Erdogan attends COP29 in Baku, aims for actionable climate commitments

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan landed in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, on Monday to attend the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, a high-profile event within the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29. The summit, which kicked off earlier in the day, has attracted heads of state, policymakers, and environmental advocates, all united in addressing the intensifying global climate crisis.

Erdogan’s arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport was marked by a welcome ceremony hosted by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Cahit Bagci. Senior military officials were also present to greet the Turkish leader.

Accompanying Erdogan were several key members of his administration, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Chief Advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin. Their presence highlights Türkiye’s commitment to engaging with international stakeholders on the pressing issues of climate policy and sustainable development.

The 29th iteration of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference, hosted this year by Azerbaijan, aims to foster actionable commitments and explore innovative funding solutions to combat the increasingly visible impacts of climate change. The event is set to prioritize not only pledges but also tangible steps for implementation, with hopes of making a substantial difference on a global scale.

As Erdogan and other leaders convene for the summit, expectations are high for collaborative efforts that will steer countries toward sustainable practices and environmental resilience in the face of mounting ecological challenges.