Azerbaijan pushes for water security agenda at international climate talks

 Azerbaijan is intensifying its efforts to promote efficient water use and enhance water security, Foreign Ministry's Climate Diplomacy Department head Elchin Allahverdiyev said. 

Speaking at the "Water Diplomacy: Cooperation Across Borders" panel during the 2nd International Water Exhibition and Conference – Baku Water Week, he highlighted Azerbaijan’s historic steps in integrating water issues into international climate discussions, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"It is very unfortunate that, despite that water is one of the main areas affected by climate change, it was not included in any COP agenda. We expect that after COP29, water issues will be included in the agenda of all subsequent COPs," he noted. 

Allahverdiyev underlined that Azerbaijan has prepared a declaration on water for the first time in the history of COP and established the Baku Water Dialogue platform. He also referenced the 62nd session of the UN Subsidiary Bodies on Climate Change, held in Bonn this summer, recalling that the first informal meeting of the Baku Water Dialogue took place within this framework.

"Many parties have expressed significant interest in supporting this initiative. Even our Brazilian partners have expressed their readiness to jointly hold another meeting of the Baku Water Dialogue in Berlin within the COP30. In addition, the Baku Roadmap on Adaptation has been prepared, which should be implemented at COP30," he added.

By Sabina Mammadli