Ana Palacio: Azerbaijan can reach agreement between world powers

During the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), Azerbaijan is expected to present practical initiatives to combat climate change and reduce CO2 emissions. The country is in a unique geographical position to reach an agreement between parties with different perspectives and different needs, former Spanish foreign minister Ana Palacio told Report.

“The importance of the 11th Global Baku Forum consists of two main aspects. The first is the geographical position of Azerbaijan at the crossroads of different cultures. The second is the upcoming COP29 conference, where practical initiatives to combat climate change and reduce CO2 emissions are expected from Azerbaijan.”

Speaking about preparations for COP29, Palacio noted that Azerbaijan, as a producer of traditional energy resources, has always implemented a pragmatic, goal-oriented policy, and has also been at the front row of alternative, more transition-friendly initiatives.

She emphasized that Azerbaijan can bring parties with different views together because there are different views and different needs in the fight against climate change: “It is very important that Azerbaijan can bring together different views and reach an agreement between the European Union, the United States, China and developing societies, which are growing in terms of population and economy and need energy. We have to understand that in Africa, it's not about energy transition, it's about energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. There are countries like that are electrified to 10, 15 percent.”

According to Palacio, these give Azerbaijan very good opportunities to convey all these positions and find ways forward. These steps may not be ideal, but they will be practical and in the right direction.