Intersection of climate change and migration explored within the UN’s 29 Climate Conversations initiative

Organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan, the event brought together experts, government officials, and international organizations to explore the intricate links between climate change and human mobility.

Opening remarks were delivered by Vusal Huseynov, Chief of the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Vladanka Andreeva, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, who emphasized the importance of addressing climate change’s growing impact on migration as Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29.

The event featured a keynote addressed by Elshad Iskandarov, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, highlighting the pivotal role of Azerbaijan in advancing global discussions on climate change and its relevance on addressing human mobility in the context of climate change.

Experts such as Adrian Kitimbo, Researcher at IOM's Migration Research and Publications Division, and Soumyadeep Banerjee, Regional Climate Action Specialist in IOM’s Climate Action Division, provided insights into global migration trends and human mobility-related challenges and opportunities in the context of climate change. These discussions underscored the need for integrating migration as a form of climate adaptation into national and international policy frameworks.

A panel discussion, moderated by Troy Dooley, Chief of Mission of IOM Azerbaijan, included representatives from the State Migration Service, FAO, IOM, and the Resident Coordinator’s Office offering diverse perspectives on how migration can be managed as a proactive response to climate impacts.

The "29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29" series is an initiative led by the United Nations in Azerbaijan to promote a wide-ranging dialogue on climate action in Azerbaijan as the country prepares to host the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November. These events aim to foster innovation, collaboration, and shared responsibility across various sectors in combating the global climate crisis.