Slovenian Energy Minister Talks On Participation In COP29 (Exclusive)

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 22. COP29 stands as an important milestone in collective efforts to implement the Paris Agreement, Minister of Environment, Climate, and energy of Slovenia Bojan Kumer said in an exclusive interview with Trend , as he visited Baku

"We made significant progress at last year's COP, but we know that we cannot afford to stand still, and certainly, we cannot afford to backtrack. Slovenia, as a member of the European Union, will therefore actively work to contribute to the success of the COP29. We must deliver on the new financial goal which will help developing countries to implement their future climate policies and measures. Slovenia has been demonstrating its commitment to climate finance, exemplified by, amongst others, its pledge to the Loss and Damage Fund. As one of the smallest country-sized donors, this commitment serves as a significant signal within the complex multilateral landscape," he said.

Kumer noted that making progress on mitigation is also of key importance.

"Within the EU, we are currently deliberating on the new climate goal for 2040, which will be basis for the ambitious National Determined Contribution (NDC) to be submitted in time. All these elements, together with strong follow up of last year's first Global Stock Take process will form a package for a successful COP29. During the meeting with Azerbaijani Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, President of COP29 Mukhtar Babayev, I was informed that preparations are developing very well. I offered any assistance from Slovenian side to him and his team," said Kumer.

He pointed out that Slovenian team is fully prepared to constructively participate in negotiations and political initiatives and contribute to successful outcome of the COP Presidency of Azerbaijan.

"We also welcome very much the Azerbaijani initiative for Peace Day and the gender equality. Furthermore, we are actively supporting youth participation and inclusion of civility society at COP29. Last, but not least, sectors such as water and agriculture hold paramount importance for both Slovenia and Azerbaijan. We are eager to advance agendas in these fields, understanding that sectoral approaches play an increasingly vital role in climate action," he added.

This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 70–80,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COP - the Conference of the Parties - is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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