Event on “Climate Change and Forced Displacement” held in Baku ahead of COP29

The event brought together representatives from academia, government authorities, international organizations, and the legal practitioners community.

The main objective of the event was to highlight the connection between climate change and forced displacement and to discuss how the global climate crisis disproportionately impacts people who are forced to leave their countries due to climate change, as well as stateless people. Participants engaged in discussions about the challenges and solutions regarding climate-induced displacement, ahead of the upcoming COP29 conference.

Opening remarks were delivered by the Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office Ms. Kanako Mabuchi, UNHCR Protection Officer Mr. Ivan Charnetski, Acting Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation Mr. Gadir Khalilov, and Dean of the Law Faculty at BSU Mr. Zaur Aliyev.

The following presentations were delivered: “The Principle of Climate Justice” by Dr. Turgay Huseynov from Law Faculty of BSU, “Climate Change and Migration Issues: Challenges and Fair Solutions” by Mr. Fuad Humbatov from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, “Sustainable Solutions for Forced Displacement” by Ms. Gular Fatali from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and “Impact of Climate Change on Forcibly Displaced and Stateless People” by Ms. Aydan Seyidova from UNHCR Azerbaijan.

Representatives of refugee youth club, initiative supported by UNHCR, presented adaptation tools identified by the displaced people themselves in response to climate change.

The event concluded with the award ceremony of the winners of the essay competition on “Climate Change and Forced Displacement.” The competition, jointly organized by BSU and UNHCR, encouraged students to submit essays exploring the challenges and potential solutions related to the topic of climate change and forced displacement. Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and UN Resident Coordinator’s Office were part of the jury together with BSU and UNHCR, the jury members assessed more the 40 works submitted by the contestants. 

This event was part of a broader series of initiatives leading up to COP29, which will be held in Baku from 11th to 22nd November 2024, and highlighted the importance of discussions on inclusive and sustainable solutions for the forcibly displaced people most affected by climate change.