Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa will on 11 November 2024 meet with Zimbabweans residing in the Republic of Azerbaijan and nearby states to discuss a range of issues, including opportunities for investment, bilateral relations, and Zimbabwe’s role in combating climate change.
The meeting is part of the President’s engagements at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), taking place at the Baku Olympic Stadium, the main venue for the conference.
The President's agenda at COP29 reflects Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to amplify the voices of developing nations on the global climate stage.
As the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), President Mnangagwa is expected to advocate for enhanced respect and funding of climate change mitigation initiatives for developing countries.
On 10 November 2024, President Mnangagwa met with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev ahead of the start of COP29.
The high-level meeting, held at the Baku Olympic Stadium, focused on strengthening Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement strategies while also addressing pressing global climate issues.
President Mnangagwa emphasised the importance of developing nations being heard and respected in international climate negotiations.
“In the first place, I have met my counterpart, the President, and we shared our views. As a matter of fact, we share our independence as sovereign States. We are very independent in terms of that, and we think it is critically important that we state our positions as developing countries and be respected in the positions that we take because they reflect our own conditions in terms of our political situations as well as our economic development. And this is important that we be respected on these bases,” President Mnangagwa told the media after the meeting.
President Mnangagwa’s remarks align with the primary agenda of the summit, which aims to boost respect and support for developing countries through increased climate adaptation funding.
A recent report titled “Adaptation Gap Report 2024: Come Hell and High Water” emphasises the need for developed countries to significantly ramp up climate finance. The report calls for a doubling of adaptation finance to at least US$40 billion annually by 2025.
President Mnangagwa’s packed agenda at the conference underscores Zimbabwe’s active role in addressing global climate change while engaging with international investors and key industrialists.
He is accompanied by several Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials.
Business leaders, scientists, and civic society representatives from Zimbabwe are also attending the conference.
Among them is Geo Pomona executive chairperson Dr. Dilesh Nguwaya, who highlighted the importance of Zimbabwe’s participation in COP29.
“The company is committed to sustainable development and will gain from deliberations at COP29. We are here to attend informative sessions, learn from global experts, and share our experiences in waste-to-energy strategies. As a regional pioneer, we are eager to share our knowledge and explore opportunities to expand such projects not only within Zimbabwe but across the African continent,” said Nguwaya.
As President Mnangagwa continues his engagements, Zimbabwe’s voice will remain prominent in advocating for fair climate finance, adaptation measures, and partnerships that reflect the needs of developing nations.
