Baku, Azerbaijan – President Ram Chandra Paudel arrived in Baku on Monday to participate in the 29th Conference of Parties (COP-29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The president was warmly welcomed at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Justice, Farid Ahmadov.

Speaking during their brief interaction, President Paudel stressed that climate change is currently the most pressing issue facing the global community. “This conference must urge developed countries to not only commit to reducing carbon emissions but also to fulfill their pledges by investing in climate funds. It is crucial to support developing nations that, despite their minimal contribution to carbon emissions, are disproportionately affected,” stated President Paudel, as conveyed by his Press Advisor Kiran Pokhrel.

Minister Ahmadov echoed the president’s sentiments, emphasizing that addressing the concerns of developing countries is a focal point of the conference. He noted, “Azerbaijan, though lacking mountains like those in Nepal, has faced water scarcity due to melting glaciers.”

President Paudel is leading a high-level Nepali delegation that includes First Lady Sabita Paudel, Minister of Forests and Environment Aain Bahadur Shahi, and senior government officials. The team arrived in Azerbaijan via Doha, Qatar.

The president is scheduled to address the ‘World Leaders Climate Action Summit’ during the high-level segment of COP-29. Additionally, Nepal will host a separate high-level session on November 13, under President Paudel’s leadership, to highlight its specific climate agenda.

COP-29, which commenced on November 10, will run until November 22. President Paudel had departed from Kathmandu on November 9 and is set to return to Nepal on November 13 after concluding his engagements at the conference.