High-Level Event on Urban Climate Action and the COP29 MAP Declaration

Bangkok, 22 April 2025 — Within the framework of 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), which was guided by the theme of “Regional Cooperation for Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific”, a pivotal side event was held to spotlight global and regional efforts advancing urban climate action through the COP29 Declaration on Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) to Resilient and Healthy Cities.   The session moderated by Dr Sangmin Nam, Director of the Environment and Development Division at UNESCAP, brought together government officials, urban planners, international organisations, mayors and civil society to celebrate the momentum around the MAP initiative—a multisectoral framework launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The MAP Declaration has been endorsed by over 200 stakeholders, including 54 national governments and more than 100 cities and promotes an integrated and inclusive approach to building climate-resilient, inclusive cities.   The initiative stands out for its integration of issues such as urban health, early warning systems, afforestation, sustainable urban agriculture, green skills, and green jobs. These priorities will be advanced through stronger links between science and policy, increased access to sustainable financing, and inclusive, participatory governance.   Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Ambassador Elchin Bashirov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Azerbaijan to UNESCAP, H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP and H.E. Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. They highlighted the urgent need for enhanced multilateral collaboration to achieve sustainable urban futures.   Mr. Elmar Mammadov, Co-leader of COP29 Action Agenda Team, highlighted key innovative elements of the MAP Declaration, including the importance of the Baku Continuity Coalition for Urban, Multisectoral and Multilevel Climate Action —a coalition of COP presidencies from Azerbaijan (COP29), UAE (COP28), Egypt (COP27), and Brazil (future COP30), along with UN-Habitat. This Coalition ensures that urban climate actions are coordinated, consistent, and sustained across successive COPs. In addition, the launch of the Forum of Climate Smart Cities under the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) was spotlighted as a significant regional milestone, fostering innovation and cooperation among cities in Central Asia.   Ms. Gulshan Rzayeva, Deputy Chief of Staff of Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, presented the Roadmap to the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13), to be held in Baku in 2026, emphasizing how MAP will serve as a cornerstone of the upcoming forum’s agenda.   The event emphasized the coordinated approach to urban transformation—rooted in the MAP initiative and reinforced the region’s commitment to building climate-smart cities and marked an important milestone on the road to WUF13.   The session concluded with open-floor contributions, reinforcing broad international support for sustained collaboration and leadership in urban climate action.   The MAP Declaration is open for endorsements. Parties and non-party stakeholders may express support by sending a Note Verbale or formal letter via email to the COP29 Presidency, MAP@cop29.az, confirming their endorsement.

Presidency Youth Climate Champion Summary Report Released

The Presidency Youth Climate Champion Summary Report for 2024 has been released, detailing the important work accomplished by COP29 Youth Climate Champion Leyla Hasanova and the PYCC team.    The report is written by youth, for youth, and shows the priorities, achievements, and vision driving youth in global climate action. It highlights the key achievements delivered by the PYCC team last year, including:   Supporting youth and children’s participation in climate action, including within the UNFCCC process Advancing the meaningful engagement of youth and children in NDC 3.0 Bridging the climate finance gap for youth-led and child-sensitive action Strengthening youth perspectives in peace, climate security and intergenerational equity Promoting climate education as a key catalyst for youth and children’s leadership   In driving this work, the COP29 PYCC team built on the foundations laid by the COP28 YCC, and in turn look forward to working with the COP30 YCC to help ensure that this year's climate process delivers for youth.   Read the full report here.

Briefing on COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action

COP29 Presidency and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) convened a high-level briefing titled “Baku to Belem: COP29 and COP30”, marking a crucial milestone in the global push for sustainable digital transformation.   This timely session focused on the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action (GDA), presented during first-ever Digitalization Day in the history of UNFCCC COPs at the COP29 on 16 November 2024, and explored the path forward to COP30 in Brazil. Key speakers included COP29 High-Level Climate Champion Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the WTO and other economic organisations based in Geneva H.E. Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Head, Strategy and Planning Vision of the ITU Mr. Catalin Marinescu, co-leader of the COP29 Action Agenda Team Mr. Elmar Mammadov, team member Ms. Lala Hikmat, and the Coordinator for Scientific and Technological Affairs and Bilateral Relations, Department of Climate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mr. Pedro Ivo Ferraz da Silva.   Discussions centered on progress made through COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action in embedding digital solutions into climate strategies, addressing both digital and low-emission transition pathways, highlighting cross-sectoral collaboration, including through building of synergy with the COP29 Declaration on Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) to resilient and healthy cities, technological innovation, and digital inclusion, and aligning GDA process at the ITU and Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) activity at the UNFCCC. Till today, the Declaration on GDA has been endorsed by almost 2000 stakeholders, including 83 national governments. The Declaration is still open for endorsement.   The event underscored the importance of aligning digital transitions with climate goals and emphasized importance of continuity and complementarity between COP Presidencies on green digital action officially started as a COP Presidency initiative at the first ever High Level Roundtable on GDA at the COP29.   With strong participation from Member States, the session concluded with an interactive Q&A, promoting open dialogue and reinforcing global momentum for the green digital transformation ahead of COP30.   The COP29 Green Digital Action Declaration remains open for endorsement. Parties and non-Party stakeholders may express support by sending a Note Verbale or formal letter via email to the COP29 Presidency, digitalisation@cop29.az, confirming their endorsement.