Azerbaijan chairs key UN environment forum in Nairobi, Kenya PHOTO

01 December 2025 20:15

The seventh meeting of the Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) commenced today in Nairobi under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan.

According to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kenya, this biennial meeting will run for five days, focusing on the discussion and adoption of draft decisions and resolutions in preparation for the 7th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) scheduled for next week, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Sultan Hajiyev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP, was elected in June 2025 as Chair of the UNEP CPR for the 2025–2027 term, marking his first tenure in this role.

The UNEP CPR, the Assembly’s main permanent body, comprises 193 member states and is responsible for setting international priorities on environmental protection and sustainable development. The upcoming 7th UNEA session is expected to host around 5,000 delegates, including over 60 ministerial-level heads of delegation. During its chairmanship, Azerbaijan is coordinating its efforts alongside the Sultanate of Oman, President of the 7th UNEA session.

Azerbaijan’s active role in UNEP follows its hosting of COP29 in November 2024, which bolstered the country’s international recognition through the implementation of global environmental protection and climate change initiatives. Its election as CPR Chair, coupled with its designation as the host country for World Environment Day 2026 (WED2026), underscores the country’s growing influence in global environmental governance.

Looking ahead, Azerbaijan will also host the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13) from May 17–22, 2026, where a key focus will be exploring the interconnections between climate change and sustainable urban development.

Through these initiatives, Azerbaijan continues to solidify its leadership role in shaping international environmental policy and promoting sustainable development on a global scale.