2024-04-16 15:19:18
In connection with the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan, the first press conference was organized on April 15 at the COP29 headquarters.
As Day.Az reported on Monday with reference to Trend, the event was attended by COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 Chief Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29 Chief Executive Officer Elnur Soltanov, Chairman of the Board of the COP29 Operational Company Narmin Dzharchalova, UN high-level climate leader at COP29 Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 youth climate champion Leila Hasanova.
Speaking about preparations for the conference, Mukhtar Babayev noted that holding COP29 in the country is a manifestation of the international community’s trust in the national and international policies pursued under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, as well as in Azerbaijan’s efforts to contribute to solving the problem of climate change. Stressing that Azerbaijan assumed the chairmanship of COP29 with the unanimous support of the countries of the world, M. Babayev said that as part of its chairmanship at the conference, Azerbaijan will demonstrate continuous activity in strengthening global solidarity on climate change issues.
Noting that the green transition is among Azerbaijan’s national priorities, M. Babayev also said that the country has joined the Global Methane Commitment initiative, which provides for the voluntary acceptance by states of a commitment to reduce methane emissions into the environment. According to him, the goal is to bring the share of renewable energy sources in the estimated electricity capacity to 30 percent by 2030. In addition, Azerbaijan aims to reduce thermal gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 and 40 percent by 2050 compared to the 1990 baseline.
“Today Azerbaijan, as a part of the world, is faced with the consequences of climate change,” Babayev said, highlighting problems such as declining water levels in rivers and the Caspian Sea, and desertification.
The meeting with the media also touched upon the agenda of negotiations on the expected outcome documents of COP29.
The head of the negotiating team and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev, said that Azerbaijan, within the framework of the mandate for COP29, approaches the negotiation process with all participating parties from the point of view of transparency, inclusiveness and neutrality. “The main topics of the COP29 negotiations, including climate finance, are being discussed in detail with all parties. Active work is underway on possible solutions for the successful completion of the negotiations,” Ya. Rafiev noted.
COP29 Director General Elnur Soltanov noted that this event will become a platform for broad discussion and action to accelerate the transition to green energy, and expressed confidence that new opportunities will arise in terms of fulfilling Azerbaijan’s obligations in this direction.
“The role of Azerbaijan will not be limited only to the mandate of the host of the event, and our country will also lead the negotiations at the conference. In this sense, Baku will be in the center of attention of the whole world in November,” E. Soltanov noted.
Chairman of the Board of the COP29 Operating Company, Chief Executive Officer for Operations Narmin Dzharchalova, in turn, noted that although various international events have previously been held in Azerbaijan, COP29 will be the largest event in terms of the number of participants and scale. The Baku Olympic Stadium was chosen as the venue for the event.
“The decision on the location of COP29 was made after consultation with the UN and taking into account the experience of previous COP events. During the large-scale events held so far at this site, the efficient use and sustainability of the infrastructure has been fully ensured. The blue and green zones that will be organized on the territory of the stadium during the COP29, are being prepared in coordination with the organizing team. Structures will be installed around the stadium to allow all plenary sessions of the conference to be organized in a single space,” noted N. Dzharchalova.
The press conference also clarified the issue of hotels that will host guests, and it was emphasized that all accommodation options will soon be presented on a single international platform.
Speaking about the participation of civil society and the private sector at COP29, UN High-Level Climate Leader at COP29 Nigar Arpadarai stressed the importance of including them in discussions and important decisions.
COP29 Youth Climate Champion Leila Hasanova said that youth-related activities occupied an important place at the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and also emphasized the importance of existing practices and global projects in this area. She told the press about the expansion of such areas as youth development and exchange of experience, events that will be aimed at ensuring the participation of youth in global processes.
The COP29 logo was presented to the public at a press conference. Reflecting the multifaceted initiatives of the COP29 Presidency, the logo combines buta, leaf and water drop symbols as a reference to environmental sensitivity in the context of the importance of natural resources and Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage.
The buta motif, which has its roots in the historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan, symbolizes not only sustainability and innovation, but also a bridge between the past and the future, as well as five different elements – flora and fauna, air and wind, water, energy and the universe. The logo reflects the importance of a continuous connection between humanity and the environment, an environmentally sensitive approach and results-oriented actions in an era of increasing climate challenges.
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