Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is attending COP29, the United Nations' 29th climate conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday to spotlight the threats posed by global environmental phenomena to Pakistan.
The premier will address COP29 tomorrow (November 13) and attend several key events on the sidelines of the summit besides holding bilateral meetings with world leaders. He will also host the Climate Finance Roundtable Conference, which will be attended by multiple global leaders.
In his addresses to the various forums at the event, PM Shehbaz will primarily focus on the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly Pakistan, which contribute the least to the emission of harmful and polluting gases yet are severely affected by the adverse impacts of climate change.
Additionally, he will participate in a high-level event "Glaciers 2025: Actions for Glaciers" organised by Tajik President for the protection of glaciers.
Shehbaz will also hold separate meetings with the Prime Ministers of Denmark and the Czech Republic, who are also attending COP-29, according to Radio Pakistan.
In these meetings, discussions will focus on the promotion of bilateral relations. The premier will also shed light on the climate change-related risks faced by Pakistan.
It is important to note that Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries suffering the consequences of climate change every day, As a result, this year's COP discussions are crucial.
Dozens of world leaders also convened in Azerbaijan on Tuesday for COP29 but many big names are skipping the UN climate talks where the impact of Donald Trump's election victory is keenly felt.
More than 75 leaders are expected in Baku over two days but the heads of some of the most powerful and polluting economies are not attending this year's summit.
Just a handful of leaders from the G20 — which accounts for nearly 80% of planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions — are expected in Baku, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
"This government believes that climate security is national security," his Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said on Monday.
Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi, and Emmanuel Macron are among the G20 leaders missing the event, where uncertainty over future US unity on climate action hung over the opening day.
Washington's top climate envoy sought to reassure countries in Baku that Trump's re-election would not end US efforts on global warming, even if it would be "on the back burner".
UN climate chief Simon Stiell also appealed to solidarity, kicking talks off on Monday by urging countries to "show that global cooperation is not down for the count".
But the opening day got off to a rocky start, with feuds over the official agenda delaying by hours the start of formal proceedings in the stadium venue near the Caspian Sea.
Later in the evening, governments approved new UN standards for a global carbon market in a key step toward allowing countries to trade credits to meet their climate targets.
COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev hailed a "breakthrough" after years of complex discussions, but more work is needed before a long-sought UN-backed market can be fully realised.
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