COP29 Hosts Interactive Debate On Human Rights-Based Climate Justice

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 14. An interactive discussion on "Climate Justice on Human Rights: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions" was held during COP29, organized by the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Speaking at the event, Azerbaijan's Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) Sabina Aliyeva highlighted the country's commitment to sustainability, noting that one of Azerbaijan's 5 national priorities for socio-economic development by 2030 is to become a "Clean Environment and“Green Growth” Country".

"Furthermore, the territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, liberated from occupation, as well as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, have been designated as green energy zones. In line with this, the President of Azerbaijan has declared 2024 the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World."

Thanks to a range of comprehensive measures in the fight against climate change and Azerbaijan's growing influence on the global stage, the country is now hosting COP29, a prestigious event of worldwide significance.

It is well recognized thatombudsmen and national human rights institutions play a pivotal role in ensuring climate justice. These institutions are integral in safeguarding the right to a healthy environment, occupying a key position within the human rights framework, and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by climate change," she said.

Aliyeva also pointed out the involvement of the Azerbaijani Ombudsman's office in the COP29 Organizing Committee, established by a presidential decree, which aims to ensure that human rights considerations are integrated into discussions on climate change.

"To organize this prestigious event at the highest level, which today stands as a symbol of great respect and trust for Azerbaijan on the global stage, we, as a member of the COP29 Organizing Committee and as a national human rights institution, have strived to contribute to this important process in every possible way. Our aim is not only to achieve successful outcomes for our country but also to advance the collective well-being of humanity as a whole.

In this context, on the initiative of the Ombudsman and with the full support of the Azerbaijani government, the Baku International Forum on“Climate Change and Human Rights: The Role of Ombudspersons and National Human Rights Institutions” was held on October 2 of this year,” Aliyeva said.

According to her, the forum provided a platform to discuss the human rights challenges caused by climate change, explore possible solutions from a human rights perspective, and share positive experiences from various regions. The forum also highlighted critical challenges and concluded with the adoption of a final declaration by its participants.

“The purpose of today's plenary discussion, titled 'Climate Justice on Human Rights: The Role of National Human Rights Institutions', organized by the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Institute, is to focus on the protection of the most vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by climate change. In this regard, we will explore a range of critical issues, including 'Protection of vulnerable groups most affected by climate change: problems and upcoming challenges', "Protection of the environment in line with the Sustainable Development Goals', 'Possibilities of enhancing the role of the ombudsman institution in ensuring climate justice', 'The role of national human rights institutions in preventing human rights violations caused by climate change and strategies for their protection' and other relevant topics as part of the broader COP29 framework.

I believe that, given the global nature of climate change, it is essential to foster cooperation both at the national and international levels. We must raise awareness about the profound legal, social, and economic impacts of climate change on communities worldwide. To safeguard human rights on a global scale, it is crucial to engage in more expansive discussions and to further strengthen the international legal framework. It is equally important that we share our experiences, as well as those of other nations, and disseminate successful practices that can be adopted more broadly.

In this regard, I urge all of you to stand in solidarity, working together to take decisive and urgent action-both nationally and internationally-to address the challenges posed by climate change,” she added.

To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) started in Baku on November 11. 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 in the climate system.

A total of 198 countries are Parties to the Convention. Unless the parties decide otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.

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