2024-08-06 05:34:05
The website of The National News of the United Arab Emirates published an article about Azerbaijan’s preparations for hosting the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in November of this year.
As reported by Day.Az, the article by the participant of the 2nd Shusha Global Media Forum John Denneh presents the opinions expressed by President Ilham Aliyev while answering journalists’ questions at the opening ceremony of the forum.
The article notes that Azerbaijan will once again play the role of a bridge between different regions of the world by hosting COP29 in November this year. Emphasizing the words of the President of Azerbaijan, “This is a unique opportunity for us, that we are entering the major league,” the author drew attention to the fact that President Ilham Aliyev is building bridges between the Global South and the Global North.
The article tells in detail about the history of the oil industry of Azerbaijan, it is emphasized that the first oil well in the world was drilled in our country by industrial means, Baku at one time provided half of the world’s need for oil. It is noted that this is why Azerbaijan has been called the “Land of Fire” since ancient times.
The author highlighted that the country with rich fossil fuel resources is currently preparing to host a prestigious event such as COP29, where climate change issues will be discussed. In about three months, representatives of almost 200 countries will gather in Baku and try to solve the problem of climate change. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan is particularly sensitive to the problems of countries suffering from climate change, and President Ilham Aliyev’s statements that there are still uncertainties in the issue of climate change, in particular, the biased position of the West on this issue, were brought to attention: “On the one hand, Europe asks us to increase production and transport gas to Europe, because it seriously needs it. On the other hand, they do not finance it… So we must be crazy to invest billions in something they will not need, and then they look us in the eye and say: “Where is our gas?” So my message is: stop this game, you know that it is impossible to live without fossil fuels.”
The article talks in detail about the development of renewable energy in Azerbaijan, the projects implemented by our country in this area, and especially emphasizes the words of the head of our state that Azerbaijan has achieved great success in the field of renewable energy. It is noted that last year, the Garadag solar power plant with a capacity of 230 megawatts, built by Masdar of the United Arab Emirates, was put into operation. Masdar’s manager for Azerbaijan Murad Sadigov said that Azerbaijan, a leading oil producing country, intends to be at the forefront in the field of green energy: “If the world changes, Azerbaijan should also become one of the leaders. The air in Baku is much cleaner than before. The government is constantly carrying out these works.”
The author emphasized that the financial issue will be the focus of the climate negotiations at COP29, which will be held in Azerbaijan: “The success of COP29 in Baku will be linked to the solution of a responsible task related to finance. At this event, first of all, the financing of the process of abandoning fossil fuels will be discussed. The world must reach agreement on a new financial commitment of $ 100 billion per year for developing countries.”
The article quotes COP29 President-designate Mukhtar Babayev’s opinion on the conduct of negotiations on this important issue: “We are currently at the negotiation stage. All countries are aware of the new goals and must be more ambitious.”
The article mentions that Azerbaijan invited Armenia to COP29 amid a peace process aimed at ending the decades-long conflict. The journalist cited the opinion of Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration: “Azerbaijan has turned the page on the Karabakh conflict. We are combining the concept of peace and COP29.”
It was noted that COP29 will be held at the Baku Olympic Stadium. Currently, extensive preparatory work for COP29 is underway at this arena. COP29 CEO, Deputy Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan Elnur Soltanov informed about the zones being created. According to him, Azerbaijan has extensive logistical capabilities and a high level of hospitality to host this event.
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