ICLEI Europe will join forces with the entire ICLEI network and with local and regional leaders from across the globe at COP29 (or: the 29th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties) to demonstrate once again that #MultilevelActionDelivers. COP29 will convene in Baku (Azerbaijan) from 11-22 November 2024.

ICLEI is the official focal point for the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency to the UN climate negotiations. In the lead-up to these international climate negotiations – which have, in the past, resulted in landmark outcomes like the Paris Agreement – the LGMA Constituency has released a position paper with three key asks, specifically:

• To accelerate inclusive, multilevel, gender responsive and cooperative action, through new nationally determined contributions developed in partnership with local and other subnational governments.
• To finance sustainable urbanisation and climate action at all levels.
• To align the climate, nature, pollution and sustainable development agendas

These calls will help to deliver on the core LGMA agenda for COP29.

"If you want to work with cities and regions, the Multilevel Action & Urbanization Pavilion should be your first stop at COP. The Pavilion is the global stage at COP29 for cities, towns, states and regions to showcase how they deliver on ambitious climate action and as effective multilevel partners. COP28 was a watershed year for local and regional government recognition in the COP process, and we aim to build on our COP28 wins. We invite parties, and leaders of and partners to local and other subnational governments, to join us at the Pavilion to hear our successes, understand our challenges, and join forces to push forward a sustainable and resilient urban future," said Gino Van Begin, ICLEI Secretary General.

In addition to ICLEI’s role as LGMA focal point, the ICLEI Europe team will be on the ground at COP29 contributing expertise and advocating for the crucial role of local and regional authorities during side events and sessions. Here is where you will be able to find ICLEI Europe throughout COP29 – please note that the times indicated correspond to the local time in Baku (i.e. UTC+4, which is three hours ahead of local time in Brussels):

At the Multilevel Action and Urbanization Pavilion (more info):

• 12 November, 16:30 - 17: 30: ICLEI Europe is teaming up with ICLEI Japan to reflect on lessons from the G7 Presidency’s engagement with the Urban7, in a session titled “The Urban7 -Saitama City “E-KIZUNA High-Level Talks”: Continuing the critical role and engagement of local governments in the G7”
• 13 November, 10:00 - 11:00: Mayors and other Subnational Leaders of the LGMA Constituency will convene to share their insights on the agenda of COP29 and its World Climate Action Summit to be convened at the Heads of State and Governments level, in a session titled “LGMA Response to COP29 and World Climate Action Summit”

Side Event at the UNFCCC:

• 21 November, 11:30-13:00: “Towards NDC 3.0: Unlocking Multilevel Governance for 1.5C Aligned Climate Action”

As a reminder, the times indicated above are in UTC+4 (for reference, that is three hours ahead of the local time in Brussels).
For more information, be sure to read the official LGMA Constituency’s position at: https://www.cities-and-regions.org/wp-content/uploads/lgma-cop29-position-paper.pdf

Learn more about ICLEI’s activities at COP29 here.