The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan has launched two flagship projects under the COP29 Presidency - Commonwealth Fund for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), following the disbursement of an initial US$2 million from a US$10 million grant.
The funding marks the first phase of a partnership announced in 2024 between the Government of Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth Secretariat to strengthen environmental resilience in Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
From the first US$2 million disbursement, US$1 million will fund two flagship projects: implementation of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, which was a major outcome of the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa and the delivery of AI and space data solutions for climate action.
The Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration project will support SIDS to restore, conserve and sustainably use the ocean. This includes targeted assistance to help countries address the ocean–climate change nexus, expand access to blue finance, strengthen marine protection, and reduce marine plastic pollution.
The AI and space data project will enhance access to space-derived climate data and analytics, enabling governments to strengthen climate monitoring, early warning systems and evidence-based decision-making to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The remaining US$1 million will be allocated as grants to five Commonwealth SIDS, with the Secretariat currently developing the grant mechanism in consultation with member countries.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey said:
“This first COP29 Presidency grant symbolises a significant forward step for the Commonwealth and its fight against climate change. By harnessing geospatial and Earth observation technologies to strengthen access to climate finance, we are turning global commitments into practical action. As we look ahead to CHOGM in Antigua and Barbuda this November, this partnership demonstrates how collaboration can unlock investment, accelerate delivery and drive meaningful impact for our people and planet.”
The partnership is grounded in the Joint Declaration signed by the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth Secretariat in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, on 27 August 2024. It reflects a shared commitment to support Commonwealth SIDS in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthening resilience to climate change through practical cooperation and jointly implemented projects.
The grant also reinforces the COP29 Presidency’s commitment to delivering practical, implementation-focused outcomes that translate global climate ambition into tangible national impact.
COP29 President and Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues, Mukhtar Babayev, said:
“The COP29 Presidency is committed to ensuring that climate finance delivers measurable impact on the ground. Our partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat reflects a shared ambition to support innovative, country-driven solutions that help the most vulnerable build resilience and harness new opportunities in a changing climate space.”
Further funding from the remaining US$10 million commitment will be deployed in subsequent phases over five years to support additional projects across Commonwealth SIDS.
