BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 7. COP31 must
ensure a transition from climate commitments to implementation and
tangible results, Samed Agirbas, COP31 High-Level Climate Leader
and president of the Zero Waste Foundation, said, Trend’s correspondent
reports from the event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Fourth Climate Week of
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku,
Agirbas praised Azerbaijan for its hospitality during COP29 and for
continuing to support the climate agenda.
“We have learned a great deal from the COP29 presidency.
Therefore, we are not starting a new journey today; we are
continuing the journey to COP31 together,” he said, adding that the
process is moving “from Baku toward COP31 in Türkiye.”
According to Agirbas, COP31 should bring climate ambitions
closer to the real economy by turning commitments into projects
that can attract investment and climate financing, as well as into
large-scale solutions.
He stressed the importance of climate finance, particularly for
developing countries, least developed countries and small island
developing states facing serious climate-related threats. Agirbas
also called for stronger cooperation between public and private
sources of financing and urged stakeholders to ensure that climate
action reaches cities, communities and people.
He said the conference should accelerate the energy transition,
mobilize climate finance and bring governments, businesses,
investors, cities and civil society together around practical
solutions. “Non-state actors should be active partners in
implementation, rather than simply participants in discussions,”
Agirbas said.
He also highlighted the global Zero Waste movement led by
Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdogan, saying it demonstrates how
climate action can begin with individual daily choices and develop
into a global movement. According to Agirbas, the circular economy
and efficient use of resources should become integral parts of
climate action, with waste viewed not simply as a problem but as a
potential source of economic value.
He said the experience gained during COP29, the strong ties
between Türkiye and Azerbaijan, and support from international
partners could help make COP31 a conference focused on
implementation, partnerships and tangible results.
The Fourth Climate Week of the UNFCCC is being held in Baku
through Sept. 11. The event is hosted by Azerbaijan and organized
by the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event brings
together government officials, representatives of international
organizations, experts, financial institutions, the private sector
and civil society.
The program includes sessions and panel discussions on climate
change, climate finance, sustainable development and accelerated
climate action. The events are expected to further strengthen
Baku's role as a global climate platform and promote international
cooperation ahead of COP31.
