On 11-13 November 2024, Prime Minister Petr Fiala participated in Baku, Azerbaijan UN climate change conference COP29. He gave a speech at the conference in which he stressed the need to use clean sources such as nuclear energy. He also mentioned the need to set ambitious but realistic targets in order to achieve climate goals. On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister also held a series of bilateral meetings with the leaders of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Congo and other countries, with whom he discussed in particular the development of mutual trade.
In his speech, the Prime Minister stressed that in recent years the global community has set climate targets that it has been unable to meet. "When I look at the history of global goals, I see many failures. In many areas and regions, it is extremely difficult to deliver on the promises made. It is unlikely that we will have more success with even higher targets. We need to agree on a reliable consensus; it must be ambitious but realistic. This is more important than bombastic statements that are then impossible to deliver. It is good that the EU is setting an example. But for real change to happen, others must follow". said Prime Minister Fiala.
Climate change is a serious threat, and its devastating impacts are being seen everywhere in the world. Prime Minister Fiala also recalled that the Czech Republic has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than a third since 1990. "Our energy sector is changing, we are moving away from coal and pushing for renewables and nuclear. I firmly believe that nuclear energy is essential to achieve our climate goals. The Czech Republic has 50 years of experience with nuclear energy. We are ready to help any country that wants to use it in the future." Fiala said.
COP29 will take place in Baku from 11 to 22 November 2024, with themes including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate finance in developing countries, adaptation to climate change, and loss and damage caused by the impacts of climate change.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Czech Prime Minister met with a number of world leaders. An important meeting was with the host of the conference, the President of Azerbaijan. Ilham Aliyev. "I thanked the President for releasing the detained Czech citizen. We also discussed energy, which is a key area of our cooperation. Azerbaijan is an important country for the diversification of our energy supplies." said the Prime Minister.
The meeting with the President of Uzbekistan was also very concrete Shavkat Mirziyoyev. "Since my visit last year, a number of projects have been launched. For example, the delivery of the first Czech-made L-410 aircraft has taken place. Negotiations are also being finalised for the delivery of commuter trains to Tashkent." added Prime Minister Fiala.
Other leaders with whom the Prime Minister met were Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of Pakistan, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka of the Congo, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of Northern Macedonia, President Taye Atske Selassie of Ethiopia, and Željka Cvijanović, a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also met with the President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini, President of Iraq Abdal Latif Rashid, President of Moldova Maia Sandu and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala gave a speech:
Mr President, Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen!
First of all, I would like to thank the President and the people of Azerbaijan for hosting this important conference.
Climate change is for all of us a serious danger. We see its devastating impact Everywhere in the world. Floods in Europe, hurricanes in the Americas, landslides in Asia and drought in Africa. Climate change has the potential to exacerbate some of our greatest challenges, such as health, poverty and hunger.
We are all aware of the risks. But we also know how hard it is to move from words to action. I am proud that my country, the Czech Republic, has made some progress in this area.
Since 1990, our carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by more than a third.
Our energy sector is undergoing fundamental changes: we will end the use of coal. And we are pushing for renewable energy and nuclear power.
As I said in Dubai last year, I am firmly convincedthat nuclear energy is essential to achieving climate goals.
I am hopeful to see that the popularity of nuclear power is growing around the world. We are also seeing the development of new technologies. The Czech Republic has 50 years of experience with nuclear energy. We are ready to help any country that wants to use it in the future. This includes small modular reactors or traditional technologies.
Nuclear power has many advantages. It produces extremely pure energy. It is also very safe thanks to qualified professionals and strict international standards.
Yes, international cooperation, global action and innovative solutions are key elements in the solution of this crisis.
But reducing impacts alone is not enough. We also need to focus on adaptation.
In many ways, we need to reassess our priorities. We need to help each other with changes to the landscape and infrastructure to cope with extreme weather events.
In everything we do, must be our cooperation practical.
When I look at the history of global goals, I see many failures. In many areas and regions, the very difficult to keep the promises made.
We are unlikely to be more successful with even tougher targets.
We need to agree on reliable consensus. He must be ambitious and realistic. This is more important than bombastic statements that cannot be fulfilled.
It is good that the European Union wants to set an example. But for real change to happen, others must follow.
That is why I very much appreciate the commitment of the world's major economic powers. I am glad that they are setting a good example.
Excellence, ladies and gentlemen! The theme of this conference is noble and necessary. We face difficulties, but we must not give up.
My country, the Czech Republic, is ready to do its part in cooperation with the international community.
To build and maintain peace, prevent suffering and increase the chances of a good life for all.
Thank you for your attention.
Petr Fiala, Prime Minister
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