The first press conference ahead of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), to be held in Azerbaijan, took place on April 15 at the COP29 headquarters in Baku White City Office Building 2020.
Speakers included COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 Chief Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29 Chief Executive Officer Elnur Soltanov, Chair of the COP29 Operating Company Narmin Jarchalova, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Nigar Arpadarai, and COP29 Youth Climate Champion Leyla Hasanova.
Speaking about preparations for the conference, Mukhtar Babayev noted that Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 reflected the international community’s confidence in the domestic and international policies pursued under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, as well as Azerbaijan’s efforts to contribute to addressing climate change. Emphasising that Azerbaijan had assumed the COP29 Presidency with the unanimous support of countries worldwide, Babayev said that throughout its Presidency, Azerbaijan would work consistently to strengthen global solidarity on climate change.
Noting that the green transition is among Azerbaijan’s national priorities, Babayev also stated that the country had joined the Global Methane Pledge, under which participating countries voluntarily commit to reducing methane emissions. He said Azerbaijan had set a target of increasing the share of renewable energy sources in its installed electricity generation capacity to 30 per cent by 2030. Azerbaijan also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent by 2030 and by 40 per cent by 2050 compared with the 1990 baseline.
“Today, Azerbaijan, like the rest of the world, faces the consequences of climate change,” Babayev said, highlighting challenges such as declining water levels in rivers and the Caspian Sea, as well as desertification.
Yalchin Rafiyev, head of the negotiating team and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, stated that, within its mandate to host COP29, Azerbaijan was approaching negotiations with all participating parties in a spirit of transparency, inclusivity and neutrality.
COP29 Chief Executive Officer Elnur Soltanov noted that the event would provide a platform for extensive discussions and action to accelerate the transition to green energy. He expressed confidence that it would create new opportunities for Azerbaijan to fulfil its commitments in this area.
Narmin Jarchalova, Chair of the COP29 Operating Company and Chief Operating Officer, noted that although Azerbaijan had previously hosted various international events, COP29 would be the largest in terms of attendance and scale. Baku Olympic Stadium had been selected as the venue.
Speaking about the participation of civil society and private sector representatives in COP29, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Nigar Arpadarai emphasised the importance of involving them in discussions and key decision-making.
COP29 Youth Climate Champion Leyla Hasanova said that youth-related activities hold an important place at the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. She also highlighted the significance of existing practices and global projects in this field.
The COP29 logo was unveiled to the public at the press conference. Reflecting the COP29 Presidency’s multifaceted initiatives, the logo combines the symbols of the buta, a leaf and water droplets, referencing environmental awareness, the importance of natural resources and Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage.
Rooted in Azerbaijan’s historical and cultural heritage, the buta motif symbolises sustainability and innovation, a bridge between the past and the future, and five distinct elements: flora and fauna, air and wind, water, energy and the universe. The logo reflects the importance of the enduring connection between humanity and the environment, an environmentally conscious approach and results-oriented action in an era of growing climate challenges.
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