About 100 non-governmental organizations of Uzbekistan have issued a statement of solidarity with Azerbaijan in connection with the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Ednews informs.

The document expresses sincere support for Azerbaijan's chairmanship at COP29, which will be held in Baku in November 2024.

“This event will include the 29th session of the COP, the 19th meeting of the COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, and the sixth meeting of the COP serving as the meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement, where, among other things, the first expanded transparency framework and a new collective quantitative goal for finance will be completed.

The 61st sessions of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation will also be held,” reads the statement.

According to the document, Uzbekistan, as a state that recognizes the critical importance of combating global climate challenges, has been a party to the UNFCCC since 1993 and a participant in the Paris Agreement: “We highly appreciate the commitment and leadership shown by the COP29 Presidency and Azerbaijan in promoting climate action in the international arena. Despite a growing population and urbanization processes, Uzbekistan is committed to more sustainable use of natural resources and an end to unsustainable consumption and production patterns. The country is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, so decarbonization of the industrial, agricultural and transport sectors, as well as adaptation to new realities, are of vital importance for Uzbekistan.

Civil society in Uzbekistan is making efforts to achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, recognizing the need to meet current needs without harming future generations. We believe that addressing climate change is of utmost importance, and now is the time to take bold and decisive steps to mitigate impacts, protect vulnerable communities and preserve valuable ecosystems."

The statement emphasizes that the civil society of Uzbekistan highly appreciates the commitment of the COP29 chairmanship and Azerbaijan to the development of dialogue, cooperation and innovation. With a rich cultural and natural heritage, Azerbaijan acts not only as a careful custodian of valuable environmental resources, but also as an active defender of the environment and combating climate change, reads the statement.

"Uzbekistan expresses optimism that Azerbaijan will achieve meaningful consensus results at the upcoming COP29 negotiations. Uzbekistan's civil society stands in solidarity with Azerbaijan's COP29 Chairmanship in their desire to accelerate climate action and create a brighter future for our planet. We enthusiastically look forward to the opportunity to contribute to combating climate change and building a world in which both people and nature thrive,” the document notes.