Daily Update COP29 - Wednesday 20 November

What you need to know

• Transformational NDCs: A Must for Every Country: Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emphasizes that transformational Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are essential opportunities for all countries to drive climate action. Speaking at COP29, he urged nations to seize the moment to enhance ambition and implement bold strategies to meet global climate goals. Remarks by Simon Stiell.
• Major Commitments on Methane Reduction: 30 countries, accounting for nearly 50% of global methane emissions from organic waste, have endorsed the COP29 declaration on reducing methane in this sector. The Harmoniya initiative, launched with FAO, introduces a platform to align support and funding for farmers. Additionally, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Agriculture announced new cooperation with UNEP’s Climate and Clean Air Coalition to develop a methane reduction roadmap for the country’s agricultural sector. Read the news
• Enhancing Water Resources Knowledge for Climate Action - On Water Day (Tuesday) at COP29, WMO hosted a series of events to highlight that water action and climate action go hand in hand, and to leverage the power of visualization and art to communicate the message. Read the update
• WMO Joins Global Initiative for Information Integrity to fight climate disinformation - WMO announced its participation in the newly launched Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change, unveiled yesterday by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This landmark initiative, co-led by the United Nations and UNESCO, aims to strengthen global efforts to address misinformation and disinformation, particularly in critical areas like climate change. Read the news

Many of the impacts of climate change are due to water – lack of or too much. Water is a key part of our conversation.

WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett

Picture of the day

What if water could talk? - artistic performance in the WMO Pavilion

WMO

Today

• Climate information supports healthier cities – At a ministerial event at COP29 on Nature, Health and Agriculture in Cities, WMO reiterated its commitment to ensuring that climate and weather data are accessible, reliable, and actionable for decision-makers at all levels and for all purposes. Read the news 
• Glacier retreat and water resources – The Cryosphere Pavilion event by IAEA/WMO “From Ice to Water: The Downstream Effects of Glacier Retreat” explored the role of international collaboration for better understanding the consequences of melting cryosphere, with particular focus on the role of education and training. Also discussed was how the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation in 2025 and the Dushanbe Conference can influence the actions ahead of the next COP30 in Brazil.
• Nearly 30 delegates from NMHSs, mostly directors and PRs of these Services, attended the second informal consultation meeting with the WMO delegation. The participants were updated on the conclusions of the SBSTA document on Research and Systematic Observation and noticed that the conclusions do not suggest any further decision to be adopted by COP29. They were updated on the negotiations in week 2 of COP29 and noted that NMHSs should also address other topics such as the NAPs, NDCs and GST in future climate change conferences. NMHSs emphasized the role of SOFF in developing the observation network, enhancing the understanding and role of NMHSs in access to climate funds, and further increasing financial support for the implementation of the EW4All Initiative. The following countries attended the meeting, among others: Comoros, Ghana,  Kiribati, Malawi, Mozambique, Morocco, Madagascar, Namibia, Niue, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Vanuatu. The chairman of the WMO Climate Policy Advisors, Mr Carlos Fuller, and senior representatives from Cambodia, Brazil, Luxemburg, Ireland and Germany also attended

Tomorrow

• WMO Pavilion - 9:00-16:30: Gender, Youth and Indigenous Knowledge: At the Forefront of Climate Actions - This joint event, hosted by WMO, IPCC, and the Meri Foundation, aims to create an inclusive space where young people, women and indigenous communities can engage directly with leaders in climate governance. Climate challenges are as diverse as our communities, and no one should be left behind. The event aims to explore the intersections of power, emotions, and storytelling in climate action, breaking down the traditional boundaries between "climate science" and "traditional knowledge." More...
• Presidency event UNEP, UNECE & WMO - 9:00-10:30: Water for Climate Action: Integrating Water Solutions into NDCs and NAPs – The Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action will be launched by the COP 29 Presidency, in collaboration with government representatives, UN entities and other key stakeholders. The focus is on reducing climate-induced water scarcity, enhancing resilience to water-related hazards, halting and reversing water-related ecosystem degradation, and fostering basin-wide cooperation. More…
• Presidency event UNEP, UNECE & WMO - 11:00-13:30: Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action – High-Level COP29 Presidency event to launch the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action. During the event, countries and partners will endorse the Water Declaration. More…
• The UN Secretary-General will hold a press conference on 21 November at 2:30pm local time. Watch livestream
   

Youth at COP29

Today's activities centered around supporting the water events in the WMO pavilion, and meeting with more youth delegates on the ground, including from FAO. With a designated Youth and Gender office with more than 50 staff and a Global Youth Action Plan, FAO's insights will be key to helping shape WMO's incoming Youth Action Plan. Concrete outcomes from the day included the recommendation to align the Action Plan with the 6 pillars of the UNFCCC's Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). Listen to what young people had to say about the power of collective action.

Meeting with FAO's youth team

WMO

Post of the day

All pictures from the WMO delegation are on the WMO COP29 photo album.

More communication assets are available on the UN Communication COP29 board.