Bulgarian President Rumen Radev made a national speech at the Climate Summit within the 29th edition of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP29, transmits BTA. The forum takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Our head of state is among over 100 heads of state and government participating in the conference. The summit is a platform for world leaders to state ambitions and national climate ambitions that will translate into real political and economic results.
Ambitions need to be boosted
"The duration of our actions is key to achieving an ambitious and balanced approach to meeting the climate goals in the complex geopolitical context," the head of state said.
According to him, the main expected result of the COP29 is reaching an agreement on a new collective quantifiable goal, the head of state said. The new goal should ensure funding from all possible sources - both public and private - to secure adaptation and mitigation measures with a focus on the most vulnerable countries.
Radev told participants at the Baku Climate Summit that there is a need to significantly increase ambitions to mitigate the effects of climate change and stay on course to decarbonize global energy systems.
"This can only happen if we apply all available technologies, if we significantly improve energy efficiency, further develop the energy infrastructure and energy security remains our priority," said Rumen Radev.
The Bulgarian President expressed his conviction that Bulgaria is determined not only to be part of the initiatives for regional energy cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Black Sea region, but also to strengthen the ties between the European Union and countries outside it that share our priorities for climate neutrality, just energy transition, energy security and low-carbon technological innovation.
"No region of the world is spared from the deadly and costly natural disasters caused by climate change, so all countries must do more to integrate climate change adaptation and sustainable development into all policies and strategies." We call for continued support for climate science and education. Bulgaria proudly hosted a session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) this summer. Science holds the key not only to reducing our carbon footprint, but also to improving human life in the age of climate instability," said Rumen Radev.
In conclusion, he again emphasized Bulgaria's determination to achieve the climate policy goals.
"We are with all countries that want to work to strengthen climate diplomacy and regional cooperation, because only together can we achieve a better and sustainable future for us and future generations," said Radev.
Radev opened an event in the Bulgarian pavilion of SOR29
President Rumen Radev opened a high-level event "The Future of Competitiveness at Net Zero" in the Bulgarian pavilion of SOR29.
The panel dedicated to the competitiveness of economies in conditions of zero carbon emissions gathered in the Bulgarian pavilion the European Commissioner for Innovation, Scientific Research, Culture, Education and Youth in the European Commission Iliana Ivanova and the Deputy Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Diana Jurge-Forsatz, Vice President of the European Investment Bank Ambroise Fayol, Jürgen Rigterink, First Vice President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Julian Popov, former Minister of Environment and Water, Regina de Dominicis, Regional Director of UNICEF for Europe and Central Asia.
Bulgaria has ambitions to participate in global climate diplomacy
"For the second time in a row, Bulgaria is participating in the CIS with its own pavilion, and this is a clear demonstration of our country's ambitions to participate in climate diplomacy and to contribute to the fight against climate change. Climate change is already threatening not only people and livelihoods, not only people and the economy, but also global peace and security. Extreme weather events from floods to wildfires and drought are becoming more frequent and devastating. This critical situation requires integrated action and attention from all of us – from the high political to the expert level. I believe that the way to achieve sustainable solutions is to achieve success through the transfer of experience and knowledge. Cooperation between countries is critical to achieving success in joint efforts and increasing competitiveness in the transition to a climate-neutral economy. I want to thank politicians, scientists, climate experts, business leaders for being together, for speaking a common language, for having shared goals and, I hope, for united actions," said President Radev.
According to the president, competitiveness in a zero-carbon economy is probably the most ambitious topic.
According to him, ten years ago, he would have answered negatively to the question of whether it is possible to have net zero on the one hand and competitiveness on the other.
"Today, I believe it is possible if we have the right "glue" consisting of police will, science, innovation, technology," said the head of state.
According to Radev, it is now necessary for the EU to ensure the irreversibility of this process, also ensuring an industrial policy that will bring visible results.
He also noted the importance of the education system to build a new consumer culture, demand for low-carbon products and a new industry.
"I am glad that we can discuss these issues here today. We should never forget that in order to achieve net zero, we must have a strong European economy, based on energy efficiency and innovation", said the Bulgarian President.
The key place of innovation
In her speech, European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova pointed out that a six-fold acceleration of the decarbonization of economies is necessary in order to achieve the set climate goals.
"The floods in Europe show that we clearly do not have a moment to lose in the fight against climate change. This is the place for science and innovation," she emphasized and added that 35% of the funding of the European program "Horizon Europe" or 93 billion euros for seven years is aimed at climate research.
She gave examples of innovative products created in Europe and highlighted the successes of two Bulgarian teams supported by the European program - the first hydrogen valley in Stara Zagora, providing pure hydrogen for buses and public lighting, and the world's first transport drone created by the Bulgarian company. Dronamix" with the help of European funding.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Horizon programme, and for four decades these investments have given a huge boost to science and investment in response to social needs and global challenges – from automated car systems to hydrogen solutions. Financing has put Europe in a leadership position and Ursula von der Leyen outlined among the priorities of the new European Commission, in order to increase competitiveness, overcoming the gap between finance and technology," added Commissioner Ivanova.
IPCC Vice-President Diana Jurge-Forzac thanked Bulgaria for hosting the 61st session of the organization in the summer. She recalled that according to the conclusions of the sixth report of the IPCC, a 43% reduction in carbon emissions is needed by 2030 if we want to keep global warming below 1,5C.
“Global temperatures will stabilize only if carbon emissions stabilize. Dozens of cities, companies and countries already have plans to achieve net zero, and this is hugely important, and options for change are available that need to be implemented on a larger scale. The choices we make in the next few years will have a global impact for the next hundreds, maybe thousands of years," she said.
One of the most vulnerable groups from climate change are children, Regina de Dominichis recalled at the end of the panel.
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