BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 6. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of
Pre-COP Leaders’ Event 2026.
The text of the address was published on the official website of
the President of Azerbaijan.
"Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the
Governments of Fiji, Tuvalu and Australia for convening this unique
Pre-COP Leaders’ Event which brings the global community directly
to the frontlines of climate crisis.
As the proud host country of COP29, Azerbaijan joins this
high-level event with a deep sense of continuity and unwavering
commitment to advancing the global climate agenda. Our COP
experience further confirmed that climate action can neither be
delayed, nor achieved in isolation. We stand here today to bridge
the Baku COP29 legacy with the key decisions ahead, ensuring that
the momentum built in Azerbaijan directly supports the path toward
a successful 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).
It is profoundly symbolic that this gathering is convened in the
Pacific, specifically in Tuvalu and Fiji, countries for which
climate change is a daily reality. Today no region on the Earth is
spared from the consequences of climate change, but for some of
them like Tuvalu, it presents an existential threat.
While Azerbaijan is facing its own climate-related challenges,
such as shrinking of the Caspian Sea, water scarcity and frequent
floods, we recognize that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are
the most exposed to the climate crisis. Despite their negligible
contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, climate change
disproportionately affects their economies and infrastructure,
destroys livelihoods and ecosystems.
Azerbaijan has consistently advocated for ensuring that the
voices of those bearing the brunt of this crisis are not only heard
but also actively shape global climate policy. Addressing these
countries’ unique vulnerabilities requires enhanced international
cooperation and coordinated global action. Supporting SIDS is a
shared responsibility and a moral imperative to ensure that no
country is left behind.
We placed the priorities of SIDS at the forefront of our COP29
Presidency and aimed to keep their concerns high on the
international agenda. Ahead of COP29 Azerbaijan hosted the leaders
of the Bahamas, Tonga and Tuvalu. This visit culminated in the
adoption of the Baku Communique emphasizing the needs of SIDS and
calling for stronger global climate action.
COP29 marked a new stage in our relations with SIDS. Leaders’
Summit of the Small Islands Developing States on Climate Change,
held on the sidelines of COP29 in 2024 in Baku, provided an
important platform to raise awareness of the challenges facing
SIDS. At the Summit, I called on all developed countries,
especially those with a colonial past, to significantly increase
their contributions to assist SIDS in combatting climate
change.
In addition to our multilateral engagement, we have also
supported SIDS through bilateral cooperation tailored to their
national priorities and development needs. We have provided
assistance to a number of the most disaster-prone countries in the
world, in mitigating the impacts of hurricanes, earthquakes and
floods. We also supported water supply, food security and
restoration of cultural heritage projects. Over 10 SIDS have
benefited from our Educational Grant Program, allowing their
citizens to study at universities in Azerbaijan.
As a further tangible step to strengthen climate resilience of
SIDS, a Joint Declaration was signed between Azerbaijan and the
Commonwealth of Nations in 2024. Azerbaijan is providing 10 million
USD in assistance over a period of 5 years to support projects
aimed at climate action in these countries. Our engagement with the
Commonwealth of Nations also envisages the use of satellite data
provided by the Space Agency of Azerbaijan – Azercosmos – for
environmental monitoring and evaluation.
Excellencies,
Azerbaijan and SIDS are separated by thousands of kilometers,
but we are united by a common determination to build climate
resilience. We have always stood and will continue to stand in
solidarity with SIDS and support them in their efforts in achieving
sustainable development and tackling climate change.
I hope that this gathering will serve to amplify our collective
voice and will be pivotal step in the lead-up to the COP31 in
Antalya. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express
Azerbaijan’s full support to the incoming COP31 leadership of
Türkiye and Australia and praise this unique partnership format
connecting different continents.
I wish this event every success. Thank you," the address
reads.
