Azerbaijan welcomes the world to Baku for COP29 on its 106th independence anniversary

On its 106th birthday, Azerbaijan welcomes the world to Baku for COP29, writes Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to the UK, Elin Suleymanov, Diplomat magazine reports.

Promoting peace in the region, driving global climate action, encouraging intercultural dialogue, and much more are all on Azerbaijan's agenda for its 106th anniversary of independence.

On 28 May 1918, the first parliamentary democracy in the Muslim world, the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic (ADR), was founded. In a short period, state-building efforts were put in place, democratic institutions were established, and women were granted the right to vote before most Western democracies. Although the ADR fell to Bolshevik invasion after only 23 months, it laid a solid foundation for future independence by strengthening sentiments of freedom, independence, and democratic traditions.

The Republic of Azerbaijan, as ADR’s legal successor, has proudly built on this foundation. Today, Azerbaijan is a responsible member of the international community, contributing to international peace and security and promoting the values of multilateralism through various endeavors, including its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2012-13) and its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (2019-23).

On its 106th birthday, Azerbaijan is preparing to welcome the world to Baku for global climate negotiations – COP29 in November this year, an important milestone for the entire region.

COP29 will be a force for good, connecting North, South, East, and West, and mobilizing the international community to keep the 1.5°C target within reach. Azerbaijan is committed to enabling global conversation and bridging differences using its unique experience leading the Non-Aligned Movement, the second-largest grouping in the world.

The COP29 Presidency plan will advance on two mutually reinforcing pillars: enhancing ambition and enabling action, which includes securing the necessary finance to deliver global climate action. Azerbaijan leads by example, embedding climate action and sustainability into its national development plans.

The Azerbaijani president has declared 2024 as the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” to foster momentum on climate action at the national level and beyond. As a regional leader in the green energy transition, Azerbaijan aims to transform its Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur Economic Zones, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, into net-zero emission zones by 2050.

Today, Azerbaijan and Armenia are closer to peace than ever before. After 30 years of bitter conflict, it is time to turn the page of confrontation in our region and work towards lasting peace. Azerbaijan and Armenia continue to make surprising progress towards normalization.

Bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom grow stronger each day, with both nations as close and reliable partners. Azerbaijan is grateful to the UK for its readiness to support and share its rich expertise for COP29. My country is ready to work with all partners, including the UK, in mutually reinforcing climate action and delivering a successful COP summit later this year.