World leaders begin plenary speeches at COP29 climate summit

Dozens of world leaders are set to give speeches at the UN’s Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan today, Tuesday, setting the tone for the two-week negotiations.

Among others, UN Secretary General António Guterres is expected to speak.

Representatives from almost 200 states are attending the summit, known as COP29, in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, which got under way on Monday.

They are to discuss how to contain the climate crisis and mitigate its consequences, which include more frequent and severe flooding, cyclones, forest fires, heatwaves and droughts.

The summit also aims to address new financial commitments to poor countries that are particularly affected by climate change.

Some international leaders have decided to miss the conference, including French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, whose country is to take over the COP presidency in 2025.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meanwhile cancelled his trip to Baku due to the collapse of his governing coalition last week.