Azerbaijan presents green transition initiative for SMEs in Geneva

The Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA), under the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy, has delivered presentations in Geneva to the Swiss-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) and the Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland–Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus (JCC) regarding the “Joint Declaration on the Baku Climate Coalition for the Green Transition of SMEs.”

KOBİA told Report that the presentations were led by the agency’s Chairman of the Board, Orkhan Mammadov, who highlighted the declaration launched during COP29 in Baku in 2024. The initiative aims to establish a global green movement for SMEs.

During KOBİA’s presentation, the goals of the declaration were outlined, emphasizing support for SMEs in countries that join the initiative by easing their green transition and addressing the challenges they face. Over 20 international organizations and national institutions from various countries have already signed onto the declaration.

A video was also showcased, illustrating ongoing activities under the Baku Climate Coalition.

SACCI, JCC, and the Swiss Alternative Financing AG (SAFAG) expressed their support for the coalition and signed memorandums of understanding to join the declaration. The documents promote SME green transition support, organization of related activities, economic cooperation, trade, investment opportunities, information exchange, and collaborative promotion of green initiatives.

As part of the visit, the KOBİA delegation held meetings with Dmitry Mariyasin, Deputy Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC); and Arlette Verploegh, Head of the Entrepreneurship Section at the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Discussions during the meetings focused on strengthening economic and trade ties, boosting cooperation among business circles, and supporting SME development and their green transformation.