The 5th dialogue on the Sustainable Development Goals “Echoes of the Future: Coordination of efforts aimed at combating climate change and global goals” took place at ADA University.
As Day.Az reports with reference to Trend, the dialogue was organized by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the United Nations (UN) office in our country.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Chief Negotiator of COP29 Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Samed Bashirli, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Family, Women and Children Issues Bahar Muradova, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on natural resources, energy and ecology Sadig Gurbanov, vice-rector of ADA University, deputy of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan Fariz Ismailzade.
As Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and chief negotiator of COP29 Yalchin Rafiyev said, about 60 statements and decisions are expected to be adopted in Baku within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).
He noted that there are only a few days left before the significant event COP29, which will be held in the capital of Azerbaijan:
“We have a very ambitious agenda. We had little time. However, we have developed the appropriate capacity thanks to political support for the commitments made. We have managed to ensure the establishment of a successful process among UN members.
We will witness this very soon. Of course, the Sustainable Development Goals and climate action are interconnected. Here we are talking not only about the 13th goal. Every goal, in one sense or another, is related to climate.
We also tried to include this issue in COP29 as part of the negotiations. We have set ourselves a fair and collective goal. At the same time, we are waiting for about 60 applications and decisions in Baku. However, as host, the Presidency also has its own initiatives that complement the negotiation agenda and are also part of climate action at the global level. Some of these initiatives are also related to the Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation,” added Y. Rafiev.
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Vladanka Andreeva recalled that a few weeks ago, the countries of the world gathered in New York to adopt a pact for the future, a global digital agreement and a declaration on future generations. These three agreements will enable the UN to adapt to today’s challenges and become even stronger in providing solutions for all.
“But let me emphasize once again that our main task is to build on the UN Charter and the values and principles of international law. Consistency is very important, and the important condition is that we must strengthen ambitions and enable action.
The event will reveal whether the world is collectively moving in the right direction to keep average global temperatures rising below 1.5 degrees. Azerbaijan will make its contribution as host of the event ahead of COP29. But we know that assumptions alone are not enough. We need to scale up implementation and increase climate finance.
Of course, climate finance will be a key theme on the COP29 agenda, including a new collective quantitative target, reducing the impact of developing countries, as well as adaptation issues. These are very important tools in terms of adaptation and mitigation, especially for developing countries,” she added.
Deputy Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chief Executive Officer of COP29 Elnur Soltanov noted that Azerbaijan has promised to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2050, but it can be noted that they will be reduced until 2035.
He said that compared to 1990, Azerbaijan’s emissions will be reduced by 35 percent by 2030 and stressed that each climate action must reflect progress arising from previous decisions.
“If we planned to reduce emissions by 40 percent by 2050, now we expect to achieve this by 2035,” noted E. Soltanov.
According to him, previously the base year of Azerbaijan was 1990, but now 2022 is taken as it.
“It also allows us to better understand the current situation and produce better reports. We estimate that in 2022 our emissions amounted to 61 million tons of carbon dioxide. Globally, this is 1 percent. Per capita emissions in Azerbaijan are lower than in Global and European average Our emissions have already fallen significantly since 1990. We have now divided the energy sector into 4 additional sub-sectors and now cover 7 sectors. Global decision-making also dictates that we must cover all sectors of the economy. The sector in terms of investment is the electricity generation sector with a share of 24 percent.
The second is houses, buildings, infrastructure. Their share ranks second in the country. The third is the oil and gas sector. The oil and gas sector accounts for about 16 percent of emissions in absolute terms. Fourth is the transport sector with 15 percent. The next place with an indicator of 14 percent is industry, with an indicator of 8 percent – waste, and with an indicator of 7 percent – the agricultural sector. In agriculture, we take pure numbers. This takes into account forest belts, cover, etc.,” added E. Soltanov.
And Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan Samad Bashirli added that a few years ago the carbon tax was not announced or was simply mentioned in specialized literature. And now this question has become relevant.
He noted that if all countries started implementing a carbon tax, we would not have the chance to behave differently.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Climate Expert
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Lina Kader, a climate expert and consultant for various international environmental organizations. Dr. Kader, thank you for joining us today.
Dr. Kader: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: We just learned about the recent 5th dialogue on Sustainable Development Goals that took place at ADA University in Baku. It focused on the urgent need for coordinated efforts to combat climate change. What are your thoughts on Azerbaijan’s role in this dialogue, especially as it prepares to host COP29?
Dr. Kader: Azerbaijan’s role as the host of COP29 is significant. Not only does it showcase the country’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, but it also highlights its ambitions to take a leadership role in addressing climate change at a global level. The dialogue you mentioned underscores the interconnectedness of the Sustainable Development Goals with climate action, which is crucial for framing discussions at COP29.
Editor: Deputy Minister Yalchin Rafiyev has mentioned that they expect to adopt around 60 statements and decisions in Baku. How do you think these will influence global climate policies?
Dr. Kader: The outcome of COP29, particularly through those 60 statements and decisions, will play a pivotal role in shaping future climate policies. The ambition to connect multiple goals beyond just climate action—like economic growth, social equity, and sustainable development—could lead to a more holistic approach in international climate agreements. It’s about fostering a collective responsibility among nations to act decisively.
Editor: Vladanka Andreeva from the UN emphasized building on trust and international laws in this process. How do you see international cooperation evolving in light of the recent global agreements mentioned?
Dr. Kader: Recent agreements, like the global digital agreement and the declaration on future generations, reflect a vital shift towards a more cohesive international effort. Cooperation is key. The challenge now lies in translating those declarations into actionable commitments that can be monitored and evaluated. It’s not just about signing documents; it’s about reinvigorating trust among nations to follow through on their pledges.
Editor: Climate finance seems to be a central theme of COP29, especially concerning challenges faced by developing countries. What do you think are the critical steps needed to ensure effective implementation of climate finance?
Dr. Kader: Effective implementation of climate finance requires transparency, accessibility, and a strong accountability framework. It’s crucial that financing mechanisms are designed to reach those who need it the most—primarily developing countries that are often the most vulnerable to climate impacts yet contribute the least to global emissions. We also need to look at innovative financing solutions, like public-private partnerships, to bolster funding for sustainable projects.
Editor: Elnur Soltanov stated that Azerbaijan plans to reduce emissions significantly by 2035. How realistic are such commitments, and what challenges might arise in achieving them?
Dr. Kader: Such commitments, while commendable, must be backed by robust policies and implementation strategies. Azerbaijan’s pledge to reduce emissions by 40% by 2050—and even sooner by 2035—will depend on several factors, including technological advancements, investment in renewable energy, and public support for climate initiatives. The transition from fossil fuels to greener alternatives is fraught with challenges, including economic implications and the necessity for a skilled workforce. However, with a strategic approach, it is achievable.
Editor: As we wrap up our discussion, what key message do you hope global leaders will take away from the upcoming COP29?
Dr. Kader: My hope is that global leaders will recognize that climate action is not merely a set of isolated targets, but a comprehensive framework that intertwines with social and economic systems. They must be willing to integrate climate risks into all areas of policy and investment, and understand that we need urgent, collective actions that will have lasting benefits, both for our planet and future generations.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kader, for sharing your insights on this urgent and vital topic. We appreciate your time and expertise.
Dr. Kader: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing these critical issues.