The Parliamentary Meeting organised jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Milli Majlis continued on 17 November on the sidelines of the 29th session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

The event sessions covered topics such as ‘Addressing Climate Vulnerability: Advancing Comprehensive and Equitable Climate Action,’ ‘Harnessing Technology and Ensuring Justice in Combating Climate Change,’ ‘Efforts to Protect Health and Food Security in a Changing Climate’ and ‘Navigating Human Mobility and Climate Change: Tackling Climate-Related Migration and Displacement’. 

Speakers at the sessions emphasised the importance of protecting vulnerable groups affected by climate change and supporting fair and inclusive climate policies. Discussions also explored the role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in combating climate change, safeguarding food security and public health, and addressing the consequences of climate-related migration. 

The importance of organising such meetings regularly to implement comprehensive measures to prevent climate change was underscored at the gathering as well.

The discussions held during the sessions in the COP29 format were followed by a closing ceremony of closing the Parliamentary Meeting organised jointly in Baku by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and of adopting the Meeting’s Final Document.

The ceremony was attended by Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the National Assembly of the United Republic of Tanzania and IPU President Tulia Ackson, Secretary General of the IPU Martin Chungong, Speaker of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Majlisi Oli of Tajikistan Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga Lord Fkafanua Fatafehi, Members of the Milli Majlis and Heads and Members of the delegations of other countries.

Member of the Milli Majlis Sultan Mamedov spoke at the ceremony about the work done in Azerbaijan to transition to green energy. He stressed the productive nature of the Parliamentary Meeting and emphasised its importance. 

Next, information was provided about the Final Document of the Parliamentary Meeting with the detailing of the work done on it and the proposals considered. 

IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong said at the closing ceremony that very fruitful discussions had taken place during the two-day Parliamentary Meeting. He expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani side, particularly to Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, for organising the event and hosting it for the first time in the COP29 ‘Green Zone’. 

As the Secretary General pointed out, the Final Document reflects the key role of parliaments in combating climate change. This document will serve as a roadmap for parliaments, and the meeting demonstrates a universal commitment to the obligations undertaken. 

In conclusion, IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong utilised the powers granted to him to declare closed the Parliamentary Meeting jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the framework of COP29 in Baku.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis