The inaugural Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW), taking place from September 30 to October 4, 2024, has begun, with over 700 registered attendees from all over the world. The event will bring together diverse sustainability experts, policymakers, leaders from the private sector and civil society to explore and accelerate scalable climate solutions. As the international community prepares for COP29 in Baku this November, BCAW will serve as a critical moment in the climate calendar.
Following the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week, BCAW will amplify the momentum towards the Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C announced by the COP Presidencies Troika and support the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda.
The event will commence with an opening ceremony featuring distinguished speakers, including Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, United Nations Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 and Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President Designate. Baku Climate Action Week will be held in partnership with London Climate Action Week, further strengthening international collaboration and synergy when it comes to advancing climate solutions.
Engage, Innovate, Accelerate
The event, under the banner “Engage, Innovate, Accelerate,” embodies a proactive approach to the ongoing climate challenge. It will include a high-level conference featuring international delegates, roundtables, plenaries, panels, and the signing of pledges. By merging global insights with local initiatives, BCAW aims to inspire and mobilize local stakeholders through the participation of international thought leaders at this pivotal time in the lead up to COP29. BCAW represents the first step in a comprehensive mobilization effort across Azerbaijani society, highlighting the necessity of inclusive engagement and innovative solutions to facilitate a just and green transition. Engaging everyone from all levels of society, from political and business leaders to local communities and young people, it will serve as an educational and inspirational platform to address Azerbaijan’s current climate challenges and explore the opportunities presented by the green transition.
BCAW will demonstrate Azerbaijan’s commitment to taking on a significant role in national green transformations, showcasing regional leadership ahead of COP29. The gathering will be a crucial inflection point for fostering discourse around the green transition, rooted in local and regional realities. Additionally, BCAW will strive to support Azerbaijan’s transition through new collaborations, investments, and partnerships with organizations that share a commitment to sustainable development and climate action.
Thematic Focus and Program
The week will focus on essential themes delivered in partnership with local, national, and international collaborators. This year’s key themes include Energy Transition, Cities/Built Environment, Water Security, Food & Agriculture, SMEs, and Green Skills. The first half of the week (September 30 to October 2) will showcase climate solutions involving public institutions, academia, and the private sector and will feature a high-level international conference.
The second half (October 3-4) will focus on contributions from science, academia, arts, and culture, highlighting Baku’s rich cultural heritage as a backdrop to explore the country’s transition. This segment will feature immersive experiences such as walks, talks, and exhibitions. Additionally, this part of the week will serve as a platform to work on and sign key pledges, further solidifying commitments to climate action and collaboration.
BCAW will also signal the advent of a nationwide climate conversation, building incrementally towards a comprehensive mobilization effort involving the whole state and society. Multiple venues across the city will host both public and private events over the course of the week. The principal venues for the official program include some of Baku’s most iconic landmarks including Heydar Aliyev Center, Stone Chronicle Museum, ADA University.
Announcing the launch of Baku Climate Action Week, COP29 High-Level Climate Champion Nigar Arpadarai stated: “Azerbaijan is honored to host COP29 this November, and the Presidency is dedicated to making it a success. We acknowledge that cities and the private sector are crucial in driving climate solutions and supporting international diplomacy. That is why, as COP29 High-Level Champion, I, alongside the COP29 Presidency, am proud to lead the inaugural Baku Climate Action Week.”
COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev said, “In this important year for Azerbaijan, Baku Climate Action Week is another crucial step in deepening our national conversation to accelerate climate action. Azerbaijan aims to lead by example, and COP29’s vision of enhancing ambition and enabling action requires the participation of all nations, both developed and developing.
Mayor of Baku, Eldar Azizov, declared: “In this landmark year for both our city and Azerbaijan, we are honored to take on the significant responsibility of organizing such a prestigious and large-scale event. Preparations are advancing rapidly, and we are fully on course to deliver what promises to be an exceptional, world-class COP29 event. Baku is no stranger to hosting major international conferences, and this year is no different—Baku Climate Action Week stands as the latest example of our city’s global leadership. The venues selected for the inaugural edition of Baku Climate Action Week have been carefully chosen to highlight the diverse elements of Baku’s rich cultural heritage, allowing us to showcase the story of an ancient city and a nation undergoing a dynamic transformation.”
Commenting on the partnership between London and Baku Climate Action Week, Nick Mabey OBE, Founder & Chair of London Climate Action Week, said: “Baku Climate Action Week has assembled an impressive “whole of society” line up of events focused on driving national, regional & global action. At London Climate Action Week we are proud to be able to support another powerful member of the growing global climate week family. Only by building broad and stronger support will we be able to drive the transformational changes required to achieve net zero”
Prof. Sir Jim Skea, Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) added: “I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to the city of Baku on joining an ever-growing group of premium cities organizing their own climate action week. As the Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC, I am delighted and truly honored to address this inaugural Baku Climate Action Week. This is a unique initiative bringing together and strengthening the dialogue and interaction between cities, the private sector and financial institutions. Climate Action Week offers a platform to engage, inspire and bring on board the city of Baku and its people. This effort can contribute to and support the outcomes and success of the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29).”
