The UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, Nigar Arpadarai attended the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial on 21 and 22 March to highlight how the real economy is driving significant global climate action and can support national governments in developing enhanced national climate action plans – known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – ahead of COP30.

Ms. Arpadarai engaged in plenary and breakout sessions with Ministers and met with NGO group representatives to listen to priorities and exchange ideas on where and how the High-Level Champions, the Marrakech Partnership and actors in the real economy can best support governments in the year ahead.

The Copenhagen Climate Ministerial has become a significant moment for environmental ministers to build on previous climate talks and pave the way for enhanced global climate action in the months ahead. This year will offer an opportunity to reflect on the outcomes of the UAE Consensus and chart the way forward to COP29 in Azerbaijan in November.

“When it comes to combating climate change, neither governments nor non-government entities can do it alone,” Ms. Arpadarai said. “We need bold climate action from all sectors of society, each of which can push the other forward towards a more prosperous, resilient, zero-carbon economy. It’s been inspiring to hear of bold leadership from countries large and small as we build towards COP29 in Azerbaijan – a platform where all will have an equal voice.”

In Copenhagen, Ms. Arpadarai highlighted the action already being taken globally across all corners of the economy, to address climate change, providing governments with the confidence that strong, clear, ambitious NDCs will support and accelerate efforts by businesses, cities, regions and civil society to rapidly scale their action.

A next generation of national climate transition and resilience plans will provide the clarity and confidence to make finance flow to zero-carbon, climate-resilient, and nature-positive development pathways.

Find out more about key themes at the Copenhagen Climate Ministerial , including recent progress towards a Just Transition Away from fossil fuels, policy incentives to increase finance flows and the next generation of national climate transition and resilience plans.