit in Baku, the Secretary General noted that the conference was both a promising event and a serious test of reality.
“We are pleased that progress has been made,” she said, referring to tripling the annual climate finance target to $300 billion by 2035 and the launch of the Loss and Damage Response Fund. However, she said progress remains slow for vulnerable countries.
“SIDS and the least developed countries are at the forefront of a crisis in which they played little role. For them, climate negotiations are a struggle for existence. Their voices were heard in Baku, calling not only for commitments, but also for the implementation of commitments – and they are right to demand it,” she said.
Patricia Scotland stressed the importance of the first COP Leaders’ Summit for SIDS, organized by the COP29 Presidency and Azerbaijan, which brought their concerns to the fore. She also noted that the path to COP30 needs to focus on renewed energy and stronger action.
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The Secretary General further reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to increasing climate finance and improving its accessibility.
“Through the work of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Center (CCFAH), we continue to support member countries in obtaining the necessary funding to implement their national climate plans, including national contributions and adaptation plans,” she said.
Patricia Scotland noted that over the past nine years, CCFAH has raised more than $380 million, with another $500 million in the pipeline. She also highlighted the statement by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to allocate $10 million to support joint projects with the Commonwealth at SIDS.
“Such commitments are critical to expanding SIDS’ climate finance capacity. There is an urgent need to operationalize and capitalize the Loss and Damage Fund, to name just one priority,” she said.
Commenting on cooperation with Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia, Patricia Scotland outlined key priorities for the future.
“First, we need to close the commitment gap. These promises must be kept. The Commonwealth will continue to work to ensure that financial commitments are not only affordable, but transformative, especially for SIDS and least developed countries. We know that Azerbaijan “The COP29 Presidency is a strong supporter of SIDS and we would like to see that leadership continue,” she said.
“Secondly, we need to harness innovation. From satellite technology to artificial intelligence, we need to harness the power of innovation to create scalable solutions. These tools can help vulnerable countries adapt and prosper. The Commonwealth Secretariat and Azerbaijan’s space agency Azercosmos have signed a memorandum of understanding that could significantly expand access to satellite data to address the impacts of climate change,” she added.
“Finally, we must develop inclusive leadership. Our Commonwealth Youth Climate Action Network, Youth Climate Negotiators, Gender-Responsive Climate Action Collaboration Network and Indigenous Partnerships are not just programs, they represent the future of climate diplomacy “, said Patricia Scotland in conclusion.