(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Nazrin Abdul
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Hosting one of the largest UN events, the 29th session of the
Conference of the Parties to the Framework convention on Climate
Change marks a significant achievement for Azerbaijan. This success
stands as a cornerstone in Azerbaijan's foreign policy, rivalled
only by its leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement and membership
in the Security Council.
Azerbaijan has established itself as a dependable energy partner
and a responsible global player in combating climate change.
Despite its abundant oil and gas reserves, Azerbaijan is committed
to a sustainable energy future and a "green economy". The country
has long initiated the transition to renewable energy sources.
Following the signing of the Paris Agreement, Azerbaijan aims to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030 and 40% by 2050. The
development of renewable energy, therefore, forms a crucial pillar
of Azerbaijan's clean energy strategy.
Notably, Azerbaijan plans to commission 9 solar and wind power
plants by the end of 2027, generating up to 2 gigawatts of energy.
By 2030, an additional 10 plants with a capacity of up to 5
gigawatts will be operational.
In continuation of these efforts, Baku hosted the 29th
High-Level Meeting themed "Pathway to COP29: Sustainable and
Resilient Future," on June 19, a prelude to Azerbaijan's hosting of
COP29. The opening ceremony, held on June 19 and spanning three
days until June 21, was inaugurated by Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to
the President and Head of the Department of Foreign Policy of the
Presidential Administration, who read President Ilham Aliyev's
address.
"The fight against climate change has long been a pivotal global
issue," emphasised President Aliyev's address. He underscored the
climate crisis's global nature and its pervasive impact on
sustainable development and people's lives.
President Aliyev affirmed Azerbaijan's full preparedness for
COP29 and its commitment to fostering collaboration with other
nations and stakeholders in combating climate change. He
highlighted Azerbaijan's openness to cooperation with NGOs and
think tanks, acknowledging their role in sharing expertise and
supporting the COP29 preparations.
Regarding international cooperation, Azerbaijan collaborates
closely with Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, China, Central Asia,
and European countries on various joint projects. Notably,
Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Europe are advancing the
"Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe" green energy corridor, aimed at
exporting renewable energy from Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan region to
Turkiye and further to Europe.
Additionally, Azerbaijan is actively involved in the
"Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor" project, known as
the "Black Sea Cable", facilitating the transmission of green
energy from Azerbaijan's wind farms to Romania and beyond.
Overall, Azerbaijan's strides in sustainable energy and its
proactive role in global climate action position it as a key player
in shaping a green, equitable, and sustainable future for the
planet.
The green energy partnership, initiated in 2020 with Saudi
Arabia's ACWA Power and the UAE's Masdar for pilot projects
totaling 240 MW of wind and 230 MW of solar, has rapidly expanded
in scope. In a short span, collaboration with companies like
Masdar, ACWA Power, bp , Fortescue Future Industries, China
Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment, Total Energies, Nobel Energy,
and A-Z Czech Engineering has surged, resulting in a cumulative
capacity exceeding 28 gigawatts. These cooperative efforts
underscore international confidence in Azerbaijan's green energy
trajectory, championed by its president.
During Baku Energy Week, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan
(SOCAR) and Masdar finalised Shareholder Agreements for three
renewable energy ventures: one wind and two solar power projects
within Azerbaijan.
Key milestones include the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding between Azerbaijan's State Agency for Renewable
Energy and the EU's WindEurope, alongside another MOU between
Azerbaijan's Ministry of Energy and EU-based Nobel Energy, marking
pivotal moments in forging new energy alliances. These initiatives
align with Azerbaijan's strategy, developed jointly with the EU,
aimed at integrating green energy into the national grid by
2027.
President Aliyev reiterated Azerbaijan's climate commitments in
his address, urging global action against escalating climate
threats:
"While significant strides have been made globally to combat
global warming, escalating challenges demand urgent international
mobilization to limit warming to 1.5°C. We face a critical juncture
where the international community must swiftly agree on new
collective financial targets beyond 2025 at COP29 in Baku. This
underscores our collective responsibility to safeguard our
future."
The President also highlighted Azerbaijan's commitment to
addressing the unique challenges of small island states, which are
disproportionately impacted by climate change. As host of COP29,
Azerbaijan pledges to facilitate constructive dialogue and ensure
impactful climate action, focusing on mitigation, adaptation,
finance, biodiversity, water and food security, agriculture, and
the role of science and innovation.
"In assuming the presidency of this esteemed event, Azerbaijan
is dedicated to steering COP29 towards successful outcomes through
transparent, inclusive negotiations. We look forward to robust
discussions at the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre, confident
they will drive essential decisions crucial for our planet."
