Thursday, 30th October 2025

COP29 in Baku: Western Balkans Leaders Call for Urgent Climate Action Amid Mixed Reactions

Leaders from the Western Balkans gathered at COP29 in Baku, uniting in calls for urgent climate action while questioning the effectiveness of global summits in driving real change

The COP29 Climate Change Summit has convened in Baku, Azerbaijan, where representatives from 200 countries gathered to address pressing climate challenges and bridge gaps between developed and developing nations. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and UN Secretary-General António welcomed delegates to the summit, which runs from 11 to 22 November.

Leaders from the Western Balkans voiced their commitments and concerns. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić highlighted the severity of global warming and climate change, warning of the grave threat to the world’s future. 

North Macedonia’s President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, emphasized the summit’s significance as a crucial step in the global climate fight, while Croatia’s Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, called for bold, unified action, stressing that humanity’s future depends on today’s decisions.

Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor expressed unwavering commitment to responsible climate policy, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Chairman of the Presidency, Denis Bećirović, outlined the country’s ambitious plan to decarbonize its energy sector by 2030, with a long-term vision extending to 2050.

Montenegro’s President, Jakov Milatović, championed the Sustainable Development Fund as a model for financing green policies and urged greater engagement in environmental measures.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, however, struck a more critical tone, questioning the efficacy of such summits. He chose not to deliver his prepared remarks, instead challenging the delegates, saying, “What are we really doing at these summits?” and criticizing the ineffectiveness of lofty intentions without tangible change.

As the summit unfolds, the Western Balkans have made it clear they stand ready for cooperative climate action, balancing calls for immediate impact with a sense of urgency for future generations.

Have a news tip or story to share? Email us at info@connectingregion.com

Photo sourcecop29/Media Hub

The Minister Who Isn’t Human

When an Avatar Joins the Cabinet, Politics and Algorithms Collide In a world still debating AI’s limits, Albania simply acted...

Over 250 Workers Jobless After Kentaur Shuts Down Factory in Vranje

The Danish-owned company Kentaur Balkans has abruptly closed its factory in Vranje, Serbia, leaving around 250 workers without jobs....

Vučić Says Serbia Can Buy Russian Stake in NIS, but Moscow Prefers Third-Party Sale

The offer was made during a recent meeting with Alexander Dyukov, Chairman of the Board at Gazprom Neft, and...

Ferrari and Maserati Enter the Electric Vehicle Market

Ferrari unveiled its first fully electric car, the Elettrica, boasting over 1,000 hp, four in-house-developed electric motors, a 0-100...

Zuckerberg Predicts Mobile Phones Will Disappear by 2030

TThis is inevitable as new technologies like augmented reality (AR) glasses and virtual reality (VR) devices reshape how people...
spot_img

Connecting the Adria Region Decision Makers

The Region is more than a publication - it's where the region's elite converge for insights and opportunities