The COP29 Presidency placed human development at the forefront of climate resilience by hosting the first-ever Human Development Day. This initiative highlights the interconnectedness of health, education, skills, and resilience in combating climate change. It aims to build healthier, better-educated, skilled communities capable of adapting to and mitigating climate change’s effects.
Baku Initiative Endorsed to Strengthen Global Cooperation
During the High-Level Meeting, representatives from international organisations, development banks, and climate funds endorsed the Baku Initiative for resilience. This endorsement reinforced the commitment to advancing cooperation at the intersection of human development and climate action.
The statement was released during the High-Level Meeting on the Baku Initiative for Human Development and Climate Resilience, hosted by COP29. The Baku Initiative aims to bridge efforts across different sectors and enhance global cooperation to tackle climate change’s impact on human development. By aligning climate finance with human development goals, it seeks to foster more integrated strategies for resilience.
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Roundtables Focus on Key Areas for Development and Climate Action
Following the High-Level Meeting, participants held specialized roundtable discussions to explore areas critical for climate resilience and human development. One set of discussions explored education to build climate skills and health, addressing climate-related challenges and ensuring adaptive responses.
Additionally, the other roundtables focused on green jobs, fostering sustainable employment, and empowering children and youth in climate resilience efforts. These discussions aim to generate actionable strategies supporting human development and climate goals.
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Baku Guiding Principles Adopted for Climate Resilience
A key outcome of Human Development Day was the adoption of the Baku Guiding Principles for Human Development for Climate Resilience. All participants in the High-Level Meeting endorsed these principles, which outline the framework for integrating human development into climate resilience strategies.
The guiding principles will lay the foundation for future action, ensuring that global climate resilience efforts embed human development at their core.