This statement outlines Azerbaijan's proactive role in global
climate governance and its steadfast commitment to advancing
sustainable solutions on the world stage.
The President of Azerbaijan also highlighted the remarkable
achievements of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre, which
organised the event.
"Operating under the guiding principles of the visionary
Azerbaijani poet and thinker, Nizami Ganjavi, the Nizami Ganjavi
International Centre has swiftly risen to prominence as a leading
global institution, earning widespread respect and trust," stated
President Ilham Aliyev.
Expressing his appreciation for the centre's initiatives and
innovative approaches to tackling contemporary global challenges,
the President remarked, "The efforts of the Nizami Ganjavi
International Centre are highly esteemed and valued on the
international stage."
During the event's opening ceremony, Ismail Serageldin, the
moderator and co-chairman of the Nizami Ganjavi International
Centre, was honoured with the "honorary diploma of the President of
the Republic of Azerbaijan."
In his address, Serageldin reflected on the 30 years since the
Kyoto Protocol was first introduced, noting the profound changes
since then in the global effort to combat climate change. He
underscored the significance of Azerbaijan hosting COP 29 this
year, emphasising, "We are actively engaged in discussions with our
team. The recent unprecedented heatwaves exceeding 52 degrees
Celsius in Pakistan and India underscore the severe challenges
posed by global warming and climate change to humanity."
Mukhtar Babayev, the President of COP29 and Azerbaijan's
Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, affirmed Azerbaijan's
commitment to ensuring COP29 is conducted inclusively,
transparently, and fairly.
"As the COP29 Presidency, it is crucial to listen to all
perspectives and foster consensus in addressing climate change,"
emphasised the Minister.
He further highlighted, "Over the past months, our team has held
extensive consultations with leaders of relevant international
organisations, creating new opportunities to enhance ambition and
action."
The 29th High-Level Meeting, organised in preparation for COP29,
aims to address key issues in the fight against climate change. The
event is progressing with panel sessions, covering a wide range of
topics. Notably, the first day included panels attended by up to
100 guests, focusing on "Overview of the Climate Challenge,"
"Balancing Mitigation, Adaptation, and Sustainability," and
"Climate Change's Impact on Water, Biodiversity, and Food
Security."
Participants also engaged in discussions on "The Role of
Science, Technology, and Innovation," "Challenges Facing the Food
and Agriculture Sector," "Financing Climate Change Responses and
Sustainable Development Goals," "One Planet, One Health: Uniting
for a Sustainable Future," and Azerbaijan's unique experiences and
insights.
Jean-Pierre Cayol, Coordinator of the Department of Nuclear
Sciences and Applications at the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), stressed that "advancing innovation will be pivotal in the
global efforts to combat climate change."
Appreciating Azerbaijan's commitment, the representative of AEBA
emphasised, "Addressing the climate crisis must be the foremost
priority for all nations worldwide. Incorporating cutting-edge
technologies and innovative ideas is crucial in this endeavour.
COP29 presents a significant opportunity for advancing in this
direction."
During the panel discussion, Milica Pejanovic-Durišić, former
Minister of Defense of Montenegro, asserted, "COP29 should serve as
a platform to extensively explore and discuss the intersections of
new biology, ICT, and artificial intelligence."
She added, "We are witnessing an era of remarkable scientific,
technological, and innovative advancements. The revolutions in new
biology, ICT, and artificial intelligence offer unprecedented
possibilities. Our primary objective should be to harness these
advancements for the benefit of future generations amidst the
challenges posed by climate change."
In her contribution to the panel, MP Nigar Arpadarai
underscored, "At COP29, our primary focus should be on attracting
investments to tackle climate change issues."
Highlighting the escalating financial risks, she stressed, "We
need to enhance our universities and support our researchers to
drive green innovation. This entails leveraging state-of-the-art
technologies and ideas to develop new products and processes that
not only spur growth but also foster inclusivity."
Two panel discussions of the event, which conclude on June 21,
will take place in Zangilan district.
It's worth highlighting that the success of COP29 will not only
reflect Azerbaijan's achievement but also enhance the credibility
and integrity of global climate action. COP29 holds the promise of
handing down a healthier and more sustainable world to future
generations.
Thus, global cooperation is imperative in addressing climate
challenges. A successful COP29 can catalyse interest in sustainable
solutions through collective efforts, contributing to a better
world for generations to come. Addressing climate challenges also
presents an opportunity to promote not only environmental health
but also economic prosperity and sustainable development.
In conclusion, the decision to entrust Azerbaijan with the
responsibility of hosting COP29 underscores the international
community's profound confidence in our nation. This trust is rooted
in Azerbaijan's extensive experience in hosting numerous
international events focused on political, economic, and
humanitarian issues.
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