By JoAnne Wadsworth, Communications Consultant, G20 Interfaith Forum.
In a groundbreaking initiative ahead of COP29, religious leaders from around the world converged inon November 5-6, 2023, to address the pressing challenge of climate change. This summit represented a unique collaboration between faith communities and environmental advocacy, demonstrating the growing role of religious organizations in global climate action.
– – –
Approximately 300 world religious leaders gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 5-6 in anticipation of the 29th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). His Virtue Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, supreme Muslim leader for the Caucasus region, hosted the event, which received significant support from His Excellency Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Summit co-organizers included the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, the Muslim Council of Elders, the UN Environment Program (UNEP), and the Caucasus Muslims Board.
Under the Summit theme “World Religions for a Green Planet,” nearly 100 attendees presented and discussed four key topics:
- The perspective of religious organizations on the impact of the climate change crisis.
- Raising awareness about and combating climate change.
- Engaging in interfaith and inter-civilization dialogue to fight climate change.
- The harm to the environment which accompanies armed conflict.
Emphasizing the importance of religious organizations in climate change policy development, G20 Interfaith Forum Association President Cole Durham called on religious groups to lead in building a sustainable future and teaching their followers to embrace earth care and advocate for communities most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.
Concluding the Summit, the participants, under the guidance of His Virtue Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh, issued the Baku Declaration. This significant document calls upon states, international, regional, religious, and public organizations, as well as spiritual leaders, to take steps to combat climate change and build a greener future through an inclusive process. The Declaration also emphasizes the importance of protecting all life and nature, furthering the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and supporting religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity. In addition, the participants made a unique proposal, appealing to COP29 leaders to call for a global ceasefire, recognizing the interconnectedness of peace and climate action. They also proposed the establishment of a Permanent Advisory Council of Religious Leaders under the UNFCC COP.
— —
JoAnne Wadsworth is a Communications Consultant for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and Editor of the Viewpoints Blog.