BAKU, November 11 — The 29th United Nations climate summit, COP29, opened in Baku, Azerbaijan, with global leaders delivering impassioned calls for immediate and far-reaching action to address climate change. This year’s summit begins amid a backdrop of increasingly severe climate events, with leaders from developing nations demanding urgent financial support and developed nations being pressed to honour commitments on climate finance, trade reform, and carbon emissions reductions.
COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev’s Bold Opening Remarks
Setting the tone, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev launched the ceremony with a sobering message. “Colleagues, we are on a road to ruin,” he stated bluntly, calling attention to the harsh reality of the climate crisis. “But these are not future problems. Climate change is already here. Whether you see them or not, people are suffering in the shadows. They are dying in the dark, and they need more than compassion, more than prayers and paperwork. They are crying out for leadership and action.”
Babayev’s words underscored the profound human impact of climate change that often goes unseen. In his view, COP29 represents an “unmissable moment” to carve a meaningful path forward that transcends political pledges and delivers concrete action for vulnerable communities worldwide. His rallying call emphasised the urgency for nations to honour the Paris Agreement and support its objectives to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
A Moment of Truth for Global Cooperation
President Babayev urged delegates to view COP29 as a pivotal test of the global commitment to the Paris Agreement. His words were stark: “We need much more from all of you. COP29 is a moment of truth for the Paris Agreement. It will test our commitment to the multilateral climate system. We must now demonstrate that we are prepared to meet the goals we have set ourselves.”
As nations prepare to navigate difficult negotiations over climate finance and emission targets, Babayev’s challenge places the burden of action on the world’s most powerful economies and governments, pressing them to put politics aside and prioritise climate over profit.
Outgoing COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber’s Closing Advice
Following Babayev’s remarks, Sultan Al Jaber, outgoing president of COP28, encouraged attendees to take a hopeful, action-driven negotiation approach. “I urge you all to prove once again that we can unite, act, and deliver,” Al Jaber said, stressing the importance of collective action in a world where political will often falters. He reminded leaders that results must “outlast the rhetoric,” urging them to channel positivity as they seek pragmatic solutions.
In a memorable line, he declared, “We are what we do, not what we say,” an appeal for delegates to let their actions speak louder than words. For Al Jaber, the focus should remain on tangible results that benefit all nations, especially those already bearing the brunt of climate impacts.
UNFCCC Climate Chief Simon Stiell on Finance and Resilience
A central issue at COP29 is the need for increased climate finance to support developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate impacts. UNFCCC Climate Chief Simon Stiell took the stage with a frank reminder that climate finance is not an act of charity but a matter of global self-interest. “Here in Baku, we must agree on a new global climate finance goal. If at least two-thirds of the world’s nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price.”
Stiell highlighted the potential consequences if nations fail to act, warning that the fragility of global supply chains and economic systems could spell disaster if they are not built to withstand climate shocks. “If nations can’t build resilience into supply chains, the entire global economy will be brought to its knees. No country is immune,” he cautioned.
Calling for ambitious targets, Stiell noted that finance reform is essential to give countries the necessary fiscal space. “We must work harder to reform the global financial system,” he said, insisting that fiscal reforms are key to equipping vulnerable nations with the resources to invest in climate resilience. He ended his address with a strong message: “We cannot leave Baku without a substantial outcome.”
The Path Forward: New Goals, Financial Commitments, and Accountability
COP29’s opening ceremony made it clear that this summit will be judged on its ability to secure solid financial commitments and actionable climate goals. Substantial financial support is critical for developing nations to implement emissions reductions and adapt to climate impacts. Babayev’s call for “leadership and action,” Al Jaber’s emphasis on “actions over words,” and Stiell’s insistence on a reformed financial framework all point towards the weighty expectations facing this year’s summit.
Leaders are expected to negotiate a new climate finance target, building on the $100 billion annual commitment made in 2009 that developed nations have yet to realise fully. Additionally, discussions will address the structural reform of financial institutions to support climate action in the most vulnerable regions. These issues will likely spark contentious debates, but the consensus is that failure is not an option.
A Defining Moment for Climate Diplomacy
As COP29 unfolds, the challenge for leaders will be to bridge the gap between ambition and action, especially given the year’s climate-fuelled disasters. The calls for reform, responsibility, and results at the opening ceremony reflect a shift in tone, with leaders of developing nations no longer content to wait for incremental progress.
COP29’s start signals a new phase in climate diplomacy that demands accountability from the global community. As Babayev noted, “COP29 is a moment of truth.” The question is whether leaders will heed this call and deliver tangible outcomes that protect our shared future. COP29 can potentially be a historic turning point — provided nations commit to real change.
