COP29 press conference: Azerbaijan's path to environmental diplomacy
And ambitions for renewables

ECONOMICS  15 April 2024 - 18:00

On April 15, 2024, the COP29 Presidency of the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted its first press conference. The press conference featured addresses from various key figures, including COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev, Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev, Chief Executive Officer Elnur Soltanov, Chair of the COP29 Operating Company and Chief Operating Officer Narmin Jarchalova, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion Nigar Arpadarai, and UN Youth Climate Champion Leyla Hasanova.

In her opening remarks, Mrs. Nigar Arpadarai underlined the specific negative impacts of the growing urbanization, migration, and industrialization on the global ecosystem and environment. In this regard, she particularly mentioned that the upcoming COP29 event in Baku and final decisions will have an outstanding impact on international environmental policy. Following Arpadarai’s remarks, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources and COP29 President-Designate, positively assessed the COP29's role in Azerbaijan's renewed environmental strategy. The minister also urged the local media to help disseminate more information regarding COP29 and support the local governmental institutions involved in the organizational process.

Minister Babayev underlined that Azerbaijan will be the first country within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to host such a spectacular event as COP29. According to him, the successful host of COP29 will significantly boost Azerbaijan's role in the world and the region. Moreover, the COP29 event organization will mark a green solidarity year for Azerbaijan.

On his end, Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chief negotiator of COP29, stated that the main work regarding COP29 will consist of two main directions: 1) the implementation of international agreements; 2) preparing new initiatives within COP during Azerbaijan's presidency. In this regard, Azerbaijan is continuing its close partnership with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, former COP presidents. Yalchin Rafiyev mentioned that Azerbaijan expects the full support of participating countries in COP and the strengthening of political partnerships. Therefore, Azerbaijan will embrace three strategic points during the organization of COP29: transparency, inclusiveness, and negotiations. Undoubtedly, Azerbaijan maintains a neutral position but will demonstrate strong commitment in order to resolve ecological problems across the globe.

The existing ecological problems were repeatedly mentioned by Elnur Soltanov, Deputy Minister of Energy and Chief Executive Officer of COP29. During the press conference, Elnur Soltanov highlighted Azerbaijan's aim to decrease carbon emissions by 35 per cent in 2024 and 50 per cent by 2030. According to the deputy minister, COP29 will transform the traditional understanding of energy in the country and facilitate the steady transfer to renewable energy sources. For example, Elnur Soltanov mentioned the Mingachevir Thermal Power Plant, the largest power plant in the country, but it operates on an outdated infrastructure. In this vein, he says, old turbines in the Mingachevir plant will be replaced by modern and environmentally friendly systems that will help to operate more appropriately and save more energy.

As for the organizational part, Narmin Jarchalova, Chief Operating Officer of COP29, announced that the inaugural event for COP will be held at Baku Olympic Stadium, which earlier hosted numerous nationwide events and has all necessary infrastructure instalments. However, some additional infrastructure will also be installed near the stadium to ensure all guests’ comfort and safety at the same time. In addition, COP29 will hire volunteers from students to support the smooth work of the event.

Ultimately, all speakers thanked the media for their interest in COP29 and urged all media organizations and enthusiastic youth to support and contribute to organizing the most crucial event in Azerbaijan's history.

Caliber.Az