The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) starting 11 November and through 22 November 2024. This is the most important international climate event of the year, with 80,000 participants, including world leaders, scholars, and representatives from organizations. The goal is to explore strategies for addressing climate change under the theme “Unity for a Green World.”
COP29 is taking place amid the severe impacts of the ongoing climate crisis. In September powerful storms Yagi, Boris, and Helene hit Southeast Asia, Central Europe, and the Americas, causing nearly 1,000 deaths and billions of dollars in damage. While COP29 begins in Azerbaijan, people in Spain are still struggling to recover from the worst flooding in history. The year 2024 is also predicted to be the "hottest year ever recorded".
Over the next 10 days, COP29 will continue discussions based on outcomes from COP28, focusing on global adaptation measures, loss and damage, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The conference will also work on finalizing rules for carbon trading mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
COP29, notably, is regarded as the “Climate Finance COP,” focusing on reaching consensus regarding the annual funding needed to help developing countries address climate issues. Since 2009, industrialized countries have pledged $100 billion per year to assist poorer nations, but the actual financial need is much larger. The key question is how this commitment will continue after 2025, when the 15-year pledge ends.
As an active and responsible participant in the fight against climate change, Vietnam has sent a delegation to COP29, including representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Industry and Trade, Transport, Agriculture, Planning and Investment, Finance, Science and Technology, Foreign Affairs, as well as climate negotiation experts and local agencies, banks, and businesses.
Taking place after a global consensus on shifting away from fossil fuels, COP29 is expected to adopt more specific policies and commitments to implement the COP28 agreements and strengthen international cooperation in the battle against climate change./.
