One of the global problems that worries the world today is climate change and Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the protection of the environment and the prevention of negative manifestations of climate change, says a statement released by Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Dushanbe.

Agriculture, water resources, energy, forest, tourism, healthcare sector, and coastal zones are sensitive to climate change in Azerbaijan. In order to increase attention and strengthen international solidarity in addressing this problem, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev signed a decree declaring 2024 as the “Green World Solidarity Year”.   

The decree underscores Azerbaijan’s role as a reliable and responsible member of the international community, actively contributing to the fight against the consequences of climate change. Emphasizing one of Azerbaijan's five national priorities for socio-economic development until 2030, articulated as the "Country of Clean Environment and Green Growth," the decree outlines ongoing initiatives to enhance environmental conditions, rehabilitate and expand green spaces, and ensure the efficient utilization of water resources and sustainable energy alternatives.

This decree once again proves that Azerbaijan is among the first countries to join global initiatives, Azerbaijan’s Embassy says, noting that on the other hand, the declaration of 2024 as "Green World Solidarity Year" indicates that Azerbaijan will expand its activities in this field throughout the year and that the work to be done in the direction of environmental protection will be significantly intensified.

The planting of millions of trees, the construction of new parks in Azerbaijan within the framework of the “"Year of Ecology", which was declared in 2010, and in subsequent years, at the same time the participation of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and the First Vice-President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mehriban Aliyeva in these companies is an indication of special attention to environmental protection. Environmental protection, people living in a healthy natural environment and using natural resources to improve the welfare of Azerbaijan people is one of the components of the socio-economic reforms carried out in Azerbaijan,” the statement says.

In addition to this, in the following years, various measures aimed at solving environmental problems were implemented on a large scale.  Azerbaijan is reportedly the only country among the Caspian littoral countries that implements comprehensive measures to clean the sea and its water basin and coasts from pollution.

"Let's Plant a Tree" project of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has also made great contributions to protect ecology and the environment.  Within the framework of the project implemented at the initiative of the Foundation's President Mehriban Aliyeva, hundreds of hectares of land in Azerbaijan were reportedly greened. The initiative of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva to plant 650 thousand trees in one day on the occasion of the 650th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Imadeddin Nasimi is a clear example of the sustainability of the work done to improve the environment, which held in Azerbaijan, in November 2019, says the statement.

Karabakh and East Zangezur, as well as the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, have been declared green energy zones.  Innovative approaches such as "smart city" and "smart village" are implemented in these areas, contributing to ecosystem restoration.   

“Upon ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1995 and the Kyoto Protocol of the Convention in 2000, the Republic of Azerbaijan has actively joined international efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of global climate change.

The unanimous decision to host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Azerbaijan in November 2024, reflects the international community's profound respect and trust in Azerbaijan, recognizing the nation's endeavors in environmental protection and addressing climate change on national, regional, and global scales.

The ultimate objective of the conference under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system in a time frame that allows ecosystems to adapt naturally and enables sustainable development.  This would be done through the use of sustainable agriculture, environmentally friendly transport, smart cities, smart villages, and reforestation.

Azerbaijan prioritizes the creation of green energy sources, with a goal for renewable energy to constitute 30 per cent of its electricity-generating capacity by 2030.  This target reflects Azerbaijan's ambitious climate goals and its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Azerbaijan has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 35 percent reduction by 2030 and a 40 per cent reduction by 2050.

The region's largest renewable energy plant was put into operation in Azerbaijan last year – a 230-megawatt solar power plant has already been fully integrated into Azerbaijan's energy system.  Based on the signed agreements and memorandums of understanding, 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy will be created in Azerbaijan in the next few years and Azerbaijan will become one of the world leaders in this field. Of course, the fact that COP29, an international conference on climate change will be held in Baku is further evidence of Azerbaijan successes in this field.

The state of Azerbaijan is taking all necessary measures to organize this prestigious session at a high level and to conclude it with successful results for humanity.