Baku: Nearly 500 foreign NGOs from 100 countries issued a joint statement at COP29, commending Azerbaijan for the successful organization of the event. The 'Baku Breakthrough' was highlighted as a significant milestone, particularly for the adoption of new climate finance mechanisms and the operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, along with the launch of the Loss and Damage Fund. According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the COP29 NGO Coalition, which includes a substantial representation from developing countries, praised the collective efforts that led to the agreement involving 198 parties. Although there was a preference for a larger financial commitment in the climate finance document, the Coalition acknowledged the complexities and negotiations involved. The statement expressed optimism that the call for increased funding would be a vital reference for future COP discussions. The COP29 NGO Coalition was formed by the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum and has seen a growth in participation, inc luding organizations with special observer status at COP. This initiative has fostered an inclusive platform for NGOs from the Global South, enabling active participation in COP29. The statement from the Coalition also emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance climate action post-COP29. Azerbaijani NGOs have gained notable support from international counterparts, highlighted by an international conference on South-South cooperation held on November 15, 2024. This event resulted in a joint statement on the role of NGOs in climate action, supported by over 1,000 representatives from 137 countries. This marked the first instance of such extensive international backing for Azerbaijani NGO initiatives, covering regions representing 71 percent of the global population. Ramil Iskandarli, Chairman of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, noted the growing respect for Azerbaijan's policies in the Global South and suggested the establishment of a Global South NGO Platform to further these efforts.