Sustainability, climate change, and the Paris Agreement are all terms that have been everywhere for the last few years, but how much is actually being done to address them?
This year, the UN Climate Change Conference returns with COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, with the theme of climate finance at the forefront—because meaningful climate action requires a serious financial commitment.
From November 11 to November 22, world leaders, activists, and change-makers are confronting the hard truth that without billions in new investments, climate goals remain out of reach.
ICDO’s Panel: Diverse Perspectives on Climate Action and Sustainability
Ahead of COP29, ICDO hosted a powerful panel discussion on “Climate Change & Sustainability” at our Long Nights of Interculturality event in September, bringing together a diverse mix of diplomats, activists, and sustainability experts.
Among them, H.E. Ambassador Manizha Bakhtar from Afghanistan shared her perspective on the country’s humanitarian crises, noting that climate disasters like deforestation and earthquakes further contribute to the population’s suffering.
Meanwhile, OSCE Coordinator Bakyt Dzhusupov highlighted that climate change is anything but gender-neutral—women face higher risks yet hold little representation in climate policy. Delving into the role of young people in climate discussions, youth activist Ela Mesinovic passionately underscored the role of young people in demanding climate accountability, calling for a stronger connection between youth and political leaders.
Another thought-provoking moment came from ICDO advisor of the executive board, Anthony Löwstadt, who questioned if “climate change” is even the right term. Change, he pointed out, isn’t inherently negative; terms like “biodiversity loss” may capture the crisis’s urgency more accurately. Lastly, Ms. Zulfiyya Alizada, representing the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan, offered insight into Azerbaijan’s plans for COP29 as hosts.
With a dual strategy to “enhance ambition and enable action,” Azerbaijan is focusing on projects that not only cut emissions but also foster sustainable development.
Now one question remains: which of these pressing topics—be it finance, gender equity, or biodiversity loss—will take center stage at COP29?
COP29 Highlights: Major Developments
With the summit underway, certain themes are emerging: finance, disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities, and youth advocacy. UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that climate finance must prioritize developing nations, especially small island states, which face the worst impacts despite contributing the least to global emissions.
Reflecting the panel’s conversation, Guterres emphasized that the people suffering most from the climate crisis are often those with the least responsibility for it—while big emitters, particularly the fossil fuel industry, still profit. Having witnessed the effects of climate change through our Following the Maya Voice project—an initiative to strengthen the bond between the Maya people and biodiversity by promoting traditional knowledge and establishing sustainable conservation strategies—the ICDO underscores the critical need to include indigenous communities in pivotal climate change discussions. Yet ironically, leaders of 13 of the world’s top carbon-emitting nations, including the U.S., China, and India, are skipping COP29 entirely, sending a powerful message on the barriers to real change.
Some other topics have been touched upon as well: Regarding the role of youth activism to tackle the climate crisis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed solidarity with young climate advocates at COP29 saying “You have every right to be angry”. Reflecting on Mr. Dzhusupov’s point about gender disparities, a high-level event on “gender in transparency” scheduled for November 21 aims to address inequities in climate change discussions as well.
These developments raise pressing questions for the remainder of COP29: What concrete steps will ensure indigenous communities have a seat at the table? How can climate financing be effectively implemented if leaders from the most responsible and wealthy nations remain absent? And in what ways can the voices of youth and women be prioritized in the fight against climate change?
Perhaps the key takeaway from COP29 is that the voices demanding change the loudest—vulnerable communities, youth, and women—remain underrepresented at the decision-making table. And without that shift, will the most critical conversations ever turn into action?
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