Bangkok Event Highlights COP29 MAP Declaration on Urban Climate Action

Khorshad Alom

A high-level side event held during the 81st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) spotlighted the COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration as a driving force for resilient and sustainable urban development.

The session, moderated by Dr. Sangmin Nam, Director of UNESCAP’s Environment and Development Division, convened government leaders, urban planners, city mayors, international organizations, and civil society representatives to strengthen momentum behind the MAP initiative. Launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the MAP Declaration has already secured endorsements from more than 200 stakeholders, including 54 governments and over 100 cities worldwide.

Designed as a multisectoral framework, the initiative links climate resilience with urban health, early warning systems, afforestation, sustainable agriculture, and green jobs. It emphasizes science-based policymaking, access to sustainable financing, and inclusive governance to accelerate the transition to climate-smart cities.

Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Ambassador Elchin Bashirov, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNESCAP; H.E. Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP; and H.E. Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. All three leaders underlined the urgency of multilateral cooperation to achieve sustainable, climate-resilient urban futures.

Mr. Elmar Mammadov, Co-leader of the COP29 Action Agenda Team, presented innovative aspects of the MAP Declaration, including the Baku Continuity Coalition for Urban, Multisectoral and Multilevel Climate Action. The coalition unites COP presidencies from Azerbaijan (COP29), the UAE (COP28), Egypt (COP27), and Brazil (COP30), in partnership with UN-Habitat, to ensure consistent and sustained urban climate action across successive summits. He also highlighted the launch of the Forum of Climate Smart Cities under the UN Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), a major step for regional innovation and collaboration.

In addition, Ms. Gulshan Rzayeva, Deputy Chief of Staff of Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture, presented the Roadmap to the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13), to be hosted in Baku in 2026. She underscored that the MAP Declaration will serve as a cornerstone of the forum’s agenda.

The session closed with broad support from participants, who reaffirmed their commitment to advancing urban transformation through the MAP framework. The event marked a significant milestone in the lead-up to WUF13, reinforcing global determination to build inclusive, resilient, and climate-smart cities.

The COP29 MAP Declaration remains open for endorsements. Interested parties and stakeholders can submit formal support to the COP29 Presidency via email at MAP@cop29.az