For Azerbaijan, which is hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29), the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources and investments in this area are important, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elnur Mammadov, said on June 29, 2024, at a forum in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Mammadov noted that the country managed to attract large investors in the development of the renewable energy sector.
“We managed to attract investments from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the UK. We also continue to work on other projects with the EU, so that, according to Ursula von der Leyen, we act as a reliable partner,” Mammadov emphasised.
He recalled that a memorandum on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the EU was signed in July 2022, which contains two important components.
“The first is doubling the throughput capacity of the Southern Gas Corridor, increasing it from the current 12 billion cubic meters to 20 billion cubic meters by 2027. The second important component is our environmental agenda and the transition to a green economy. And, of course, for us, as country that will host COP29 later this year, it is now important that we also work on the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources,” he added.
Meanwhile, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, has emphasised the critical need for decisive action at COP29, saying that the conference must prioritise climate justice while considering the interests of developing nations.
Guterres painted a stark picture of the current climate reality.
Each of the last 12 months has been hotter than the previous one, he said, highlighting the alarming trend of rising global temperatures.
The UN chief noted that, for the first time, scientists are warning that we may exceed the crucial 1.5-degree Celsius threshold of global warming within the next few years – a situation that, while not irreversible, signals a “dramatic moment in history.”
Guterres stressed the importance of addressing climate change through the lens of climate justice. He pointed out that many developing countries, particularly small island nations and African countries, are bearing the brunt of climate change impacts despite contributing little to the problem.
According to Guterres, decisions that reverse the trend of climate change while also responding to the needs of those developing countries experiencing dramatic consequences and in need of resources will be a significant step forward.
The UN chief called on developed nations to fulfill their commitments and contribute more effectively to solving the problems faced by developing countries under the pressure of climate change.
Azerbaijan, as COP29 host, knows that this is an extremely important event, and its work in preparing for the conference deserves praise, Ambassador of Canada to Türkiye, Georgia and Azerbaijan with residence in Ankara, Kevin Hamilton, has said.
“I am confident that Baku will successfully host this event. The Canadian delegation will also take part in CO29,” the diplomat noted.
He added that he would visit Baku next week to present his credentials to the president of Azerbaijan.
In a related development, the United States has officially expressed its support for Azerbaijan in successfully hosting COP29. This announcement was made by James O’Brien, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, during a press briefing in Baku on June 28, 2024.
The United States strongly supported the role that Azerbaijan plays in this agreement, he said, adding that Washington provided as much consultation and technical support as it could.
O’Brien believes that climate change is a key issue for the entire world, and that this meeting provides an opportunity to make real progress in addressing some issues that are important for accelerating the transition to renewable fuels and mitigating the effects of climate change.
He said the United States is encouraged by Azerbaijan’s progress in this direction.
The selection of Baku as the host city for COP29 marks a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan’s environmental diplomacy. This decision was reached during the plenary session of COP28 in Dubai on December 11, 2023, reflecting the international community’s confidence in Azerbaijan’s capability to host such a crucial global event.
