Taking place against a backdrop of geopolitical conflicts, energy security concerns and global instability, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan stand as a pivotal milestone in the fight against climate change.  

Climate change is the defining issue of our times. It knows no borders, it spans all politics. It affects the balance of ecosystems that support life and biodiversity, impacts health and causes more extreme weather events that displace people and threaten livelihoods.

Climate change poses significant challenges to Europe and Central Asia, with the region facing extreme weather events like floods, droughts, wildfires, water shortages, and changes in river runoff and precipitation. These challenges are prompting countries to seek sustainable solutions, such as green transition and decarbonization, to meet both national and global climate goals.

UNDP is working throughout the region to support governments to enhance and implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and mobilize finances for sustainable solutions. UNDP is also helping people and communities develop adaptation strategies to build climate resilience.

Ultimately, a truly climate-resilient society is a low-carbon one, based in equity and climate justice that prioritizes support for people and communities most exposed to climate impacts or least able to cope with them.