World Leaders Deliver Opening Speeches at COP29 Climate Summit in Baku
The COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, officially began with plenary speeches from world leaders and representatives from nearly 200 nations on Tuesday, setting the stage for two weeks of intense climate negotiations.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is among the key speakers, highlighting the urgent need for action against the climate crisis. Discussions will focus on strategies to limit global warming and address the growing threats from climate-related disasters, including floods, cyclones, wildfires, heatwaves, and droughts.
A primary goal of the summit is to secure financial commitments to support poorer nations that are disproportionately impacted by climate change.
Notably, some leaders are absent, including French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose country will host COP30 in 2025. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also canceled his attendance following the recent collapse of his governing coalition.
The outcomes of COP29 are expected to shape global climate policy and financial aid strategies in the coming years.
