Azerbaijan pays special attention to combating climate change, President Aliyev says

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to combatting climate change during his message at the International Baku Forum on “Climate Change and Human Rights: the Role of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions.”

"Azerbaijan is among countries that pay special attention to the fight against climate change and its negative effects in accordance with the obligations arising from the UN Sustainable Development Goals," President Aliyev stated, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media. 

He highlighted that one of the five national priorities for the country’s socioeconomic development until 2030 is defined as “Country of clean environment and green growth.”

In line with this priority, the president mentioned that significant efforts are being made to improve the environment, restore and enhance greenery, and ensure the efficient use of water and sustainable energy sources.

“Azerbaijan is also a country contributing to global climate action,” he added, noting the significance of the forum coinciding with the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which Azerbaijan will host in November. Our country’s hosting such a prestigious event is an indication of the great respect and trust in Azerbaijan as well as the contribution of our country to the prevention of climate change at all levels,” President Aliyev said.

He expressed optimism that COP29 would “provide an important impetus to the strengthening of climate solidarity for a green, fair, inclusive, and sustainable world.”

The president further emphasized the forum's importance in addressing climate change-related issues from a human rights perspective. “The organization of today's event in Azerbaijan demonstrates our country's commitment both to combating climate change and to the protection of human rights,” he noted.

President Aliyev encouraged the exchange of positive experiences among the forum participants, stating, “I appreciate the partnerships between the ombudsmen of foreign countries and representatives of the national human rights institutions participating here and consider it important to step up these contacts for a systematic, smooth, and effective establishment of joint activities related to the issues of common interest that will be discussed at the Forum.”

By Khagan Isayev