Azerbaijan calls for closer alignment of climate, urban agendas

Aligning the climate and urban development agendas is now critically important, Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Champion and member of Azerbaijan's parliament, said.

According to Report, she made the remarks on the fourth day of Baku Climate Action Week 2026 (BCAW 2026).

Arpadarai said climate action has a much more tangible meaning for people than discussions alone.

"It is about the air they breathe, the safety of their homes, the quality of public spaces, and the mechanisms and opportunities available to protect them from other impacts of climate change. That is why cities are at the center of climate action," she said.

Arpadarai noted that more than half of the world"s population currently lives in cities and that this share continues to grow.

"At the same time, many climate solutions - from cleaner transport and better-quality buildings to green spaces, more efficient waste management and resilient infrastructure - need to be implemented rapidly in cities," she said.

The lawmaker stressed that cities cannot address these challenges alone.

"Partnerships are needed among local authorities, businesses, investors, civil society, researchers and communities. Most importantly, we need to move from commitments to concrete results," Arpadarai added.