COP29 Simulation @ BAKU
Twenty-two students with outstanding performance during the COP Simulation were selected to travel and attend the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 13-19 November 2024. Nine sessions were organised at the Blue Zone, in the pavilions of the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme, the League of Arab States, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO). Additionally, two sessions were held at ADA University in Baku.
Our sessions in the Blue Zone were attended by many high-level officials, including Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation; Dr. Hossam Osman, Deputy Minister of Higher Education for Scientific Research and Innovation (on behalf of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research); Prof. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Sustainable Agenda and Honorary Chair of the COP Simulation; Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti, UNDP Egypt Resident Representative; Dr. Fariz Ismailzade, Vice Rector for External, Government and Student Affairs, ADA University; Ambassador Hisham Badr, Assistant Minister for Strategic Partnerships, Excellence and Initiatives and Head of the Organising Committee for the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects; Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Global Economist and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University; and deputy ministers from the Ministries of Education and Youth in Azerbaijan. The COP29 Simulation delegation was one of the largest, if not the largest, multi-national youth delegations at COP29.
Day 1 of our sessions at COP29 was dedicated to exploring key topics for a climate-resilient future. On 14th November, in the WHO Pavilion (Blue Zone), we discussed “Investing in Human Capital, Health, and Jobs for a Climate-Resilient Future.” Later, in the UNCT Pavilion (Blue Zone), we explored “Green Energy and Renewable Energy Solutions.”
Day 2 of the COP29 Simulation in Baku, on 15th November, focused on key sustainability topics. We explored “Advancing Sustainable Energy Solutions” with insights from Egypt's National Initiative for Smart Green Projects at the League of Arab States, Blue Zone. Later at ADA University, we discussed “Advancing the Circular Economy through Innovation,” where youth entrepreneurs shared their smart green project insights.
Day 3 of COP29 in Baku at the League of Arab States in the Blue Zone focused on the role of higher education in empowering Arab youth. We discussed "Climate Action Change Agents: The COP29 Simulation Journey." The second session addressed "Advancing the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda: Building a Climate-Resilient Global Financial System and Bridging the Climate Finance Gap." Finally, we wrapped up the day at ADA University with "The COP29 Simulation Closing Session and Presentation of Declaration."
Day 4 concluded the final day of our sessions at COP29, where we discussed “Climate Security, Geopolitics and Migration” at the ICESCO Pavilion.
