Yalchin Rafiyev, the Lead Negotiator for COP29 (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) and Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister, spoke at the opening of the Baku Climate Action Week 2026.

Operativ Media reports that speaking at the event in Baku, Rafiyev said this platform, established during Azerbaijan's COP29 Presidency, has become a sustainable mechanism uniting governments, the business sector, and civil society around climate dialogue. The deputy minister highlighted the special role of Nigar Arpadarai, the COP29 High-Level Climate Champion, in organizing the event.

In his speech, the Lead Negotiator touched upon recent climate disasters worldwide, particularly the floods and landslides in Nepal and China that caused loss of life, and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims:

"These tragedies remind us that climate change is no longer a warning for tomorrow, but a reality of today. In an era of geopolitical conflicts and declining trust, climate change remains a challenge that no country can solve alone."

Rafiyev pointed out that the new climate finance goal agreed in Baku—allocating at least $300 billion annually by 2035 and efforts to scale this funding up to $1.3 trillion—must be accessible to developing countries.

He also touched upon the upcoming COP31 conference to be held in Antalya, Turkiye. He stated support for the vision of Murat Kurum, the COP31 President-Designate and Turkiye's Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, to turn the conference into an "Implementation COP."

Emphasizing that Azerbaijan will continue its bridge-building role in climate diplomacy, Rafiyev said initiatives like the "Shamakhi Retreat" held in Sham serve to build trust among parties. He declared that Azerbaijan will remain an active partner alongside Turkiye, Australia, and other partners to achieve balanced and result-oriented outcomes in Antalya.