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The Pre-COP29 event was held on 22 October 2024 at Khazar University in Baku, Azerbaijan, and led by Professor Yelena Kalyuzhnova, the Director of the CEAS. This event provided a vital platform for reflecting on COP28 outcomes and setting the stage for COP29 discussions, especially as Azerbaijan, a nation with a historical reliance on fossil fuels, prepares to host.

The theme of the event was 'A Farewell to Fossil Fuels?' and the main focus was on strategies for transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable energy while supporting economic growth in developing nations. Discussions focused on balancing energy security with climate action, featuring insights from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the broader Euro-Asian region.

The event aimed to build on the successes of COP28, addressing unresolved issues surrounding climate change and the United Nations' sustainable development goals and advancing meaningful global progress. Youth voices played a central role, with members of the Reading Youth Council invited to participate alongside other young leaders to share their perspectives on climate policy and their expectations for COP29.

Speaking after the event, Professor Kalyuzhnova reflected on its impact: "It was a highly successful partnership between Khazar University and the Centre for Euro-Asian Studies."