GFCBCA Hosts High-Level Ministerial Dialogue On Culture-Based Climate Action At COP29 In Baku

The Group of Friends for Culture-Based Climate Action (GFCBCA) convened a high-level Ministerial Dialogue at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This event marked the second such dialogue, following the first held at COP28 in Dubai. The GFCBCA was introduced by its co-chairs, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi of the UAE and Margareth Menezes of Brazil, during COP28. This coalition includes 40 countries and 25 intergovernmental bodies, advocating for culture's role in climate policies.

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi highlighted the significance of integrating culture into climate strategies. He stated, "This High-Level Meeting is an opportunity to share insights, best practices, and innovative approaches to integrating culture into climate policies and programmes." He emphasised that culture should be protected from environmental threats like rising temperatures and sea levels. The meeting aimed to create a framework for collaboration between the Global North and South.

The dialogue built on last year's achievements, focusing on culture's role in climate adaptation. Ministers discussed implementing the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (2/CMA.5), adopted at COP28. They explored how traditional knowledge can guide strategies to protect cultural heritage from climate risks and enhance adaptation through resilient infrastructure.

The discussions also aimed to incorporate culturally driven policies into National Adaptation Plans (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The coalition stressed supporting vulnerable communities by enhancing research and innovation in cultural expressions. Collaboration at both national and international levels was deemed crucial for collective action against climate change.

A key focus was establishing a framework for culture-based climate action with clear principles, goals, and outcomes. The dialogue underscored the importance of North-South and South-South exchanges to promote equitable solutions. Knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaboration between developed and developing nations were highlighted as essential components.

Additionally, the dialogue addressed data collection and developing methodologies to measure the impact of culture-based initiatives. By fostering diversity in cultural expressions, the coalition aims to bolster support for vulnerable communities while driving innovation in this field.

The GFCBCA seeks to harness culture as a tool for transformative climate solutions. Recognising its potential to shape values and influence behaviour is vital for effective global action against climate change. Through these efforts, the coalition aims to raise ambition and unite global powers towards meaningful transformation in addressing climate challenges.

With inputs from WAM