The Nizami Ganjavi International Center organized a high-level roundtable during the London Climate Action Week 2026 on “Closing the Climate Investment Gap: The Critical Role of the Private Sector” in partnership with COP29 and COP31 presidencies and the Zero Waste Foundation.

The discussions focused on increasing private sector investments in the energy transition, closing the global climate finance gap, and formulating specific initiatives in this direction ahead of COP31.

The event was attended by Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues; Samed Ağırbaş, Türkiye's Climate High-Level Champion for COP31; Nigar Arpadarai, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29; representatives of the international finance and energy sectors, as well as members of the NGIC.

The roundtable served as a significant platform for strengthening the private sector's role in climate finance and accelerating the clean energy transition.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center organized a roundtable titled “From Baku to Belém and Türkiye: Keeping Climate Cooperation Alive in an Era of Global Fragmentation” within the framework of the London Climate Action Week 2026.

The event was dedicated to ensuring the continuity of global climate cooperation during the transition from the outcomes achieved at COP29 in Baku to the agenda of COP30 in Belém and preparations for COP31.

The roundtable was held in an interactive discussion format. During the discussions, special attention was paid to the legacy and contributions of COP29 to global climate action, the transformation of climate commitments into practical implementation mechanisms, and the preservation of political momentum between COP conferences. Participants emphasized that climate cooperation is not only of ecological importance but also holds critical significance for the future of multilateral cooperation, global governance, and international trust.

The event featured speeches by Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s Presidential Representative on Climate Issues and COP29 President; Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Climate Champion and Member of the Milli Majlis; Kristian Mensah, Chief Advisor to the COP31 High-Level Climate Champions; Ana Palacio, former Foreign Minister of Spain; Ana Birchall, former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Justice of Romania; Patricia Scotland, Member of the UK House of Lords and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; and Benedetto Zacchiroli, Chair of UNESCO’s International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and President of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism. The roundtable was moderated by Eka Tkeshelashvili, former Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia.

The roundtable served as an important platform for building bridges between the priorities of COP29, COP30, and COP31, as well as for strengthening continuity and long-term ambition in the global climate agenda.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center successfully participated with a high-level delegation in the London Climate Action Week (LCAW 2026) global forum held in the London from June 22–24, 2026.

Throughout the forum, members of the Center engaged in vital official meetings and panel discussions focused on global climate goals, the green transition, and multilateral cooperation.

The Center was represented at this influential event by prominent figures from global politics and business:

• Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic — President of Croatia (2015–2020)
• Csaba Korosi — President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
• Ana Palacio — Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain (2002–2004)
• Baroness Patricia Scotland — Former Commonwealth Secretary-General; Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom
• Ana Birchall — Deputy Prime Minister of Romania (2018–2019); Minister of Justice (2019)
• Zlatko Lagumdzija — Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN; Former Prime Minister
• Eka Tkeshelashvili — Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia (2010–2012)
• Jean Baderschneider — Board of Directors, Fortescue Ltd.; Former Vice President, ExxonMobil (2000–2013)
• Benedetto Zacchiroli — Chair of the International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities of UNESCO

During the forum, the delegation took part in three core panel discussions shaping the global climate agenda:

Bridging the COP Agendas: An interactive roundtable focused on maintaining political momentum and structural continuity between the outcomes of COP29 in Baku, the upcoming COP30 agenda in Belém (Brazil), and preparations for COP31. Speakers emphasized that preserving international trust and establishing practical implementation mechanisms are critical shielding tools against global fragmentation.

Technology & Energy Transition: This dedicated roundtable analyzed the intersection of innovation and sustainability, evaluating the dual role of artificial intelligence (AI) in driving green technology versus its expanding energy consumption footprint.

Corporate Climate Leadership: This high-level panel focused on private sector mobilization, exploring corporate strategies and financial frameworks required to deliver on the global climate action roadmap.

Parallel to the thematic sessions, the NGIC delegation engaged in exclusive strategic luncheons and bilateral dialogues with prominent UK statesmen to align international policy:

Strategic Dialogue with Rt Hon Lord Alok Sharma: A high-level session focusing on international climate delivery with the UK Member of Parliament and President of the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

High-Level Working Lunch with Baroness Theresa May: An exclusive diplomatic exchange with the Rt. Hon. Baroness Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2016–2019), addressing long-term global ambitions and multilateral climate frameworks.

The outcomes of the forum reaffirm that the Nizami Ganjavi International Center continues to serve as a leading global think tank in climate diplomacy, facilitating critical cross-platform strategic transitions following COP29.

Within the framework of the Zero Waste Forum 2026, a strategic coordination meeting was held between members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and Samed Ağırbaş, COP31 Climate High-Level Champion and CEO of the Zero Waste Foundation.

The high-level discussions focused on the NGIC’s active role in the formal preparations for the upcoming COP31 summit, immediate opportunities for joint collaboration during the upcoming London Climate Action Week, and the Center’s long-term engagement and institutional contribution to global COP31 activities.

During the session, NGIC member Zlatko Lagumdzija, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations and former Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, officially presented a special gift to Samed Ağırbaş.

On behalf of the Center, Lagumdzija presented the book “Lennon”, authored by fellow NGIC member Ivo Josipovic, the former President of Croatia. The gesture underscored the unique intersection of cultural diplomacy and global leadership that defines the Center's international missions.

As part of its extensive engagement at the Zero Waste Forum 2026 in Istanbul, the high-level delegation from the Nizami Ganjavi International Center actively participated in two pivotal climate diplomacy sessions focused on accelerating practical frameworks ahead of COP31 in Antalya.

High-Level Ministerial Session: From Istanbul to COP31 Antalya

The NGIC delegation took part in the High-Level Ministerial Session on Environment and Climate, held under the theme "Advancing Climate Mitigation through Zero Waste Solutions: From Istanbul to COP31 Antalya."

This ministerial session served as a key political anchor for the forum, bridging the circular economy initiatives showcased in Istanbul with the upcoming formal negotiations under the Turkish COP31 Presidency. Discussions among ministers, global leaders, and NGIC members highlighted how national zero-waste frameworks can be integrated directly into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to achieve rapid climate mitigation.

Private Sector Engagement During COP31

Recognizing that public policy must be matched by market delivery, the delegation also participated in high-level discussions centered around “Private Sector Engagement during COP31.”

Organized in close collaboration with the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK) and held with the valued support of COP31 Climate High-Level Champion Samed Ağırbaş, the session mapped out concrete mechanisms to mobilize green investments.

Members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center delivered keynote speeches during the high-level sessions of the Zero Waste Forum 2026 in Istanbul.

Our members shared their insights and perspectives on driving sustainable policy and climate action on the "Road to Antalya":

Ismail Serageldin, Co-Chair, NGIC; Vice President of the World Bank (1992-2000) addressed the forum on the global development and economic aspects of the zero-waste transition.

Rebeca Grynspan, UN Secretary-General candidate focused her speech on the intersection of multilateral trade, development, and the circular economy.

Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Former Mayor of Kuala Lumpur; former Executive Director, UN-Habitat highlighted sustainable urban governance and the local implementation of zero-waste strategies.

The keynote addresses by the NGIC members contributed to the forum's high-level dialogue ahead of the upcoming COP31.