Moroccan politician: Azerbaijan has leadership potential in climate change issues

Azerbaijan’s leadership potential in addressing climate change issues is significant, stated Abdelilah Idris Bouzidi, a Moroccan political figure and Chairman of the Agdal-Riyadh District Council.

“Azerbaijan holds a strategic position connecting Europe and Asia and plays an important role in the global energy market. With vast oil and gas reserves, Azerbaijan supports regional energy needs through pipelines such as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and TANAP,” he said, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The politician emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement, which calls for strengthening the legal framework to achieve emission reductions and climate adaptation.

Bouzidi underscored the need for innovative approaches in Azerbaijan’s energy sector, advocating a shift towards cleaner energy sources to meet environmental goals.

“Azerbaijan has become a leader in solar and wind energy production,” Bouzidi added. “Investment in renewable energy can diversify the economy and create new jobs. Due to its strategic location, Azerbaijan has the potential to boost regional cooperation on environmental initiatives.”

Bouzidi highlighted that, by strengthening partnerships with neighboring countries and engaging in international climate initiatives, Azerbaijan can establish itself as a reliable partner in sustainability. COP29, he stated, will be a crucial event in global climate efforts, as countries are expected to respond to the urgent climate action challenges. Bouzidi emphasized the importance of developed countries fulfilling their financial commitments to climate action.

He also noted that COP29 will prioritize the shift from conventional energy sources to renewable ones. Ongoing efforts to reduce methane emissions and other pollutants will be a critical focus, with local and community organizations playing a key role in raising awareness. Waste management, Bouzidi concluded, remains a priority, urging local authorities to take initiatives that will help reduce pollution and educate citizens on the impacts of climate change.

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will take place in Azerbaijan on November 11-22. This decision was made during the COP28 plenary session in Dubai on December 11, 2023. Baku is expected to welcome approximately 70,000 to 80,000 international attendees over the two-week event.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, aims to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP, or “Conference of the Parties,” is the highest decision-making body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the UNFCCC, which has 198 member states. Unless otherwise decided, the COP convenes annually; the first COP was held in Berlin in March 1995, with its secretariat based in Bonn.

By Khagan Isayev