Azerbaijani deputy FM mulls COP, climate change, energy in Paris meetings Photo

Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Yalchin Rafiyev paid a visit to Paris from April 30 to May 1 to participate in a high-level open session titled “COP31-IEA: High-Level Energy Transition” at the invitation of Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.

Rafiyev spoke about initiatives launched during COP29 in the energy sector, preparations for COP31, and global challenges linked to climate change, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Separately, a business event was held on the initiative of Azerbaijan’s Permanent Mission to UNESCO to mark April 25, the International Day of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Rafiyev expressed satisfaction with relations between Azerbaijan and SIDS countries, noting that, on the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, Baku places special emphasis on small island developing states and provides ongoing support.

He said Azerbaijan is ready to provide political and technical assistance for the inclusion of SIDS cultural heritage in UNESCO lists as a new area of cooperation.

Representatives of SIDS countries at UNESCO highlighted the threat posed by climate change to their cultural heritage and welcomed Azerbaijan’s initiative.

The participants agreed to develop and implement a joint programme involving Azerbaijan, UNESCO, and the SIDS group of 39 countries.

During the visit, Rafiyev also met with representatives of the Turkish COP31 presidency to discuss preparations for the conference scheduled to be held in Antalya.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov