UN Pledges Strong Support to Azerbaijan in Preparation for COP29

Vladanka Andreeva, the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting Azerbaijan and actively participating in efforts related to COP29 during the “29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29” event on Friday.

Andreeva mentioned that the UN intends to encourage discussions within the country on the importance of reducing climate emissions.

She also highlighted that COP29 would offer an opportunity to implement key climate actions and shared that they are developing models and strategies for this purpose.

Azerbaijan, scheduled to host COP29 in November this year, received confirmation of its host status at the COP28 plenary session on December 11, 2023, following collective support from other Eastern European countries.

The country has reaffirmed its commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 and further to 40 percent by 2050. Signing the Paris Agreement in April 2016, Azerbaijan committed to its legally binding framework on climate change.

The Paris Agreement sets long-term goals to guide nations in significantly reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aspiration to limit it to 1.5°C. Moreover, it calls for regular assessments of progress and provides for financial assistance to developing countries for climate change mitigation, resilience enhancement, and adaptation.

Transitioning from conventional to alternative energy sources is a top priority for the Azerbaijani government, with renewables expected to contribute 30 percent of the country’s electricity generation by 2030. Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential is estimated at 37,000 MW, with 10,000 MW identified after the country’s Karabakh (Garabagh) and East Zangazur regions were liberated from Armenian occupation in 2020.

President Ilham Aliyev recently announced plans to accelerate the transition to green energy in Azerbaijan.

Wind power holds the largest share of Azerbaijan’s renewable energy potential at 59.2 percent, followed by solar power with a capacity of 8,000 MW. Additionally, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower (excluding large hydropower stations) are considered promising renewables, with capacities of 900 MW, 800 MW, and 650 MW, respectively.

Furthermore, the Azerbaijani government plans to convert the liberated Karabakh (Garabagh) and East Zangazur regions into a “Net-Zero Emission” Zone as a priority within ongoing reconstruction and development projects. This initiative is coupled with a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2030 and further to 40 percent by 2050. The green energy potential of these territories encompasses nearly all types of renewable energy sources, including hydro, solar, wind, and geothermal.

Moreover, the Caspian Sea sector of Azerbaijan boasts a renewable energy potential of 157 GW.