Week one at COP29 in Baku has been a whirlwind of excitement, a touch of anxiety, and immense anticipation. Our journey began with a delay—our flight from Milan to Baku was set back by two hours, leaving everyone in the Duke delegation a bit sleep-deprived and exhausted. But, on arrival, greeted by massive COP29 signs throughout Heydar Aliyev International Airport and around the city, it truly felt like our months of preparation in the practicum class were finally taking shape. I have always been curious about the organizational side of one of the world’s largest climate conferences. Last year in Dubai, over 85,000 attendees were present, which made me wonder how Baku would manage the influx of visitors. The logistical management was, surprisingly, smooth. With COP29 shuttles readily available and efficient public transportation options, arriving at the accommodations was pretty easy and convenient – a promising start for the week ahead.

My first day kicked off early, heading to the venue at 5 a.m. The enthusiasm of arriving to my very first COP only grew as I entered the pavilion area. Each country’s booth was alive with colors, traditions, and music, creating a lively blend of culture within this climate-focused space. Indonesia opened its pavilion with a traditional dance, and Uzbekistan’s station offered guests tea and snacks. Many attendees proudly wore their traditional attire, creating a rich, colorful tapestry of global representation throughout the conference. I was especially moved when I heard an indigenous group performing a traditional song about climate and heritage. This cultural immersion was beautiful to witness, yet also a grounding reminder of the intersection of climate change with indigenous struggles and the resilience of those most vulnerable.

Given my role in the class mock debate, representing China’s delegation, I naturally gravitated toward the Chinese pavilion to observe its opening ceremony. The event featured talking points that echoed many of our team’s earlier discussions, with a focus on China’s leadership in renewable energy investments and its support for developing nations through initiatives like South-South Cooperation. Liu Zhenmin, China’s new special envoy for climate change, gave a powerful speech on fostering collaboration toward shared climate goals, which felt especially resonant as we prepared to make meaningful connections with representatives from other countries.

One standout moment of the day was learning about Incofin’s Climate-Smart Microfinance Fund. Highlighted by Belgium’s Prime Minister, this fund addresses the critical need for private sector financing in climate adaptation, often overlooked in favor of mitigation. Incofin’s fund targets small and micro-businesses in emerging markets that require support to adapt and scale. The fund’s CEO emphasized its mission to bridge the capital gap for these businesses, showcasing how initiatives like this can catalyze a climate-resilient economy and ensure lasting impact in vulnerable communities. Conversations like these are especially important as the negotiations around the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) start this week. The opportunity to observe in these sessions is invaluable, especially as the role of public and private finance takes center stage in addressing both mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage needs.