Statement at the preparatory meeting of the Group of Friends of Water

Delivered by Ms. Gamar Safarova, Third Secretary

11 December 2025

Mr. Chair,

At the outset, I would like to thank Tajikistan and Switzerland for convening this meeting.

Water is indispensable and essential to human health, economic development, peace and security. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs are highly dependent on improved water management.

At the same time, water is among the sectors most directly affected by climate change. In recognition of water’s central role in climate resilience, COP29 Azerbaijan Presidency launched the COP29 Declaration on Water for Climate Action – the first-ever water-focused political declaration adopted on the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference. This Declaration launched the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action which serves as a unique COP-to-COP collaboration platform fostering continuity on water-related climate action.

Building on this momentum, the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action has advanced considerably since its launch. Following the Conference, we convened the platform’s interim meeting in Bonn during the 62nd session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies . This meeting served as a key opportunity to consolidate priorities and prepare for the first full meeting of the platform at COP30. 

At COP30 in Belém, with collaboration of Brazil we successfully organized the first High-Level Meeting of the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action. This meeting represented a transition from political endorsement at COP29 to structured delivery and implementation at COP30.

Azerbaijan is now preparing for the second meeting of the platform, which we intend to hold at COP31 in Antalya, in continued partnership with the incoming Presidencies.

Looking ahead, the Baku Dialogue will also contribute meaningfully to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. The platform has the potential to contribute to the work across multiple thematic areas such as water for planet, water for cooperation, water in multilateral processes.

As we look to both global and local solutions, it is equally important to recognize the critical role of water in shaping sustainable urban development. Water serves as an urban catalyst and is essential for the overall resilience of cities. In this regard, the upcoming 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be hosted by Azerbaijan in May 2026, will provide an important global platform to advance dialogue on urban water resilience, integrated urban planning, climate-responsive infrastructure, and inclusive, sustainable cities.

In conclusion, Azerbaijan reaffirms its readiness to work with all partners to accelerate action that will make a lasting impact on water issues and climate resilience worldwide.

Thank you.