Prime Minister Fiala at COP29: Promoting Nuclear Energy Essential for Achieving Climate Goals

Prime Minister Petr Fiala outlined the Czech Republic's positions in his speech at the COP 29 climate conference in Baku, 13 november 2024.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 to 13 November 2024. During his address at the conference, he emphasised the necessity of utilising clean energy sources, such as nuclear power. He also highlighted the importance of setting ambitious yet realistic goals to meet climate objectives. On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Ethiopia, the Congo, and other nations, primarily discussing the development of mutual trade.

In his speech, the Prime Minister stressed that in recent years, the global community has set climate goals that it has been unable to meet. "When I look at the history of global goals, I see many fails. In many areas and regions, it is extremely difficult to fulfil the promises made. It is not likely, that we will have more success with even stronger targets. We need to agree on reliable consensus. It must be ambitious and realistic. This is more important than bombastic declarations, which are then impossible to deliver. It is good, that the European Union wants to lead the way. But others must follow to make a real difference," Prime Minister Fiala stated.

Climate change poses a serious threat, and its devastating impacts can be seen across the globe. Prime Minister Fiala also noted that since 1990, the Czech Republic has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions by more than a third. "Our energy sector changes to the core. We will discontinue coal. And we push for renewables and nuclear power. As I said in Dubai last year, I strongly believe, that nuclear power is essential to meet climate goals. It gives me hope, that nuclear energy is more and more popular around the world. We also see development of new technologies. Czech Republic has 50 years of experience with nuclear power. We are ready to assist any country, that wants to use it in the future," Petr Fiala affirmed.

The COP29 conference is being held in Baku from 11 to 22 November 2024. Topics include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, financing climate measures in developing countries, adapting to climate change, and addressing loss and damage caused by its impacts.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Czech Prime Minister met with several world leaders. A significant meeting took place with the host, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "I thanked the President for releasing a detained Czech citizen. We also discussed energy, which is a key area of our cooperation. Azerbaijan is an important country for diversifying our energy supply," the Prime Minister said.

Another substantial discussion was held with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. "Since my visit last year, we have managed to launch several projects. For example, the first Czech-made L-410 aircraft have been delivered, and negotiations for the supply of commuter trains to Tashkent are nearing completion," added Prime Minister Fiala.

Other leaders with whom the Czech Prime Minister held discussions included Pakistani Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif, Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, and member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željka Cvijanović. He also met with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

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