Azerbaijan, acknowledging the significant impact of the transportation sector on climate change, is actively contributing to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to a cleaner, more sustainable economy, said Gulnaz Javadova, Chief Advisor of the Economic Policy and Industrial Issues Department of Azerbaijan’s Presidential Administration, Report informs.
Javadova made this statement at the High-Level Roundtable titled "Green Urban Transportation" during the Ministerial Meeting Urbanization and Climate, held within the framework of COP29.
"It is a great honor to participate in COP29 today. We unite to discuss one of the most critical challenges in building a sustainable future for generations to come. Azerbaijan proudly stands at the forefront of this collective mission," she noted.
Javadova added that among the challenges Azerbaijan faces are problems requiring coordinated action, limited infrastructure, high initial costs of electric vehicles, and low public awareness about the benefits of sustainable mobility.
“The State Commission on Business Environment and International Rankings, established in 2016, has been a strong advocate for overcoming barriers to initiatives,” she added.
The official mentioned that a specific working group was created under the commission, and a concrete roadmap for reform initiatives was approved. "Our reform agenda has been transformative, addressing both affordability and infrastructure issues. To promote the use of environmentally friendly vehicles, we introduced an 18% VAT exemption in January 2022. This concession applies not only to customs clearance and sale of electric and hybrid cars but also to the import of electric chargers. Today, we have over 600 charging devices, with more than 70% installed by the private sector, demonstrating strong private investment in green infrastructure in Azerbaijan."
Javadove also pointed out that the import of electric vehicles to Azerbaijan has increased 33 times in the last 3 years. "This highlights Azerbaijan's commitment and belief in creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious future for the world. We believe transformative changes are possible. Together, we can create a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous future for generations to come."