A high-level roundtable on “Climate Leadership Beyond COP31: Delivering Implementation Through Partnership” has been held as part of Baku Climate Action Week 2026, organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, APA reports.
The roundtable, held as part of preparations for COP31, discussed the development of global climate leadership over the past decade and the experience gained since the Paris Agreement. Participants exchanged views on the impact of the changing geopolitical environment on international climate cooperation, translating climate commitments into concrete action, and new partnership opportunities.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and former President of Latvia, Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, and Mehmet Galip Ensarioğlu, Chairman of the Environment Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, addressed the opening session of the event.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga cited the excessive global use of oil and volcanic activity among the factors contributing to pollution.
The speech also drew attention to the link between pollution and climate change. It was noted that policies and decisions developed by experts and decision-makers should be explained to society in a clear and understandable manner.
Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, said that extreme heat, droughts, floods and wildfires are placing serious pressure on cities, water and food systems, economies and infrastructure. It was noted that, for this reason, international cooperation on climate issues is taking place under more difficult conditions compared with previous years.
He stressed that climate policy should not compete with countries’ national priorities but, on the contrary, should contribute to addressing issues such as energy security, economic development, and food and water security.
Mehmet Galip Ensarioğlu, Chairman of the Environment Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, emphasized the importance of taking into account the different economic and social conditions of countries in combating climate change.
During the speech, it was stated that the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident and that, for this reason, climate policy cannot be considered separately from energy, economic, food, water, technology and development policies.
As part of preparations for COP31, the importance of developing practical and implementable policies that take into account countries’ differing economic and social capacities in order to continue climate cooperation was emphasized.
The subsequent panel session discussed the impact of geopolitical changes on international climate cooperation, energy security, economic competitiveness, healthcare, food systems, technology and sustainable development. Participants also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation among governments, international organizations, financial institutions, businesses, and civil society, translating climate commitments into concrete results, and accelerating implementation on the road to COP31.
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