11:45

At 11:39 AM on June 27, President Ilham Aliyev of the Republic of Azerbaijan received Inger Andersen, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Axar.az reports that Inger Andersen conveyed her congratulations on the occasion of COP29 being held in Azerbaijan. She stated that our country would become a center where the whole world gathers to discuss global climate change issues. She emphasized that COP29 in Azerbaijan is very important, as critical and significant decisions are expected to be made regarding climate change, including financial aspects, transparency reporting, and other parameters.

The guest noted that Azerbaijan hosting COP29 is truly a reflection and example of our country's leadership in climate change matters and evaluated the establishment of the "Troika" mechanism as a very important step, congratulating us on this wise decision.

Inger Andersen added that the world is transitioning from fossil fuels to new types of energy. She said that attempts to criticize oil and gas exporting countries are therefore not fair, and she personally does not consider it fair. The guest emphasized that everyone in the world needs such forms of energy.

Highlighting Azerbaijan's strong political will regarding green climate and green transition, Inger Andersen noted the importance of steps taken in our country towards methane commitments, decarbonization, and modernization of the oil and gas industry.

The guest highly appreciated and congratulated the national environmental measures implemented in Azerbaijan, particularly the development of the digital-based "smart agriculture" concept, waste management, protection of the environment, ecological environment of the Caspian Sea, and biodiversity. She also commended Azerbaijan for declaring this year as the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World."

Inger Andersen expressed her pleasure at meeting with IDEA's environmental volunteers and youth during her visit to our country, as well as visiting the Shirvan National Park.

The guest announced that cooperation with Azerbaijan would be expanded and that UNEP would celebrate World Environment Day in Azerbaijan on June 5, 2026, marking one of the most important global environmental events.

Expressing gratitude for the kind words, President Ilham Aliyev voiced his satisfaction with the cooperation between UNEP and Azerbaijan, Inger Andersen's visit to our regions to familiarize herself with the environmental conditions, and her meeting with the youth.

Touching upon Azerbaijan's plans for transitioning to green energy despite being an oil and gas exporting country, our head of state said that this demonstrates our political will.

President Ilham Aliyev considered the unanimous support of nearly 200 countries for Azerbaijan's chairmanship of COP29 as a sign of trust in our country.

The head of state stated that as the chair of COP29, Azerbaijan would contribute to building bridges, trust, and solidarity among the countries of the world.

President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that our country represents the Global South and, having chaired the Non-Aligned Movement from 2019-2023 and maintaining good relations with European Union countries, Azerbaijan will contribute to strengthening solidarity on climate change between the Global South and the Global North.

The head of state noted that our country has identified the problems of small island states as a priority and is closely working with other colleagues on this issue within the framework of the "Troika."

President Ilham Aliyev mentioned that Azerbaijan itself suffers from climate change problems, noting that while there used to be droughts and a decrease in precipitation, recently there has been an increase in precipitation.

During the discussion, ideas were exchanged on waste management, environmental issues of the Caspian Sea, the decrease in its water level, and the need for more systematic work and cooperation in this direction.