High-Level Briefing Advances COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action

Khorshad Alom

The COP29 Presidency, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), convened a high-level briefing titled “Baku to Belém: COP29 and COP30”, marking a pivotal moment in advancing the global agenda for green digital transformation.

The session highlighted the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action (GDA), first introduced during the inaugural Digitalization Day at COP29 in Baku on 16 November 2024, and charted pathways leading to COP30 in Brazil.

Key speakers included COP29 High-Level Climate Champion Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the WTO and other economic organizations in Geneva; Mr. Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU; Mr. Catalin Marinescu, Head of Strategy and Planning Vision at the ITU; Mr. Elmar Mammadov, Co-leader of the COP29 Action Agenda Team; Ms. Lala Hikmat, team member; and Mr. Pedro Ivo Ferraz da Silva, Coordinator for Scientific and Technological Affairs and Bilateral Relations at Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Discussions underscored the growing role of digital innovation in climate strategies, with the GDA offering a framework to integrate technological solutions into low-emission transition pathways. Speakers highlighted progress in:

• Cross-sectoral collaboration, including synergies with the COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration for resilient and healthy cities.
• Strengthening coordination between the GDA process at ITU and the UNFCCC’s Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).

Since its launch, the Declaration has gained endorsement from nearly 2,000 stakeholders, including 83 national governments, demonstrating broad global momentum. The declaration remains open for additional endorsements.

Participants emphasized the importance of aligning digital transitions with climate goals and ensuring continuity between successive COP Presidencies. Green digital action, officially initiated at COP29 through the first-ever High-Level Roundtable on GDA, was recognized as a critical Presidency-led initiative with long-term potential.

The briefing concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing Member States and stakeholders to share perspectives and reinforce collective commitment. The dialogue reaffirmed the central role of digital transformation in delivering effective, inclusive, and sustainable climate action in the lead-up to COP30 in Brazil.

The COP29 Presidency has invited further endorsements of the Green Digital Action Declaration. Interested parties and stakeholders may confirm their support by sending a Note Verbale or formal letter to digitalisation@cop29.az