High-Level meeting on Human Development Day convened as part of COP29

On November 18, as part of COP29 and the inaugural Human Development Day, the High-Level Meeting on the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience was convened, Azernews reports.

The event was organized under the Presidency of COP29 in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, the Asian Development Bank, the Green Climate Fund, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The primary objective of the meeting was to underscore the critical importance of investing in human development as a fundamental pillar for ensuring climate resilience.

A key focus of the discussions was the role of education in fostering climate resilience. Participants highlighted the need to develop "climate-friendly" curricula aimed at equipping future generations with the knowledge and skills required to address climate challenges effectively.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Emin Amrullayev, the Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, emphasized that building a sustainable society depends on equipping individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and support systems to adapt to environmental challenges. He noted that the Baku Initiative seeks to empower youth as active participants in sustainable actions to combat climate change.

As part of the meeting, Azerbaijan proposed incorporating the measurement of climate resilience knowledge into the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This initiative was recognized as a reflection of Azerbaijan’s commitment to advancing global climate education standards.

The meeting also addressed increasing climate awareness in schools, training teachers to deliver climate-focused education, and establishing climate-resilient education systems. Additionally, strategic approaches were discussed to equip students with critical skills needed for a green economy.

The session concluded with the adoption of the Baku Human Development Climate Resilience Guiding Principles, which outline an integrated approach to addressing climate impacts and emphasize the pivotal role of education in achieving climate resilience.