Baku: A session titled ‘From Baku to COP31: Maintaining Momentum in a Fragmented World’ was held as part of Baku Climate Action Week 2026. Moderated by Ambassador Malini Mehra, the session focused on preserving and building on the legacy of COP29, identifying the achievements and lessons from Baku that should continue shaping the global climate agenda in the years ahead.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the session addressed the need to rebuild trust between the Global North and the Global South, exploring pathways toward climate negotiations that are more inclusive, equitable, and implementation-oriented. Keynote speakers included Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, COP29 President, Dmytro Shlapachenko, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, Elnur Soltanov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Christian Mensah, Senior Advisor to the COP31 CHLC, Elchin Allahverdiyev, Director of the Climate Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, and Patricia Scotland, Former Commonwealth Secretary-General and Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, as well as a Member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC).
Participants highlighted the role of governments, business, cities, parliaments, and civil society in maintaining momentum between COPs. They emphasized the need to build on the outcomes of Baku ahead of COP31 to drive greater ambition and tangible progress.