NEWS

Head of State: Science Holds the Key Not only to Reducing Our Carbon Footprint but also to Improving Life in an Era of Climate Instability

In his national statement at the COP29 World Climate Forum in Azerbaijan, President Rumen Radev called for continued support for climate science and education

Science holds the key not only to reducing our carbon footprint, but also to improving life in an era of climate instability. We therefore call for continued support for climate science and education. This is what President Rumen Radev said during the national address he delivered at the 29th Summit of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29). In Baku, Azerbaijan, where the global forum is being held, the Head of State led the Bulgarian delegation, which includes the caretaker Minister of Energy Vladimir Malinov, the caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth Rosen Karadimov, representatives of state institutions and agencies, innovative Bulgarian companies and industrial enterprises. The President is accompanied by his wife Desislava Radeva.

In his speech, the Bulgarian Head of State highlighted the stated main objective of COP29 related to climate funding, stressing that it should be provided from all existing sources, both public and private, and focus on the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Rumen Radev pointed to the need for high ambitions in the process of decarbonisation of the global energy systems and, in his words, this can only be achieved by applying all available technologies, significantly improving energy efficiency, upgrading energy infrastructure and ensuring that energy security remains the top priority. As no region in the world is spared from climate-related disasters, all countries should make efforts in adapting to climate change, the Head of State further stressed.

Bulgaria is committed not only to being part of regional energy cooperation initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Black Sea region, but also beyond, the President further said, pointing out that our country will continue to strengthen ties between the European Union and countries outside it that share our priorities on climate neutrality, a just energy transition, energy security and low-carbon technological innovation.