In a significant announcement, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan declared that supporting small island nations is a moral duty of his country, acknowledging the severe impacts of climate change on these vulnerable regions. During a meeting with high-ranking officials from Tuvalu, Tonga, and the Bahamas, President Aliyev emphasized the existential threat climate change poses to small island states.
The Azerbaijani leader promised to prioritize the issues of small island nations at the upcoming COP29, where Azerbaijan will hold the presidency. He revealed plans to host a meeting of high-level representatives from various small island states during the conference to focus on their specific challenges and needs.
Additionally, President Aliyev disclosed ongoing discussions with partners about practical and financial contributions to bolster support for these regions. This initiative marks a crucial step in global efforts to address climate change and highlights Azerbaijan’s role in fostering international collaboration to aid the most affected areas.