Azerbaijani diplomat spotlights COP29 climate goals in Swedish, Danish media

Swedish and Danish publications of Altinget have featured articles written by Zaur Ahmadov, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, discussing the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) and Azerbaijan's initiatives as the presiding country.

Ambassador Ahmadov highlighted that hosting COP29 in Baku represents a significant milestone for Azerbaijan, as well as recent regional achievements, including efforts to normalize relations with Armenia — which supported Azerbaijan’s bid to host the event, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Despite concerns that geopolitical tensions may detract from climate goals, Azerbaijan remains committed to advancing the objectives of the Paris Agreement through concrete actions.

Ahmadov underscored Azerbaijan's focus on promoting inclusive climate governance, ensuring that all stakeholders, including indigenous peoples, youth, and civil society, have a voice. One of the key priorities he mentioned is the establishment of a New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, replacing the outdated $100 billion target. This new goal will align financial resources with the urgent needs posed by the climate crisis, particularly for developing nations. He also stressed the importance of operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund to address the needs of the most vulnerable communities affected by climate change.

Additionally, the ambassador outlined several of Azerbaijan's key initiatives as COP29 chair. These include calling for a ceasefire during the conference, forming a COP Climate Troika to enhance coordination, and establishing a Climate Finance Action Fund to mobilize financial support.

“Modern Azerbaijan is undergoing a significant green transition,” Ahmadov wrote, “with a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. A central part of this strategy is the plan to export green electricity to Europe via a cable under the Black Sea, helping to meet Europe’s growing demand for clean energy.”

Ahmadov’s articles reflect Azerbaijan's commitment to driving effective climate action and contributing to global sustainability efforts during its COP29 presidency.

By Tamilla Hasanova