The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — the world’s most important organisation in the fight against climate change, which Turkey will host for the first time — is beginning its work in Antalya.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will also take part in the summit.
Political analyst Aytan Gurbanova, speaking to Globalinfo.az, said that the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which Turkey will host for the first time, is one of the key events on the global climate agenda:
“The summit to be held in Antalya is of particular importance in terms of discussing issues such as combating climate change, energy security, climate finance and the deployment of green technologies. In the modern system of international relations, climate policy is no longer merely a matter of environmental responsibility, but also an important area where economic and geopolitical interests collide. Access to energy resources, the transfer of technologies and the distribution of financial resources have a direct impact on the strategic position of states. Therefore, the main challenge is to carry out the energy transition on fair principles, taking into account the level of economic development and the resource capacities of countries.
President Ilham Aliyev’s participation in COP31 should be assessed as a continuation of Azerbaijan’s active stance in international climate diplomacy. By hosting COP29 in 2024, Azerbaijan made an important contribution to global climate negotiations. One of the important outcomes of the Baku summit was the setting of a target of $300 billion a year in climate finance for developing countries by 2035. Now the main issue is ensuring that these commitments are backed by real financial mechanisms and that the funds are accessible to the countries that need them. It is also clearly observable that the second important priority is the implementation of the energy transition without weakening existing economic potential.
Aytan Gurbanova
The political analyst said that our country, while maintaining its position as a traditional energy exporter, is also creating new opportunities in the renewable energy sector:
“The realisation of the wind energy potential of the Caspian basin, the development of electricity transmission infrastructure and the export of green energy to European markets could expand Azerbaijan’s role in the future energy architecture. An important domestic economic dimension of this strategy is the implementation of green energy projects in Karabakh and East Zangezur. The use of alternative energy sources, the construction of modern infrastructure and the increase of energy efficiency serve the economic reintegration of those areas, the attraction of investment and the creation of new employment opportunities.
The holding of COP31 in Turkey, in turn, creates a favourable opportunity for expanding Azerbaijani-Turkish strategic partnership on the global climate agenda as well. Existing cooperation in the energy and transport sectors, as well as regional connectivity projects, could strengthen the two countries’ joint initiatives in the areas of green energy and sustainable development. Ultimately, COP31 is for Azerbaijan not only a platform for participation in international climate discussions, but also a strategic opportunity in terms of protecting national energy interests, turning renewable energy potential into economic advantage and expanding regional cooperation. Azerbaijan’s main goal is to align global climate commitments with the country’s long-term economic development and energy security priorities.”
Turan Rzayev
Globalinfo.az
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