In a compelling address at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, Mukhtar Babayev, President of the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), urged the global community to scale up climate finance and strengthen cooperation across international environmental agreements.
Babayev emphasized the urgency of unlocking at least $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance for developing countries by 2035, a key pillar of the “Baku to Belém Roadmap”—a strategic vision charting the course from COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to COP30 in Belém, Brazil. He stressed that without significantly enhanced financial flows, climate-vulnerable nations will continue to struggle to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies.
A Call for Unified Global Action
Reaffirming his commitment to the “Rio Trio” of UN conventions—Climate Change (UNFCCC), Biodiversity (CBD), and Desertification (UNCCD)—Babayev called for greater synergy among these frameworks to amplify their collective impact. He argued that fragmented approaches weaken outcomes, and a more integrated strategy could lead to more effective environmental governance at both national and global levels.
“We must recognize that climate, biodiversity, and land degradation are interconnected challenges. Aligning our efforts across these conventions is not only strategic—it is essential,” Babayev stated.
Support for COP30 and Inclusive Dialogue
Babayev also voiced strong support for Brazil’s preparations for COP30 in Belém, viewing it as a crucial moment to solidify ambition, particularly from urban centers and indigenous territories of the Global South. He commended the IUCN Congress as a valuable platform that brings together governments, scientists, civil society, youth, and indigenous communities, enabling multi-stakeholder engagement on shared environmental and climate concerns.
About the IUCN World Conservation Congress
Held from October 9–15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, the IUCN World Conservation Congress serves as one of the largest and most influential global gatherings on biodiversity and conservation. Organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the congress convenes policymakers, researchers, private sector leaders, and activists to advance international collaboration on pressing environmental issues, from species protection and ecosystem restoration to climate resilience.
This year’s Congress focused heavily on the integration of nature-based solutions into national climate strategies, as well as on preparing stakeholders for meaningful participation in COP29 and COP30.
Looking Ahead to COP29 and COP30
As the host of COP29, Azerbaijan is expected to lead negotiations on a new climate finance goal, which will replace the unmet $100 billion/year pledge made in 2009. The proposed $1.3 trillion annual target by 2035 is a key discussion point, especially for developing and climate-vulnerable nations seeking fair access to funding for adaptation, loss and damage, and sustainable development.
The momentum generated at the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi is expected to feed directly into COP29 negotiations in Baku later this year, paving the way for stronger alignment between climate finance, conservation, and equitable development—culminating in the global stocktake and action commitments at COP30 in Belém in 2026.
