On November 18, 2024, the finals of the “Climate Change Challenge,” organized by Saïd Business School, Univeristy of Oxford and Burjeel Holdings with the support of Sumgayit State University, took place as part of COP29. The competition received over 1,000 applications from 58 countries, including more than 130 from Azerbaijan.  A total of five teacher finalists and five student teams advanced to the final stage. Among the teacher finalists were Aliya Ahmadova from Azerbaijan, Mariya Shah and Naqeeb Mehdi from India, Michael P. Jones from the UK, and Roudaina Kassam from Lebanon. The student teams included two from the USA and one each from the UK, UAE, and  Lebanon – all presenting their projects to the jury. Kanan Karimzade, Deputy Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, opened the event, emphasizing the importance of the initiative and wishing success to the finalists. Speeches were also delivered by the rector of SSU Rufat Azizov and Saïd Business School’s Chief Operating Officer, Manos Kapterian, who shared insights about the competition. Following the presentations, the jury evaluated the projects, awarding Naqeeb Mehdi from India among the teacher finalists and the UAE team among the student groups as first-place winners. During the award ceremony, Deputy Minister Hasan Hasanli highlighted the competition’s benefits and congratulated the winners. The annual “Climate Change Challenge” is a global initiative designed to inspire youth to take action against climate change and foster transformative changes within their communities.