The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) opened in Baku with leaders and delegates calling for urgent, collaborative action on climate change, with a focus on climate finance, adaptation, and inclusive policies for vulnerable groups, including children and youth. Barnfonden’s team member, Velma Oseko, is reporting from the conference.

Today marked the official opening of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan. This session also encompasses the 19th meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 19) and the 6th meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 6). The atmosphere was charged with a palpable sense of urgency and ambition, as leaders and delegates gathered to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change.

The opening remarks by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the outgoing COP 28 President, set a hopeful yet action-driven tone. With a call to “unite, act, and deliver,” he emphasized the need for partnership over division, especially amid global tensions. Reflecting on recent momentum in renewable energy transitions, Dr. Al Jaber highlighted that the UAE’s initiatives have set the stage for further progress, underscoring the critical nature of sustained action in climate finance.

H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, the newly appointed COP 29 President, brought a dose of realism to the session. His warning was clear: “Colleagues, we are on the road to ruin,” he said, citing the current trajectory of policies that could lead to a 3-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures. His focus on the scale of financial commitment was sobering; while the numbers required are daunting, he argued that the cost of inaction is far greater. Babayev emphasized the urgency of finalizing Article 6 on international carbon markets, noting that securing mitigation financing remains a central challenge for this COP. He also stressed that adaptation, long overshadowed by mitigation, must become a priority within the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), particularly as it affects vulnerable communities.

As a child rights ambassador, I was particularly encouraged to hear President Babayev emphasize age- and gender-responsive climate action, recognizing the critical role of inclusive policies that uphold the Lima Work Programme on Gender. This commitment resonates deeply, as children and youth are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts yet often have the least input in shaping climate action. His remarks signal a potential shift towards policies that address the unique needs and voices of younger generations, who will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions.

UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell rounded off the opening session with a call for a “new climate finance goal” and a clear focus on accelerating the shift to clean energy. His message was one of inevitability: the global transition to clean energy is unstoppable, and adaptation goals must not only be set but rigorously measured. This accountability could transform the scope of climate action, ensuring commitments translate into real-world results.

The next two weeks in Baku promise to be intense, with negotiations focusing heavily on climate finance and the finalization of Article 6. There is a strong emphasis on ensuring that adaptation finance, particularly for developing nations and vulnerable communities, is woven into the New Collective Quantified Goal discussions. For child-centered advocates, this moment represents an opportunity to influence a more equitable and future-focused climate policy that centers on justice and resilience.

Stay tuned for updates from the heart of COP 29 as we witness, advocate, and hope for progress on behalf of all generations!

Velma Oseko,

Climate Adviser – Barnfonden