The United Nations Climate Change executive secretary, Simon Stiell, has advocated genuine and committed cooperation among countries in the fight against climate challenges.

Mr Stiell spoke in a welcome address at the opening of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday.

He stressed the need for countries to deepen emission-cutting strategies as required in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“In these halls, we negotiate on specific pieces of the puzzle each year. We cannot afford to continue up-ending lives and livelihoods in every nation – so let’s make this real. That’s why we’re here in Baku. We must agree on a new global climate finance goal,” he said.

Mr Stiell demonstrated the need for countries to collaborate while working earnestly towards newer ways of realising climate finance.

He said the solution to climate challenges can’t be solved in one conference, advocating continued global cooperation, especially among the wealthiest countries.

“If at least two-thirds of the world’s nations cannot afford to cut emissions quickly, then every nation pays a brutal price.

“If nations can’t build resilience into supply chains, the entire global economy will be brought to its knees”, Mr Stiell added.