Turning the Tide: Azerbaijan’s Green Energy Vision and Global Collaboration at COP29

Baku, November 12, 2024 – During COP29, currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was able to attend and speak publicly about the ongoing climate debate, as well as the goals of the conference and future plans.

Aliyev began by expressing his honor and gratitude for hosting the event in Azerbaijan.

On Azerbaijan's green agenda, President Aliyev said the country's technical potential for renewable energy is about 135 gigawatts onshore and 157 gigawatts offshore. He also stressed that an agreement with the British company BP to build a large solar power plant in the Jabrayil district is expected to be signed during COP29. Aliyev also emphasized that a significant number of solar, hydroelectric and wind power plants are planned to be built by 2030, which would total 6 gigawatts, adding that protocols and contracts have been signed to implement renewable energy projects, including the Black Sea-Caspian energy cable, which would allow "exporting green energy to Europe". The president went on to say that ¼ of Azerbaijan's territory would be a green energy zone, adding that the historical development of Azerbaijan's energy sector. In this regard, Aliyev said that while it is true that the country used to be a major oil producer - he points out that in the 19th century the country produced more than half of the world's oil - it is no longer correct to associate Azerbaijan with a "petrol state", as the country is responsible for producing 0.7% of the world's oil and 0.9% of its gas.

Aliyev's speech could not fail to include remarks about the activities of members of civil society and NGOs, stating that there have been coordinated, "well-orchestrated campaigns of slander and blackmail" against the country, carried out by Western politicians and NGOs, who, according to the president, have also spread false news about Azerbaijan. Aliyev also said that a country should be judged by criteria related to its poverty rate, unemployment rate or climate agenda, rather than its natural resources.

Another point that Aliyev wanted to emphasize was the need to be realistic in order to implement the much-discussed energy transition, mentioning that the strategic partnership with the European Commission in this regard was an initiative of the Commission itself to help Europe in terms of energy security. In conclusion, Mr. Aliyev said that in spite of those who for almost a year opposed the holding of COP29 in Azerbaijan, the event was attended by 72,000 people from nearly 200 countries.

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https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2024/11/12-13/