MENA Newswire News Desk: The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat, under the leadership of Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has announced its agenda for participation at the upcoming COP29 Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. Scheduled for November, the WTO will collaborate on various trade-focused events aimed at exploring the intersection of trade, investment, and climate action.
The WTO has launched a dedicated COP29 portal, where attendees and the public can access information on events, news, photos, and resources. This year’s conference will feature the WTO Secretariat’s presence at multiple high-level events, including the World Leaders Climate Action Summit from November 12-13, where Director-General Okonjo-Iweala will address global climate challenges. The Secretariat will also unveil several key publications throughout the conference, in collaboration with other international organizations.
A core venue at COP29 will be the Trade and Investment House pavilions, hosted by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan in partnership with the WTO, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Trade Centre (ITC), and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). These pavilions will serve as a platform for engaging discussions on the role of trade and investment in supporting climate goals, featuring exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations of innovative solutions.
On November 14, COP29 will highlight Climate Finance, Investment, and Trade (FIT) Day. This event will focus on the role trade can play in accelerating climate finance flows and supporting developing nations in their transition to sustainable economies. Key discussions will examine how trade policies can bolster global climate objectives and promote sustainable development.
The COP29 agenda includes initiatives from the Azerbaijan Presidency, which will spotlight its work in areas such as sustainable stock exchanges and decarbonization efforts in sectors like steel and hydrogen. High-level events will also explore the integration of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly from developing economies, into low-carbon value chains.