Presidential aide: Armenia chooses anti-Azerbaijani propaganda over COP29 participation

Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, expressed disappointment over Armenia's decision to skip COP29. 

Speaking with journalists during the event, Hajiyev clarified that Azerbaijan, as a member of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, had extended invitations to all parties, including Armenia, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

Despite these efforts, Armenia opted not to participate in the conference.

"Although Armenia has registered, there is still no information regarding the participation of its representatives. The Armenian side has chosen not to participate in the event, yet continues to talk about regional cooperation and interstate relations. This once again highlights that Armenia uses such occasions for one-sided propaganda. Armenia received an invitation and had the opportunity to attend the conference. Ultimately, it was their decision. I want to emphasize once again that Azerbaijan, as a member of the convention, fully met its obligations and created the necessary conditions for fruitful discussions for all states. However, instead of engaging in the conference, Armenia and its allies are actively involved in anti-Azerbaijani propaganda," stated Hikmet Hajiyev.

COP29, being held in Baku, has attracted over 70,000 participants, with more than 60,000 of them being foreign guests. In addition, more than 3,000 representatives from foreign media outlets have registered to cover the event, according to Hajiyev.

The event kicked off on November 11, and today, November 12, marks the beginning of the highly anticipated World Leaders Summit on Climate Action. This summit, taking place during COP29, is expected to gather around 80 heads of state and government to discuss climate action strategies and commitments.

COP29 is considered one of the largest and most prestigious climate conferences in the world. This year’s event in Baku, which will run until November 22, is the first time COP is being held in Azerbaijan. The country has signed a Host Country Agreement and other key documents with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, cementing its role as a leader in climate change discussions.

The main goal of COP29 is to achieve an agreement on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) regarding climate finance. In addition, the conference's presidency has launched 14 initiatives, which address key areas linking climate action to the Sustainable Development Goals. These include topics such as green energy corridors, green energy storage, climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, and green digital technologies. Another significant initiative is the establishment of a Climate Finance Action Fund, aimed at supporting the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and meet the 1.5°C climate pledge.

Azerbaijan has long prioritized environmental protection and climate change mitigation. The country’s election as the host nation for COP29 reflects the international community's respect and trust in Azerbaijan's efforts. As President Ilham Aliyev stated, this recognition is a clear indicator of global confidence in Azerbaijan’s commitment to combating climate change.

By Tamilla Hasanova