GENEVA – On November 6, 2024, Dominicans for Justice and Peace co-organised with several faith-based organisations (FBOs) the COP29 Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue spearheaded by the Interfaith Liaison Committee. This gathering was meant to kickstart COP29 taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 11–22, 2024, while providing FBOs and climate justice advocates a collaborative and engaging platform to identify solutions from different angles.
To make the gathering more accessible and inclusive for local and international interfaith communities and climate justice advocates all over the world, this year’s gathering was held virtually via Zoom. Over 76 participants from different FBOs, interfaith communities, and environmental groups came together to discuss effective approaches and sustainable solutions to the global climate challenges.
We were very fortunate to have Vicente Paolo Yu, Senior Legal Adviser with the Third World Network and Associate Fellow within the Global Fellowship Initiative of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, discuss current climate issues the global community is facing and key developments at stake at COP29, including climate finance, loss and damage, and technology transfer. Yu made reference to the crucial role of FBOs and inter-faith communities in facilitating constructive dialogue for climate justice and mobilising effective and inclusive solutions to worldwide environmental problems.
In fulfilment of the gathering’s key purpose, small group discussions enabled all participants to share their experiences, insights, and hopes while contemplating on the three Talanoa questions: Where are we? Where do we want to go? How can we get there? Afterwards, each group imparted their shared ideas, thoughts and reflections among all the participants, giving everyone the opportunity to listen, engage and empower one another.
The COP29 Interfaith Talanoa Dialogue concluded with a very heartwarming, inspiring and thoughtful interfaith prayer service. Interfaith Liaison Committee, Dominicans for Justice and Peace and all co-organisers are very grateful to representatives of FBOs and interfaith communities, climate activists and individuals who joined and supported this gathering as well as shared their fruitful experiences, knowledge, insights and reflections for climate justice to help achieve solidarity, peace and unity in the world.