Azerbaijan’s renewable energy vision draws international acclaim ahead of COP30

As the world prepares for the upcoming COP30 climate conference in Brazil, Azerbaijan is emerging as a notable leader in climate action, drawing international recognition for its proactive stance and ambitious initiatives.

During the opening ceremony of the second edition of Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW), Ecuador’s former Foreign Minister and President of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, lauded Azerbaijan’s efforts in combating climate change, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Speaking to a gathering of global climate advocates and policymakers, Espinosa highlighted the tangible progress achieved under the stewardship of President Ilham Aliyev.

“This work has truly yielded tangible results, and of course, all of this was made possible under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev,” Espinosa remarked.

“Yes, the climate agenda is complex and demanding, but the most important factor is the presence of strong and effective leadership. We witnessed such leadership during COP29, and we now feel it again in the preparations for COP30, which will take place in Brazil,” she added.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli emphasized the country’s determination to be an active participant in addressing the escalating global climate crisis. Speaking at the same event, Bashirli characterized climate change as an unavoidable reality demanding urgent and decisive responses.

“Azerbaijan is a reliable energy partner — both in traditional energy resources and in the field of renewable energy,” Bashirli noted. He pointed to the country’s strategic energy policies as central to its national development and international positioning. “Large-scale solar and wind projects, as well as the establishment of ‘green energy zones’ in Karabakh and East Zangezur, are transforming our country into a key player in the global energy transition.”

The Deputy Minister stressed that the timing of Baku Climate Action Week is particularly critical. “Climate change has already become inevitable across the world, temperatures are rising, and this reality demands decisive action from us. We will overcome this challenge together,” he affirmed.

By Vafa Guliyeva