BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 9. Azerbaijan is clearly observing the effects of climate change, including the significant retreat of the Caspian Sea in recent years, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said at the official opening ceremony of the 4th Climate Week in Baku, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.
The minister noted that the planet is undergoing rapid ecological changes, and the realities of climate change are no longer just assumptions.
"The realities of climate change are no longer just assumptions. They are clearly visible all over the world, including in Azerbaijan. An example of this is the Caspian Sea: it has significantly retreated in the past two years. The coastline that you see today along the Caspian coast, around the beautiful Baku Boulevard, is not the coastline of just a few decades ago," Bayramov emphasized.
According to him, the growing impacts of climate change are creating additional financial pressure on national economies and public finances.
"Global instability, conflicts, and market fluctuations are further increasing these pressures. These processes make economic diversification and energy sustainability even more important for national security, economic stability, and long-term sustainability," the minister pointed out.
Bayramov also noted that historic decisions were made on climate finance, carbon markets, and other areas of the Paris Agreement within the framework of COP29 held in Baku.
"These decisions serve to accelerate climate action and support countries that want to fulfill their commitments but lack resources. The Baku financial goal must be implemented in good faith and provided as a basis for trust among partners," he said.
The minister added that this goal should go beyond the $300 billion outlined in the Baku to Belem Roadmap.
"This document shows that climate finance can be mobilized on a scale exceeding $1 trillion," Bayramov explained.
The minister highlighted that Azerbaijan has aligned its international leadership on the climate agenda with decisive steps taken domestically.
"Azerbaijan has submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in accordance with the results of the Global Stocktake," he noted.
According to Bayramov, Azerbaijan is increasing its renewable energy capacity by commissioning large solar and wind projects, expanding hydroelectric power, and developing clean energy projects with international partners.
"If we look at 2030, our areas designated as green zones provide approximately 6 gigawatts of additional solar and wind energy capacity. With these plans, Azerbaijan is preparing to exceed the targets of the first Global Stocktake, which called for a threefold increase in global renewable energy capacity by 2030," the minister said.
He stressed that Azerbaijan is determined to demonstrate that traditional energy producers can be pioneers of a green and sustainable future.
"All these elements are based on the long-term strategic vision of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev," said Bayramov.
The minister expressed Azerbaijan's commitment to playing an active role in the development of climate diplomacy and related areas at the international level.
"Our activities have continued even after the end of our COP presidency. In May, Baku hosted the 13th Global Forum, advancing global discussions on climate-resilient cities, sustainable urban development and housing. Its results contributed to the high-level meeting on the mid-term review of the UN New Urban Agenda in July," he said.
Bayramov noted that in June, Baku hosted the UN World Environment Day, further strengthening Azerbaijan's role in global environmental action.
