Azerbaijani president, US delegates discuss strengthening green energy ties at COP29

On November 17, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with a US delegation led by August Pfluger, a member of the US House of Representatives, to discuss the deepening ties between the two countries, particularly in the fields of energy and climate change.

During the meeting, President Aliyev emphasized the success of COP29, which focused on climate finance, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azertag.

He highlighted the progress made on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, noting that after more than a decade of negotiations, significant strides were achieved on the first day of the conference. Aliyev pointed out that COP29 was dedicated to defining a new climate finance target, a critical issue for the international community.

The US delegation praised Azerbaijan’s role in successfully hosting COP29 and expressed appreciation for the country's leadership in global climate initiatives. The discussion also covered the ongoing US-Azerbaijan cooperation, including Azerbaijan’s green transition strategy and the development of the nation’s energy sector since its independence.

Aliyev reflected on the historical partnership between Azerbaijan and the US, particularly citing the “Contract of the Century” signed in 1994. He acknowledged the US government’s support for the project, which he said had been pivotal in ensuring the energy security of both the US and its allies.

On Azerbaijan’s green energy strategy, the president revealed that the country aims to have 30% of its energy mix derived from renewable sources by 2027. He also underscored Azerbaijan’s growing renewable energy capacity, especially in wind and hydropower sectors. Aliyev noted that the country is working with regional partners, including Georgia, Romania, Hungary, and Central Asia, to develop energy infrastructure projects such as the Black Sea submarine electricity cable and a green energy corridor connecting the Caspian and Black Sea basins.

The potential for US-Azerbaijan collaboration in renewable energy was a central theme of the discussions, with both sides highlighting significant prospects for future cooperation. President Aliyev also outlined Azerbaijan’s ability to export up to 4 gigawatts of renewable energy to the European Union in the near future, responding to the growing energy demand in the region.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the mutual commitment to enhancing US-Azerbaijan relations, particularly in the realm of energy security and sustainable development.President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan was committed to the regional peace agenda, noting that it was Azerbaijan that initiated the signing of the peace agreement.

Stating that Azerbaijan was subjected to occupation and military aggression from Armenia for thirty years, the President said that Azerbaijan had now restored its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He said the conflict was already consigned to history for Azerbaijan.

The president of Azerbaijan stressed that Armenia's policy of militarization and arms race were a threat to regional peace and security. He said it was important that the territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the Armenian Constitution should be abandoned for the peace treaty to be signed. He said Armenia must not have territorial claims against Azerbaijan on a constitutional basis.

During the conversation, they exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Discussions at the meeting also revolved around stepping up the dialogue between the US Congress and Azerbaijan, increasing reciprocal visits, prospects for the development of cooperation and partnership between Azerbaijan and the US in various fields.

By Khagan Isayev