As an Associate Fellow at the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law
(CISDL), I am very grateful to have received accredited registration as a UN Virtual-Only
Participant. Because COP29 was hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan between 11 to 22 November
2024 being an online delegate turned out to be perfect for me, as it coincided with one of the
busiest periods at South African universities. My LLB students were in the midst of their
final exams, and I found myself juggling lectures and the demanding task of marking exam
scripts—all within very tight deadlines. Despite these challenges, being able to participate
virtually in COP29 was incredibly significant (& very exciting!). It offered me a unique
opportunity to engage in global discussions on climate change without leaving my home
country, South Africa. The virtual format not only allowed me to stay connected to this
critical global event despite my local commitments, but it also highlighted the power of
technology in bridging geographical distances. Using the COP29 platform, I could connect
with fellow delegates from around the world, schedule events according to my time zone and
witness first hand how international cooperation on climate action is unfolding— all from the
comfort of my own workspace. This accessibility underscored the truly global nature of
COP29, demonstrating that climate solutions are not bound by borders, and that every
voice—no matter where it’s from—has a place in shaping our collective future. And my fomo
(fear of missing out) was reduced because I still enjoyed the overall atmosphere. Writing this
blog is a great opportunity to share my insights, experiences, and my key takeaways as a
virtual delegate.
You can keep reading the full blog post by Adv. Zunaida Moosa Wadiwala here.