site.btaEnvironment Minister Julian Popov: It Is Important for Bulgaria that COP29 Be Held in Eastern Europe

In a joint session during a two-day informal meeting in Valladolid, Spain, EU Environment and Energy Ministers discussed expectations for the outcome of the upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) which will be held in Dubai at the end of 2023.

For Bulgaria, it is important to ensure a balance between the main negotiating issues by not allowing the financial aspect of the negotiations to be raised as an absolute priority at the expense of other fundamental issues such as mitigation, adaptation, and global review of progress. Regarding the financial arrangements, the Bulgarian side believes that financial assistance should be targeted, as a matter of priority, at countries and communities that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including the least developed countries and small island states.

Environment and Water Minister Julian Popov confirmed that Bulgaria supports its bid to host the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) despite the stalled process. "It is important for Bulgaria that COP29 is held in Eastern Europe, with our country positioning itself as a driving force of the interests and priorities of the region," Minister Popov explained.

The final decision on who will host COP29 will be taken at the latest during COP28 in Dubai.