Azerbaijan has called for the voices of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to play a greater role in shaping global climate policy, saying countries least responsible for emissions are bearing some of the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
Addressing Pacific leaders at the Pacific Pre-COP31 plenary in Denarau, President Ilham Aliyev said climate change was an existential threat for some island states and required stronger international cooperation.
“No region on the earth is spared from the consequences of climate change, but for some of them like Tuvalu it presents an existential threat,” Aliyev said.
He said SIDS were among the most exposed to climate change despite their negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Climate change disproportionately affects their economies and infrastructure, destroys livelihoods and ecosystems,” he said.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan had consistently advocated for countries most affected by climate change to have a stronger role in global decision-making.
“Azerbaijan has consistently advocated for ensuring that the voices of those bearing the brunt of the crisis are not only heard but also actively shape global climate policy,” he said.
He said supporting SIDS was both a shared responsibility and a moral imperative to ensure no country was left behind.
Aliyev pointed to Azerbaijan’s engagement with SIDS during its COP29 presidency, including hosting the leaders of the Bahamas, Tonga and Tuvalu ahead of COP29 and convening a SIDS climate summit in Baku in 2024.
He said Azerbaijan had also provided bilateral assistance to disaster-prone countries, including support for responses to hurricanes, earthquakes and floods, as well as water supply, food security and cultural heritage projects.
More than 10 SIDS have benefited from Azerbaijan’s educational grant programme, allowing citizens from those countries to study at Azerbaijani universities, he said.
Aliyev also highlighted a 2024 joint declaration between Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth of Nations under which Azerbaijan is providing US$10 million over five years for climate action projects in Commonwealth countries.
The initiative also includes the potential use of satellite data from Azerbaijan’s space agency for environmental monitoring and assessment.
“Azerbaijan and SIDS are separated by thousands of kilometres but are united by a common determination to build climate resilience,” Aliyev said.
“We have always stood and will continue to stand in solidarity with SIDS and support them in their efforts in achieving sustainable development and tackling climate change.”
Aliyev said the Pacific Pre-COP31 meeting should strengthen the collective voice of SIDS ahead of COP31 in Türkiye.
“I hope that this gathering will serve to amplify our collective voice and will be a pivotal step in the lead-up to COP31 in Antalya,” he said.
He also expressed Azerbaijan’s support for the incoming COP31 leadership of Türkiye and Australia and the partnership between the two countries in preparing for the climate negotiations.
