On August 15, 2024, the third hybrid meeting of the COP29 NGO Coalition, initiated by the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, took place.
The meeting featured extensive discussions on enhancing the participation of civil society organizations in COP29 and in local, national, and international development initiatives. Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, head of The Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), which includes 2,300 NGOs from 106 countries specializing in health, environment, and climate change, highlighted the Coalition as a vital platform for ensuring inclusivity. He urged civil society organizations to intensify their activities related to climate change.
American Professor Beth Martin, co-founder of the RINGO Consensus Group—one of the nine Consensus Groups representing over 3,600 NGOs with observer status under the UNFCCC—delivered a presentation on RINGO. She emphasized that RINGO offers various opportunities for NGOs participating in the COP29 NGO Coalition, including organizing webinars on relevant topics.
The event, moderated by Ramil Iskandarli, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, also focused on the development of the COP29 NGO Coalition Action Plan. Various elements of the plan were discussed, and it was agreed that work on the draft Action Plan would continue with input from all participants.
One of the key proposals was the creation of various working groups within the Coalition. Interest in joining the COP29 NGO Coalition continues to grow, with 170 NGOs from 43 countries now involved, including 69 NGOs with observer status under the UNFCCC. Azerbaijani NGOs are well-represented in this Coalition, which was initiated by the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum.
