Azerbaijan's COP29 to feature "Day of Urbanisation, Tourism and Transport" soon

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has announced that "Day of Urbanisation, Tourism, and Transport" will be held as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) on November 20.

A roundtable will be held with ministers to discuss "Green Urban Transport" focusing on the development of sustainable transport infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and integrating these issues into national policy, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Eco-conscious cities view electric buses as a crucial step in combating air pollution. The Zigh Electric Bus Depot, featuring 160 modern electric buses from 2024, each with a 15-year service life and a capacity of 83 passengers has been recently commissioned in Baku. The city's taxi fleet is being renewed with 150 hybrid "LEVC TX5" vehicles, along with an increase in the import of electric cars.

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