COP29 Introduces Baku Call to Address Climate, Peace, and Humanitarian Challenges

At COP29 in Baku, the COP29 Presidency introduced the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery (BCCAP), a groundbreaking initiative addressing the interlinked challenges of climate change, conflict, and humanitarian crises.

The BCCAP includes the establishment of the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub, a cooperative platform designed to coordinate peace-sensitive climate initiatives and scale up support for climate-vulnerable countries affected by conflict and high humanitarian needs. It builds on efforts such as the COP27 Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace Initiative and Germany’s Climate for Peace Initiative.

COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it prioritizes peace-sensitive climate action and focuses on vulnerable groups, including women, children, and youth, who face the greatest risks from these crises. Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to operationalizing the Hub, aiming to transform the narrative from crisis to development.

Key features of the Baku Call include promoting sustainable water management, climate-resilient agriculture, and ecosystem restoration to tackle water scarcity, food insecurity, and land degradation.

The initiative represents an unprecedented collaboration between Global North and South countries, including Egypt, Italy, Germany, Uganda, the UAE, and the UK. Special Envoy for Climate Change of the Italian Government Francesco Corvaro praised the inclusivity and transformative vision of the BCCAP, calling it a model of global unity to address climate and peace challenges.

Developed over six months through consultations with governments, UN agencies, development banks, civil society, and the private sector, the Baku Call marks a significant step in integrating climate action and conflict resolution. It aims to turn pledges into tangible solutions for the most affected regions.