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COP29: 50 Countries Sign Historic Baku Declaration to Tackle Water Crisis Amid Climate Change COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted, “Water is the critical link between the crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification. Our actions today will shape the future of global water security.”

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BAKU (Azerbaijan): At COP29, nearly 50 countries have signed the Baku Declaration on Water for Climate Action, a landmark agreement aimed at integrating water management into global climate strategies. This initiative comes as climate-related water disasters have surged, with global water stress expected to affect over two-thirds of the population by 2050.

The Baku Declaration commits countries to adopting integrated approaches for managing water resources in the face of climate change, including embedding water-related mitigation and adaptation measures into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). It also emphasizes the importance of scientific collaboration and data sharing to strengthen climate resilience across water basins globally.

According to the World Resources Institute, water demand is set to outstrip supply by 40% by 2030, while climate change is expected to worsen water scarcity, especially in regions already facing drought and flood risks. In light of this, the declaration calls for new, basin-wide climate scenarios to predict the long-term impacts of climate change on water systems.

Backed by key non-state actors such as WWF, Water.org, Stockholm International Water Institute, and the Islamic Development Bank, the declaration sets the stage for international collaboration on water and climate action.Image

The launch of the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action further strengthens this initiative, ensuring that water issues remain central to future COP discussions. High-level representatives from the European Union, Germany, Netherlands, Gambia, Moldova, and others joined the launch, stressing the urgency of global cooperation to manage water amidst rising climate challenges.

COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev highlighted, “Water is the critical link between the crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification. Our actions today will shape the future of global water security.”

UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen added, “Water must be prioritized in the global climate agenda. With the launch of the Baku Dialogue, COP29 ensures that water issues are tackled as part of the broader climate response.”

The declaration marks a critical step forward in addressing the global water crisis exacerbated by climate change, aiming for comprehensive and cooperative solutions to secure water resources for future generations.

-Dr. Shahid Siddiqui; Stay updated via X (formerly Twitter) @shahidsiddiqui 

 

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