(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 12. The COP29
Presidency hosted a landmark event titled“Empowering Resilient and
Sustainable Future: The Role of Human Development in Climate
Action” at the Heydar Aliyev Center on 11 October 2024, within the
framework of Pre-COP in Baku. The event marked the announcement of
the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate
Resilience, developed through inclusive multistakeholder
consultations, including with WHO, UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, and
Multilateral Development Banks, as well as with civil society and
philanthropies. The event was attended by representatives from
national governments, international organizations, and civil
society, who gathered to share insights and perspectives on the
integration of human development into climate resilience
strategies.
The event featured opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev,
COP29 Lead Negotiator, who emphasized the initiative's goal of
strengthening resilience to the impacts of climate change by
advancing human development through education, health, social
protection, and green jobs and skills, with a special focus on
children and youth.
The first panel, moderated by Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident
Coordinator in Azerbaijan, explored the nexus between climate
change and human development. Speakers included Hasan Hasanli,
Deputy Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan; Saja Farooq
Abdullah, UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan; Troy Dooley, Chief
of IOM Azerbaijan; Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Champion,
Yashar Hamzayev, ILO National Coordinator for Azerbaijan; and
Kamran Mashhadi, Officer in Charge at WHO Azerbaijan. Discussions
underscored the critical role of education, green jobs, and health
in shaping a climate-resilient society, as well as the importance
of empowering children and youth.
The second panel, moderated by Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, ADB
Country Director in Azerbaijan, addressed scaling up financing for
human development in climate action. Panelists included Azar
Bayramov, Director of OIC Labour Centre; Alessandra Roccasalvo,
UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan; Ahmet Levent Yener,
Practice Leader for Human Development in the South Caucasus, World
Bank; John Fairhurst, Head of Private Sector, The Global Fund;
Jan-Willem van de Ven, Head of International Policy & Engagement,
EBRD; and Bert De Wel, Global Climate Policy Coordinator, ITUC and
focal point for TUNGO. The speakers discussed innovative financing
mechanisms and cross-sector partnerships to bolster investments in
human development.
The event reinforced the critical role of human development in
shaping climate action, and the feedback from stakeholders will
guide the continued development of the Baku Initiative on Human
Development for Climate Resilience ahead of COP29.
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