Azerbaijan, WHO discuss joint healthcare projects PHOTO

On November 19, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Hans Kluge discussed the ongoing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the WHO, as well as Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency.

Kluge is in Azerbaijan to participate in the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Caliber.Az. 

During the meeting, the sides noted that Baku has been closely collaborating with the WHO, particularly in the joint efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The importance of initiatives proposed by Azerbaijan to strengthen global efforts against COVID-19 was highlighted, especially in supporting developing countries and ensuring their access to vaccines. The two sides emphasised the need for further cooperation within international organisations in the fields of medicine and healthcare, particularly in terms of collaboration and the exchange of experience between medical universities. 

They also highlighted the significance of joint projects being undertaken by Azerbaijan and the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the importance of developing mental health services, especially in the territories liberated from occupation. The role of healthcare in addressing the mine threat during post-conflict rehabilitation was emphasised, along with the critical importance of collaboration in this area. Bayramov informed about Azerbaijan’s COP29 presidency, the negotiations and success. 

He noted that the session's agenda was established on the first day of COP29 and informed about key decisions, including the alignment of Articles 6.4 and 6.8 of the Paris Agreement, as well as the increase in financial commitments from climate finance institutions from $75 billion to $170 billion per year.

He also highlighted the launch of the Loss and Damage Response Fund. In conclusion, Bayramov stressed that, given the direct link between climate change and health issues, Azerbaijan is fully prepared to collaborate with the WHO as part of its COP29 presidency.

COP29, which is being held at Baku Stadium from November 11-22, is Azerbaijan’s most significant international event to date and the first time the country has hosted a COP conference. The summit kicked off with the signing of the Host Country Agreement and other key documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat. One of the central goals of COP29 is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. To further this aim, the COP29 presidency has introduced 14 key initiatives designed to integrate climate action with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

These initiatives cover a broad spectrum of critical areas, including the development of green energy corridors, energy storage solutions, climate resilience strategies, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the promotion of green digital technologies. A flagship proposal of the conference is the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, which is aimed at supporting efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Throughout the event, Azerbaijan has continued to reaffirm its strong commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental protection. The unanimous decision to select Azerbaijan as the host for COP29 reflects the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate-related issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev underscored Azerbaijan’s central role in global climate efforts, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Naila Huseynova