“Mountain ecosystems have gradually gained relevance and presence on the COP agenda. In the Global Overview presented at COP28 in Dubai, we called for the identification of comprehensive and multisectoral solutions for the protection and restoration of mountain environments. Last June, at the Bonn Climate Change Conference, we held an expert dialogue on mountains and climate change. We are currently working on agreeing adaptation indicators for mountain ecosystems under the Global Goal on Adaptation,” said Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and President of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, at the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad,’ a high-level global dialogue on the theme "Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity," held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Highlighting the significant challenges faced by remote mountainous regions with global implications, Babayev emphasized the urgent need for collective action.

He also addressed the alarming melting of glaciers and ice sheets, which is causing sea levels to rise rapidly. Babayev stated that humanity must work to prevent these changes where possible and adapt to them when necessary.

“Azerbaijan is the first country in the region to host a COP climate conference. We were also one of the few mountainous countries to host the event. We recognized our responsibility to represent these communities and highlight the challenges they face on the global stage. Our goal was to raise ambitions above all else. Consequently, we persuaded more than 70 countries to support the COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action. They committed to promoting partnerships and dialogue, strengthening scientific understanding, and improving climate policies related to water,” Babayev added.

He also noted that to enhance continuity and coherence from one COP to another, the high-level COP29 Presidency event launched the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action.

As part of the ‘Sagarmatha Sambaad,’ Mukhtar Babayev is scheduled to meet with Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Sharma Oli, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, and Minister of Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri.

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