Baku, June 5, AZERTAC

The Republic of Azerbaijan hosted the World Environment Day (WED) in Baku in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The event was held under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”

Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues, read out an address by President Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the event.

Addressing the event, Rashad Ismayilov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, underlined that environment and natural resources we depend on, including forests, biodiversity, oceans, rivers, and the air we breathe, constitute our shared wealth. The Minister said Azerbaijan is currently implementing large-scale initiatives focused on green development and renewable energy adoption.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, highlighted Azerbaijan’s strategic importance in global, regional, and national climate action. She also hailed Azerbaijan’s strong leadership demonstrated during its hosting of COP29.

“This World Environment Day, warning signals are everywhere. The past eleven years have been the eleven hottest on record. And the damage goes far beyond rising temperatures – from polluted air to degraded land, collapsing ecosystems, and vanishing biodiversity. Harming health, destroying homes and deepening hunger. The world is heading for a temporary overshoot above 1.5 degrees,” the UN Secretary General António Guterres said in a video message to participants of the event dedicated to the World Environment Day in Baku.

“Every fraction of a degree brings greater harm – especially to the most vulnerable. Our task is to make that overshoot as small, as short, and as safe as possible – and rapidly bring temperatures back down.

That means slashing emissions. Accelerating a just transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewables – the only sustainable path to lower costs and to real energy security. Cutting methane – one of the fastest, cheapest ways to limit near-term warming. Protecting forests, land, and seas. Helping communities adapt to the devastating impacts already here. And it means fulfilling climate finance promises to developing countries – to save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen economies. This is the moment to act – for our environment and for our future,” the UN Secretary General emphasized.

“As the COP31 Presidency, we will closely monitor the implementation of commitments undertaken within the COP29 framework, especially the Baku Finance Goal,” Türkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum said in a video message addressed to the participants of the international event marking the World Environment Day (WED) held in Baku.

He mentioned that cooperation and tangible results will be at the forefront of COP31. “Because the world no longer wants to hear only new promises. The world wants to see that the promises made are being fulfilled,” he noted.

“The key to this success is the involvement of all segments of society in the process. We believe that everyone, from governments to local authorities, from the private sector to academia, from youth to women, from civil society to the financial world, should be part of this transformation. We see COP31 as a platform where shared responsibility, solid partnerships, climate diplomacy that enhances trust, and concrete action come together,” Murat Kurum mentioned.

The COP31 President-Designate invited the event participants to COP31, which is scheduled to take place in Antalya: “We will be delighted to welcome you to our country in November,” he added.

“This is a pivotal moment and excellent opportunity for all of us to unite around this critical issue. Our goal is to ensure that the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), COP29, and COP30 deliver tangible outcomes, COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago said in a video message addressed to the participants of the international event marking the World Environment Day held in Baku.

The COP30 President underlined that COP30 represents a pivotal milestone, marking the transition into a true stage of implementation. He also thanked for the organization of the event and for the meaningful discussions during the event, expressing his confidence ahead of the upcoming meeting and their shared commitment to their vital fight.

“Azerbaijan stands at the crossroads of some of the most important global conversations on urban development, environment, and climate action. Azerbaijan, which hosted milestones such as COP29 and the World Economic Forum to this year's World Environment Day global celebrations, will be later welcoming an official UNFCCC climate week,” Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), said in a video address to the participants of the international event marking the World Environment Day 2026.

“At the World Economic Forum, the Baku Continuity Coalition brought together COP preferences, creating a critical platform to advance an integrated approach that bridges the urban and climate agendas and strengthens alignment between the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda, demonstrating how serious the Government of Azerbaijan takes connecting global agendas.

The Baku Continuity Coalition from the World Economic Forum reminds us that our cities must evolve in harmony with the natural systems that sustain life. Equally, the World Environment Day’s theme “Inspired by nature. For climate. For Our Future,” she noted.

“The Baku Call to Action underscores housing as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development, calling for a decisive shift toward inclusive, affordable and climate resilient homes for all. It calls for a renewed commitment to nature-based solutions, restoring ecosystems, designing greener urban spaces, and strengthening resilience so that human settlements not only reduce their environmental footprint, but actively build communities' resilience. By aligning urban development with the wisdom of nature, we can transform our cities into drivers of climate action and inclusive prosperity, ensuring a sustainable and hopeful future for generations to come,” the UN-Habitat Executive Director emphasized.

In his video message, Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, has called on countries to step up climate action and fulfill their international commitments.

He mentioned that countries should fulfill their commitments to combat climate change. “We must act together, and the negotiation process must be intensified,” the Executive Secretary emphasized.

Speaking at the event, Serbian Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov underscored that the global community faces a complex interrelated crisis, including climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution, and escalating strain on water resources.

Following the speeches, the event featured a cultural part, including the screening of videos showcasing Azerbaijan's diverse natural landscapes.

In observance of World Environment Day, guests also toured an open-air exhibition.

The international event culminated in a series of engaging panel discussions.