2024 has officially been declared the hottest year on record by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), with global temperatures soaring due to an intense El Niño event. This alarming announcement came as COP29 opened in Baku, Azerbaijan, where UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell delivered an urgent call for global cooperation to address the growing climate crisis.

Stiell stressed the importance of ramping up investments in clean energy and strengthening climate resilience to mitigate the devastating effects of rising temperatures.

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The WMO’s report paints a dire picture, noting record-breaking ocean heat, rising sea levels, the rapid retreat of glaciers, and more frequent extreme weather events. UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed these concerns, warning that the ongoing climate crisis is exacerbating health challenges, deepening inequalities, and threatening global stability—particularly in vulnerable regions.

As COP29 continues, leaders and experts are calling for immediate action to limit global warming and enhance efforts to adapt to the changing climate, ensuring that the goals of the Paris Agreement are met.