New COP-29 Advisory Committee to Guide Global Climate Efforts

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Presidency of the 29th Global Climate Change Conference (COP29) has announced the formation of a diverse and multi-stakeholder international advisory committee for inclusive climate action, guided by the motto “In Solidarity with a Green World.”

Amid the growing impacts of global warming and climate change, the COP29 Presidency has established a 21-member International Advisory Committee (COP-29 IAC). This committee is designed to ensure that all relevant voices and perspectives are incorporated into global discussions, leading to inclusive and effective climate solutions.

The COP-29 IAC will include notable dignitaries who will provide critical insights on various aspects of climate action.

The committee’s purpose is to represent diverse voices from finance, academia, government, entrepreneurship, and civil society, offering multi-stakeholder guidance and expert advice to the COP-29 Presidency on key climate issues.

The committee aims

• Facilitate international collaboration and partnerships to promote COP-29 initiatives.
• Ensure decisions are informed by the latest scientific research, best practices, and innovative solutions.
• Assist in mobilizing resources for COP programs and projects.
• Promote transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement in COP-related processes.

The COP-29 IAC will provide strategic guidance, sector-specific expertise, and feedback on COP strategies, policies, and programs. 

It will act as a consultative body, recommending approaches to global challenges, engaging with various stakeholders, and proposing practical solutions to support COP-29 outcomes. The committee will meet monthly through both in-person and online sessions.

Members of the COP-29 IAC

• WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
• Ismail Serageldin, Co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and former World Bank President (Egypt)
• Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Former President of Latvia (1999-2007)
• Jean Baderschneider, Chair of the Board, The Global Fund to End Modern Slavery, and former Vice-President of ExxonMobil (2000-2013)
• Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador
• Engin Altan Duzyatan, Environmental Advocate and Turkish actor
• Izabella Teixeira, Former Minister of Environment, Brazil, and member of the COP-28 Advisory
• Joyce Banda, Former President of Malawi
• Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, Former Mexican Foreign Secretary and Executive Secretary of UNFCCC
• Csaba Korosi, Hungarian diplomat and president of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly
• Xu Huaqing, Director of China’s National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation
• Rosen Plevneliev, Former President of Bulgaria
• Emil Constantinescu, Former President of Romania
• Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Former Executive Director of UN-Habitat
• Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Pakistan
• Dr Suleri is the only South Asian expert on this high-level forum, which includes former heads of state, ministers, artists, innovators, and globally recognized experts.