The 29th Conference of Parties (COP29), a prominent meeting under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is currently underway in Baku, Azerbaijan. This year’s event faces an unusual twist due to the recent U.S. presidential election, which saw former President Donald Trump re-elected. The election outcome has stirred responses among world leaders, creating uncertainties around U.S. engagement in COP29 discussions.

The re-election has raised questions about the U.S.’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, following statements suggesting a potential withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. This stance has led to a reduced presence of Global North leaders at COP29. In contrast, African representation is strong, with over 30 leaders from countries such as Libya, Djibouti, Gambia, Gabon, Congo, Zimbabwe, Togo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Sao Tome Principe, Burundi, Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, Morocco, Egypt, Seychelles gathering in Baku, hopeful about advancing the continent’s climate agenda.

Climate change remains the most significant geopolitical and socio-economic challenge, impacting health, and food security, and, in some cases, leading to conflicts and displacement. A unified global response is critical to counter this crisis and prevent a severe downturn in the global economy as evidenced by the severity of unprecedented eventualities.

A primary focus at COP29 is climate finance, particularly around establishing sufficient and equitable funding mechanisms for developing countries. Discussions include the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which is viewed as essential for addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on developing nations.

Mr. Mohammed Adow, Director of Powershift, voiced concern that developed nations may fall short in their climate finance commitments at COP29. “If wealthy nations sidestep their financial responsibilities in Baku, they will risk exacerbating the climate crisis and obstructing the path to a global energy transition,” he stated.

Adow highlighted a delay in adopting the COP29 agenda due to disagreements between developed and developing countries over the scope of the UAE Dialogue. “Clarification is needed on whether the UAE Dialogue is confined to finance-related outcomes of the Global Stocktake (GST) or includes all GST outcomes. This difference in interpretation has held up the summit’s formal proceedings,” he explained. He noted that including this divergence in a footnote to the agenda may be a pragmatic way to allow discussions to proceed.