Yalchin Rafiyev: Climate change tests not only resilience but also diplomacy

Climate change challenges not only resilience but also diplomacy, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev said in his opening speech at Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW) 2026.

According to Report, Rafiyev stressed that in an era of geopolitical confrontations, fragmentation, and declining trust, climate change remains a challenge no country can solve alone:

"The experience we gained during COP29 showed that even when positions seem contradictory, diplomacy can deliver results."

He noted that the current event is taking place against a grave backdrop: "The devastating floods and landslides in Nepal and China have caused tragic loss of life and immense human suffering. These disasters remind us that climate change is no longer a warning for tomorrow but a reality for millions today."

Rafiyev added that Climate Week will be invaluable on the road to COP31.