BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 17. The world’s most
climate-vulnerable countries are receiving only a fraction of the
financing required for climate resilience, according to Elshad
Isgandarov, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Azerbaijan, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.


He said that least developed countries receive only about 10% of
the climate resilience funding they actually need — equivalent to
roughly 100 times less than required.


He made the remarks during a high-level dialogue titled
"High-Level Dialogue: "Capacity Development More Than Aid" –
AIDA-IDB Partnership on International Technical Assistance for
Resilience and Sustainable Development" held on the sidelines of
the 51st Annual Meeting of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
Group in Baku.


Isgandarov said organizing international events and high-level
dialogues has become significantly easier in recent years, citing
faster coordination and more structured engagement among
partners.


He recalled his earlier experience within the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation, saying that organizing similar panels a decade
ago required far more time and effort.


He noted that climate resilience is becoming an increasingly
important component of international technical assistance and
development cooperation.


“The experience and knowledge Azerbaijan has gained in climate
diplomacy, as well as the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub
launched under COP29, are important legacies in this direction,” he
said.


Isgandarov also warned of what he described as a “vicious cycle”
affecting vulnerable countries, where conflict, weak climate
action, and limited institutional capacity reinforce one another,
further reducing access to international financial support despite
higher exposure to climate risks.


He cited data showing that 18 of the 25 most climate-vulnerable
countries are affected by conflict or fragility. These countries
receive around $2.1 per capita in aid, compared with $18 per capita
in other least developed countries.


He added that least developed countries as a whole receive only
about 10% of the financing required for climate resilience.


Isgandarov also highlighted the complexity of international
climate finance systems, saying that bureaucratic procedures and
multiple intermediaries make access difficult for vulnerable
states.


He said Azerbaijan’s approach during COP29 focused on building a
cooperation platform bringing together donor countries,
multilateral development banks, academia, and climate and peace
organizations to improve coordination and develop scalable pilot
projects capable of attracting investment.