ICAO and Kazakhstan leaders address global aviation challenges at COP29 in Baku

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

On November 7, 2024, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano held a pivotal meeting with the President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during the COP29 Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Their discussion centered on the critical challenges facing global aviation in the fight against climate change, emphasizing the sector’s role in advancing sustainable development and emissions reduction.

The meeting coincided with President Sciacchitano’s participation in the COP29 World Leaders Climate Action Summit, where he addressed the High-level Roundtable on Energy: Advancing Climate Mitigation Action.

His remarks underscored the urgency of unified approaches to international transport emissions, highlighting aviation’s commitment to achieving net-zero by 2050.

Key discussions extended to high-level dialogues with leaders from global organizations, including:

• Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• Mr. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
• Ms. Noura Hamladji, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC
• Mr. Hiroshi Matano, Head of Delegation for MIGA at The World Bank
• Mr. Ruud de Mooij, Deputy Director of Fiscal Affairs at the International Monetary Fund

These engagements targeted pressing priorities such as the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), and increased investment in clean energy projects for aviation.

As climate change presents unprecedented challenges to the aviation sector, these discussions reinforced the need for collaboration across international bodies.

The ICAO President’s mission at COP29 highlighted aviation’s pivotal role in driving global climate action and securing the future of sustainable transport.

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