The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29), to be hosted by the Republic of Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, will see an exceptional level of participation from the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The Organization will contribute both to the main program of this global event and through its dedicated pavilion in the Blue Zone. The pavilion will host around 50 diverse activities organized by the Organization’s various sectors and departments, addressing the impacts of climate change on education, science, culture, and related fields.

ICESCO’s delegation to COP 29 will be led by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director General, accompanied by sector heads, department directors, and experts.

Speakers from ICESCO, as well as external experts, will participate in sessions organized at ICESCO’s pavilion via videoconferencing. This participation aligns with ICESCO’s strategic priorities and new vision, emphasizing its commitment to supporting global efforts to protect the environment and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

ICESCO’s COP 29 agenda includes a ministerial meeting titled “Heritage and Cultural Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change,” organized in partnership with Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. This meeting will bring together ministers of culture and environment from across the Islamic world, as well as representatives of international organizations focused on heritage preservation, to explore ways to employ modern technologies in minimizing climate change’s impacts on cultural assets and to develop sustainable solutions.

ICESCO will also co-host a panel discussion with the Islamic Organization for Food Security and the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), focusing on advancing water security, biodiversity, and peace through innovation and earth observation. The session, which will feature experts and representatives from various international organizations, aims to address challenges related to water scarcity, and environmental peace, and issue actionable recommendations.

ICESCO’s pavilion in the Blue Zone, a designated area for all parties to the convention, official state delegations led by heads of state, and delegations of accredited observers, a status ICESCO obtained in December 2023, will feature a substantial program. This includes the launch of ICESCO’s “Mediathon” initiative to strengthen media, in collaboration with the OIC Islamic Broadcasting Union.

Additionally, the pavilion will host panel discussions, workshops, seminars, and networking sessions, with contributions from ICESCO experts, prominent international specialists, and global climate action leaders. Key topics of discussion will include food and water security, the development of smart agriculture, natural disaster management, education advancement, human capital capacity-building, youth inclusion, and showcasing ICESCO’s efforts and initiatives in these vital areas.