Rabat, November 4, Chouaib Brhadda, AZERTAC

As the world counts down to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), Azerbaijan—the jewel of the Caucasus—will showcase its outstanding organizational ability to host such a key international event in Baku, dedicated to protecting Earth and humanity.

In this regard, AZERTAC continues its series of in-depth interviews with prominent figures from academia, media, and science to capture their views and opinions. Today, we welcome a distinguished cultural and academic figure who can offer valuable insights into the Conference's mission of finding solutions to climate challenges and taking action to protect both the environment and humanity.

Salim M. Al Malik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), shared his insights with AZERTAC on Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29.

- What are the key achievements of the COP in addressing climate change since its first session?

- Since its first session in Berlin in 1995, the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change has been instrumental in addressing global climate issues, fostering international cooperation, mobilizing resources, and raising awareness about the adverse effects of climate change. The Conference has also been crucial in strengthening collective action and encouraging countries to make increasingly ambitious climate commitments year after year.

A key COP achievement has been increasing funding for climate-related initiatives and projects. This has enabled countries, particularly developing nations vulnerable to the impact of climate change, to secure the necessary financial resources for implementing effective climate adaptation policies.

These annual meetings have produced tangible results in enhancing cooperation among the Member States, addressing common challenges, sharing experiences, and implementing best practices adapted to local contexts.

A major milestone was reached at COP21 in Paris, in December 2015, when 197 countries adopted the "Paris Agreement" to combat climate change. This Agreement aims to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and limit this century's temperature rise to 2C.

COP28 in Dubai, UAE, marked another historic achievement with the first-ever global agreement calling for a transition away from fossil fuels. This breakthrough demonstrates international consensus on the importance of shifting toward renewable energy sources and sustainable practices, especially crucial for countries most affected by climate change.

Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 adds to the Islamic world's track record in climate action, marking the third consecutive COP hosted by an ICESCO Member State, following Egypt and the UAE. This continuity demonstrates ICESCO Member States' commitment to intensifying climate action and promoting sustainable development in the region.

- As an academic, how ready do you think Azerbaijan is to host this event and meet the high expectations that come with it? Also, what role do you see science and knowledge playing in achieving the COP’s goals?

- I want to express my complete confidence in Azerbaijan's ability to successfully organize this major international event. Their impressive organizational capabilities have earned them the international community's trust in hosting this crucial global climate change conference.

This is not the first time Baku has hosted major international events attended by world leaders, kings, and heads of state. The city has an impressive track record of successfully organizing international conferences and forums, thanks to its exceptional human and technical resources that consistently draw global attention.

I avail myself of this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for his sustained support of ICESCO's activities and initiatives, both in Azerbaijan and across the Islamic world. Azerbaijan dedicated a pavilion for ICESCO in the Blue Zone, in reflection of the unwavering support of its leadership and competent parties in the organization’s work.

The pavilion will host numerous daily activities, sessions, and scientific discussions showcasing ICESCO's environmental initiatives in the Islamic world, examining the relationship between climate change and cultural heritage preservation, and highlighting our innovative approaches in this field.

I should note that ICESCO's unprecedented participation in this international summit has been carefully coordinated with Azerbaijan's organizing authorities through several high-level meetings. During Summit preparations, I personally registered the Azerbaijani authorities' commitment to ensuring diverse participation from many stakeholders, aiming to create an international platform for environmental dialogue and climate solutions.

For COP29, science and knowledge are not merely supporting elements. They are fundamental building blocks for understanding climate change and developing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

In this context, ICESCO and its partners will host a major event on November 16, 2024, on "Enhancing Water Security, Biodiversity, and Peace through Innovation and Earth Observation," highlighting how scientific innovation and Earth observation technologies can address today's pressing environmental challenges.

- How does ICESCO prioritize climate and environmental programs, considering the integrated scientific and educational aspects of the Islamic world culture?

- ICESCO collaborates with its partners to advance shared environmental goals and capitalize on education, scientific research, and innovation to address humanity's climate challenges. ICESCO develops and implements innovative environmental initiatives, programs, and projects. We focus on environmental protection by strengthening institutional and human capacities and holding training workshops in various areas, including renewable energy, desertification control, natural disaster risk mitigation, water resource management, and smart agriculture.

One notable example is ICESCO's Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient Cities Program, which promotes these concepts in the Member States and works to improve natural resource management and increase renewable energy adoption. Another significant initiative is our WASH program to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene services in 1,000 rural schools across the Islamic world, with its first phase benefiting Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, and Uganda.

We have also organized a contest to develop methods for transforming bio-waste into food bars, thus supporting the UN's second SDG of eliminating hunger. This initiative leverages modern technology to create innovative solutions for food security while addressing environmental challenges.

Another successful initiative is ICESCO's program to produce 500,000 seedlings across the Islamic world. This project has achieved significant success in Mauritania, Togo, and the Gambia, where thousands of seedlings have been planted, restoring and rehabilitating large areas of degraded land.

Likewise, in recognition of the key role young people play in fighting climate change, ICESCO's Regional Office in Sharjah, UAE, recently organized a Climate Leadership Training Camp for youth from various Muslim countries. This program aims to develop their capacity to design and implement innovative climate action projects, thus helping build a generation of young leaders equipped to address the climate challenges threatening our world's future.

- What are your expectations for COP29?

- Through COP29, we hope to see participating countries strengthen their climate commitments and enhance their determination to tackle the climate crisis. We also anticipate the development of more streamlined mechanisms for funding climate-related initiatives. We remain optimistic in the global community’s ability to build climate resilience and create a sustainable future, though anchoring international cooperation and fostering shared responsibility.

I particularly hope that the Parties to the Convention will agree on new collective quantitative targets for the post-2025 period and a new financing framework to replace the current commitment from developed nations to provide $100 billion annually to help developing countries adapt to climate change impacts. Given today's climate challenges, this financial support needs to be significantly increased.

Throughout the conference sessions and various activities, ICESCO will work to help build international consensus around the ambitious initiatives proposed by the COP presidency. This includes supporting the launch of new funds and commitments and making major announcements regarding climate action efforts.

During the preparation period, our organization has worked to ensure strong participation from Muslim nations at COP29, alongside representatives from ICESCO's global partner organizations and institutions. This broad participation will enrich COP’s discussions and scientific sessions, helping to achieve its ambitious goals.