The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, opened on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, with UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell calling for urgent action on climate finance and international cooperation.
In a pointed and emotional speech, Stiell underscored the devastation climate change continues to bring to communities worldwide and the need for ambitious, collective action to address the escalating crisis.
Stiell, a native of the Caribbean, personalized the climate crisis through the story of his neighbor, 85-year-old Florence from Carriacou, whose home was destroyed by Hurricane Beryl.
“At 85, Florence has become one of the millions of victims of runaway climate change this year alone,” Stiell said.
“There are people like Florence in every country on Earth. Knocked down, and getting back up again.”
His message reinforced the urgent need for leaders at COP29 to set a new global climate finance goal to help vulnerable nations reduce emissions and adapt to increasingly frequent climate catastrophes.
The executive secretary emphasized the potential economic consequences of inaction, warning that without stronger commitments to climate finance and carbon reduction targets, all nations would suffer economically.
“If at least two-thirds of the world’s nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price,” he said.
He urged the attending delegates to dispel the notion that climate finance is mere “charity,” framing it instead as a necessary investment for global stability and economic security.
Stiell highlighted several critical objectives for COP29, including finalizing Article 6 on international carbon markets, securing an ambitious climate finance goal, and setting new adaptation targets.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides mechanisms through which countries can trade emissions reductions and share climate mitigation efforts.
He also called for structural reforms to the global financial system, citing the need for more fiscal space for vulnerable nations.
Stiell’s remarks come as countries prepare to deliver their third round of Nationally Determined Contributions next year.
He announced the launch of UNFCCC’s new Climate Plan Campaign, an initiative to mobilize and support nations in creating and communicating their climate strategies. UNFCCC will also resume regional Climate Weeks starting in 2025 to align global action with its goals more closely.
“We cannot leave Baku without a substantial outcome,” Stiell concluded, urging world leaders to show “determination and ingenuity” to drive meaningful progress.
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