Cooperation is needed to speed green development and save the planet

First, we are proud that Azerbaijan has been chosen to host the COP29 UN climate change conference, and we understand the great responsibility that comes with it.

One of the most serious problems affecting the living world is climate change. The causes of climate change include natural factors such as astrophysical, geophysical and physical processes that periodically occur in the sun, changes that occur during the Earth’s movement around the sun, the swaying of the north and south poles, volcanic eruptions, and human impacts on nature.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, 80-85 percent of natural disasters occurring in the world are associated with abnormal hydrometeorological phenomena caused by climate change.

Azerbaijan has joined the fight against global climate change by joining the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan was made on Dec. 11 at the COP28 plenary session hosted by the UAE. The adoption of this decision once again shows that the efforts of Azerbaijan in combating climate change, despite being known as an oil and gas country, are highly appreciated.

In short, Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29, one of the largest events in the world, is another victory for President Ilham Aliyev. At the same time, it is a strong response to those that have been waging an ugly campaign against Azerbaijan recently.

The time we had to prepare for COP29 is very limited. In previous cases, the host countries started their preparations more than a year before the conference. But in our case, the decision to host the conference was made very late, which left us less than a year to prepare.

Since the decision to host the conference, we have formed our team and started our outreach activities. So far, our appointed COP President Mukhtar Babayev, lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev and other team members have visited many countries and attended a number of international events.

We all know that the climate change that we have witnessed in recent years has a negative impact on every country, including people’s lives

Shahin Abdullayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

It should be noted that, in addition to Azerbaijan, Armenia and Bulgaria also put forward their candidacy to host COP29. As a result of direct negotiations between the administration of the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the office of the prime minister of Armenia, it was announced in a joint statement on Dec. 7 last year that Armenia withdrew its candidacy in favor of Azerbaijan. Later, Bulgaria also took the same step regarding its candidacy.

2024 was declared the “Year of Solidarity for a Green World” in Azerbaijan. Our country has developed a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030, and by 40 percent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. After being liberated from occupation, Karabakh and East Zangazur, as well as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, were declared green energy zones. The creation of green energy types in these regions and the transfer of green energy to other countries of the world is the priority of Azerbaijan’s targeted energy policy.

We all know that the climate change that we have witnessed in recent years has a negative impact on every country, including people’s lives. In accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement, global warming must remain at or below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as it was before industrialization, to mitigate these impacts.

The COP measures are intended to achieve progress in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The target is to bring all parties together under this initiative to take substantial, flexible and sustainable actions to reduce emissions to keep global warming under control; and the increase in temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius. To achieve this target, the Paris Climate Agreement requires countries to submit their national contributions. Within the framework of these contributions, countries prepare plans to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency, switch to renewable energy sources, and take other relevant measures. Countries must update these plans every five years and take the necessary steps to adapt to climate change.

According to research from the Global Commission on Adaptation, efforts to combat climate change are capable of attracting $7.1 trillion worth of investment. This will not only prevent future costs from rising but will also stimulate innovation and provide many additional social benefits. Therefore, all countries need to take urgent and coordinated action to achieve the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal. This is not only essential to avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate change, but can also bring significant social and economic benefits in the long term.

On Dec. 15, 2023, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on holding COP29 in this country. President Ilham Aliyev said: “Our country has achieved another great success, and the international conference COP29 will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. All countries of the world have accepted this decision, which means great trust and respect for Azerbaijan has been shown once again.”

We deserve it, and as a result of our policy, we have gained very strong positions at the global level. Respect for Azerbaijan in the international world is growing day by day, and we have earned this respect with our actions, work and policies. Our independent policy, principled position, commitment to international law, loyalty and, at the same time, restoration of sovereignty over the country’s territory have increased respect for us. The significance of this event is that the entire international community has expressed its support for Azerbaijan.

This is not the first time. We have successfully chaired the Non-Aligned Movement for four years, and here too our chairmanship was made possible thanks to the support of 120 countries, and our chairmanship was even extended for one year. This was already a great indicator; 120 countries of the world expressed their support for Azerbaijan. This time, all countries of the world showed this support.

We have no doubt that we will hold the international conference COP29 at the highest level, and it will be the next great success for our country and our people. At the same time, Azerbaijan will show itself in this area as an oil and gas country, and everyone in the world will once again see that our agenda is connected with green energy. The creation of green energy types and the transfer of green energy to world markets are currently a priority of our energy policy. This is the reality and the whole world will see it again.

Hosting COP29 can be considered the most important event of 2024 for Azerbaijan and a logical continuation of the country’s strategy for transition to a green economy. In accordance with this mission, 2024 was declared the “Year of Solidarity for the Green World” in Azerbaijan by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the technical potential of renewable energy sources in our country is 135 GW on land and reaches 157 GW at sea. The economic potential of renewable energy sources is 27 GW, including 3GW of wind energy, 23GW of solar energy, and 380 MW of bioenergy.

The potential of mountain rivers is estimated at 520MW. By the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev on Feb. 2, 2021, “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities of Socio-Economic Development,” the strategic foundation for the country’s renewable energy production policy was laid. This foundation sets new plans for the transition to a green economy. The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan is closely cooperating with ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia and Masdar from the UAE on the implementation of several pioneering projects in renewable energy.

On Jan. 13, 2022, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Khizi-Absheron windpower plant was held at the Golestan Palace with ACWA Power. On March 15, 2022, four memoranda of understanding were signed with Masdar as part of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Qardagh solar power plant in Baku. At the same time, the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan declared the liberated territories of our country as “green energy” zones, and the action plan for 2022-2026 was approved. It is planned to transform these areas into “net-zero emissions” zones by 2050.

COP29 will benefit from the momentum gained by COP28 in Dubai. We will strengthen our collective cause in Baku and, in the process, we will prepare Belem COP30 for success. It is now our duty to help guide the international community toward a climate-focused future that is characterized by justice and sustainability.

One of the most important topics we will address at COP29 is finance. We will strive to mobilize the necessary financing for climate-change mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage reduction. This will require a joint effort by all stakeholders, including countries, international organizations, international financial institutions and the private sector.

Achieving our hopes requires the combined efforts of all members of the international community, in cooperation with the UN. The consensus at COP28 was reached through inclusive dialogue, crucial negotiations and a commitment to pluralism. The key to achieving consensus is only through a climate that allows all voices to be heard and respected, regardless of geographical location, space or economic status.

In conclusion, we would like to mention that the COP is one of the most important events in the world in the fight against climate change. The choice of Azerbaijan to host this event by a unanimous decision of the countries of the Eastern European Group demonstrates the high confidence in our country. Azerbaijan has already gained a sufficiently positive image in hosting international events.

The decision to hold the event in Azerbaijan is also important because it was taken two and a half months after the domestic anti-terrorist measures in Azerbaijan. This shows the support of the international community for the steps taken by Azerbaijan. This event will demonstrate to the world how Azerbaijan sees the green economy as a priority area, in addition to being an oil and gas country. Holding this event in Baku will give a great impetus to increasing Azerbaijan’s reputation and conveying the country’s reality directly and easily to the international community.

• Shahin Abdullayev is the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia