BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 8. The voices of
young people must be at the center of efforts to fulfill climate
commitments, not just in climate discussions, Azerbaijan’s Deputy
Foreign Minister and COP29 lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev said,
Trend's correspondent
reports from the event.


Yalchin Rafiyev made this statement at the roundtable “Youth-Led
Climate Forum: Roundtable I - From Commitments to Implementation:
On the Road to COP31,” held as part of Baku Climate Action Week in
Baku.


He noted that Azerbaijan has always considered youth a priority
on its national agenda.


“Youth are the future of every country and the driving force
behind progress. They bring knowledge, innovation, and creative
energy to society. At the same time, young people and children are
among the groups that contribute the least to climate change, yet
they are also among those who suffer the most from its
consequences,” Rafiyev noted.


According to the deputy minister, young people not only feel the
effects of the decisions made today, but also participate in
shaping those decisions, drive innovation, and demand greater
ambition.


He emphasized that equipping young people with knowledge and
skills, as well as providing them with real opportunities to
participate in decision-making, is crucial for building a
sustainable and low-carbon future.


“During its presidency of COP29, Azerbaijan made children and
youth one of the key priorities of the global climate agenda. Our
Youth Climate Champion seized every opportunity to ensure that the
voices and perspectives of young people and children were heard on
the international stage,” Rafiyev said.


He noted that although Azerbaijan handed over the COP presidency
to Türkiye last year, it continues to play an active role in global
climate diplomacy.







As a member of the COP Troika within the framework of the
“Baku–Belém Mission to Achieve 1.5°C,” Azerbaijan is working on a
report for COP31 together with its Brazilian, Turkish, and
Australian counterparts.


Rafiyev noted that this process also involves collaboration with
young people, and their proposals are being taken into account.


“Holding this year’s UNFCCC Climate Week in parallel with Baku
Climate Action Week gives Azerbaijan another opportunity to keep
young people at the center of climate discussions. Today’s forum
and other youth-focused events taking place throughout the week
demonstrate our determination to maintain this momentum and, more
importantly, to translate climate commitments into concrete
results,” the deputy minister added.


In addition, Rafiev called on partners in climate diplomacy to
place children, youth, and future generations at the center of the
climate agenda.


“As we approach COP31, we need your voices not only in
discussions but also at the very heart of implementation. In this
regard, the active participation of young people, as demonstrated
by Türkiye and Australia as part of their upcoming COP31
presidencies, gives us hope,” he said.


The deputy minister wished Sally Higgins, the COP31 Youth
Climate Champion, success in her endeavors.