Baku: A high-level roundtable discussion titled ‘From Commitments to Implementation: Towards COP31’ was held as part of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026).

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and President of COP29, addressed the event, emphasizing that climate action is reshaping skills, professions, and opportunities for the future. He highlighted the necessity of equipping young people with both knowledge and practical skills through education, closely linking these with science, technology, and innovation. Babayev stressed the importance of providing youth with access to emerging opportunities in sectors such as clean energy, engineering, finance, and agriculture.

Babayev further noted Azerbaijan’s commitment to youth engagement in international climate processes, with a focus on education, skills, and capacity-building. He mentioned collaborative efforts with international partners to ensure the perspectives of children and young people are better integrated into climate action.

COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev remarked on Azerbaijan’s efforts to elevate the role of children and youth on the global climate agenda, emphasizing their continued involvement in preparations for COP31. Fatma Varank, CEO of COP31, outlined several key priorities on the COP31 agenda, particularly the education of young people and enhancing international awareness of climate action’s importance by 2035.

COP31 Youth Champion Sally Higgins highlighted that COP31 is positioned as the ‘COP of the future,’ with a focus on implementation rather than just commitments. She emphasized that success should be measured by practical outcomes.

The discussion underscored the role of youth in global climate action and the importance of linking education with practical opportunities. Speakers emphasized the need to enhance youth capacity in climate diplomacy from COP29 to COP31, ensuring their meaningful involvement in decision-making processes.

Baku: A high-level roundtable discussion titled ‘From Commitments to Implementation: Towards COP31’ was held as part of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026).

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and President of COP29, addressed the event, emphasizing that climate action is reshaping skills, professions, and opportunities for the future. He highlighted the necessity of equipping young people with both knowledge and practical skills through education, closely linking these with science, technology, and innovation. Babayev stressed the importance of providing youth with access to emerging opportunities in sectors such as clean energy, engineering, finance, and agriculture.

Babayev further noted Azerbaijan’s commitment to youth engagement in international climate processes, with a focus on education, skills, and capacity-building. He mentioned collaborative efforts with international partners to ensure the perspectives of children and young people are better integrated into climate action.

COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev remarked on Azerbaijan’s efforts to elevate the role of children and youth on the global climate agenda, emphasizing their continued involvement in preparations for COP31. Fatma Varank, CEO of COP31, outlined several key priorities on the COP31 agenda, particularly the education of young people and enhancing international awareness of climate action’s importance by 2035.

COP31 Youth Champion Sally Higgins highlighted that COP31 is positioned as the ‘COP of the future,’ with a focus on implementation rather than just commitments. She emphasized that success should be measured by practical outcomes.

The discussion underscored the role of youth in global climate action and the importance of linking education with practical opportunities. Speakers emphasized the need to enhance youth capacity in climate diplomacy from COP29 to COP31, ensuring their meaningful involvement in decision-making processes.