The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) participated in the UN COP 29 Climate Change Conference, held this year in Baku under Azerbaijan's presidency. As one of the most significant global events in the fight against climate change, the conference reviewed the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and assessed the feasibility of maintaining the Paris Agreement’s target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Representatives from governments, academia, and industry came together to develop strategies for sustainability and climate protection.

Key topics of the conference included reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, advancing adaptation strategies, and addressing food security challenges.

The “Sustainable Agriculture” panel discussion was a highlight of the event, featuring Dr. Gergő Péter Kovács, Deputy Director of MATE’s Institute of Crop Sciences and Associate Professor, as an invited expert. Dr. Kovács emphasized the critical role of education in making agricultural practices more sustainable. In his speech, he underscored the importance of soil protection and conservation tillage systems as fundamental measures in combating climate change. He pointed out that adhering to rational agricultural practices is crucial for facilitating adaptation, especially under changing environmental conditions. Dr. Kovács also highlighted the importance of digitalization and data collection, which enable the development of advanced predictive models to mitigate the impacts of climate change. His presentation provided valuable insights into the necessity of sustainable agricultural solutions.

​​​​​​The panel discussion was moderated by Niyazi Əmirbəyov, CEO of AgroDairy, and included thought-provoking contributions from Max Hardegg, owner of Gut Hardegg farm; Zaur Əliyev, advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Arnoud Van Der Berg, CEO of Al-Dhara.
COP 29 once again underscored the critical importance of international cooperation in securing a sustainable future.