Zakia Khattabi on her way to COP29

"Now that the consequences of climate change are becoming more and more apparent, as proved by the recent dramatic floods in Spain, it is important that Belgium is at the negotiation table. In these turbulent geopolitical times, our country must work with other EU-member states toward an ambitious and workable outcome at COP29. The empty chair policy is not an option," said the minister.

 

"International climate negotiations are an ongoing process, from one COP to the next. These multilateral processes remain essential in limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The threat of the United States and Argentina withdrawing from the Paris Agreement puts pressure on the process and certainly does not help us move forward. We cannot afford to wait, we need less words and more actions.  The survival of humanity is at stake."

 

Preparatory work for national climate plans - that each member state must submit by early 2025 - and climate finance are the two key issues at this 29th UN climate summit. An ambitious financial target, known as the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), must be agreed upon to enable the global transition, taking into account the specific needs of vulnerable countries.

 

"The floods, rising temperatures, and increasing disasters are a tangible reminder of our urgency to act. Since COP28 in Dubai, we had to count hundreds and thousands of climate victims. I think of the so-called flash floods in Spain, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Kenya, the heat waves in India and the Philippines, the bushfires in the Amazon rainforest, etc. In Baku, as with previous COPs, I will be sitting at the table with the horrific images of these climate disasters around the world. The climate crisis is claiming lives worldwide, and scientists warn it could get worse. It is time for ambitious, immediate, and coordinated action," concluded Zakia Khattabi.