His Grace Anba Ermia Arrives in Azerbaijan to Participate in COP29 and Support Global Efforts in Addressing Climate Change
His Grace Anba Ermia, the General Bishop and Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, and Assistant Secretary-General of the Egyptian Family House, arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday, November 4, 2024, to participate in the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), scheduled to take place from November 11 to 22, 2024.
In statements following his arrival, Anba Ermia emphasized that the devastating impacts of climate change are no longer confined to any one country or region. Extreme weather events such as intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms now pose a real threat to the stability of communities and ecosystems worldwide.
He also referenced World Bank estimates indicating that climate change could force up to 216 million people in six regions around the world to be displaced within their countries by 2050. Sub-Saharan Africa alone may see up to 86 million people displaced due to climate impacts by that year, with 49 million in East Asia and the Pacific, and 40 million in South Asia expected to follow suit.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that human activities are driving profound and dangerous changes in ecosystems, affecting the lives of billions of people globally, particularly those in communities less equipped to adapt.
Anba Ermia pointed out that the current conditions highlight the urgent need for bold and collective action, especially as the ongoing climate changes approach critical thresholds that could lead to catastrophic consequences that are difficult to reverse. He stressed that humanity is not powerless in the face of this threat.
He continued: “We can build a greener future where pain is reduced, justice prevails, and the relationship between humans and the planet is restored to harmony, provided that all parties involved—governments, civil society organizations, private sector institutions, and international bodies—combine efforts.”
The conference is expected to host over 100 heads of state and government, along with prominent figures, thousands of experts, journalists, and climate activists, as well as representatives from corporations and non-governmental organizations.
COP29 will address climate financing challenges and activate the Loss and Damage Fund, which had accumulated more than $700 million in resources by the conclusion of COP28 in Dubai.
