Shamakhi: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, held key bilateral meetings with Azerbaijan’s climate leadership on the sidelines of the COP Heads of Delegation Retreat in Shamakhi. The discussions focused on strengthening global and regional collaboration on climate resilience, mitigation, and sustainable development ahead of COP-29.
Dr. Malik met with H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP-29 and Special Envoy on Environment to the President of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan and COP-29 Lead Negotiator. The meetings underscored the urgent need for coordinated and equitable international responses to the accelerating impacts of climate change.
The minister stressed that while the Global South disproportionately suffers from climate-induced disasters, the Global North remains historically and currently responsible for the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions. He pointed out Pakistan’s vulnerability due to its proximity to two of the world’s largest carbon emitters, despite contributing minimally to the problem itself.
Calling climate change a transboundary challenge, Dr. Malik emphasized that environmental degradation and extreme weather events recognize no borders and require united global action. He urged developed nations to fulfill their climate finance obligations and take the lead in emissions reductions.
The meetings also explored avenues for enhanced green cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in sectors such as renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, adaptation strategies, and disaster risk reduction.
Dr. Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral climate governance and expressed hope that COP-29 would deliver meaningful progress toward just, inclusive, and science-based global climate action.
