United Nations in Azerbaijan

Over the last eight years, Azerbaijan has demonstrated its firm commitment towards achieving the 2030 Agenda. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued the Decree in 2016, to establish the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development - a key partner for the United Nations to channel its support to the Government of Azerbaijan since then. Azerbaijan has been one of the first countries to undertake a MAPS mission (Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support for the 2030 Agenda) which outlined concrete policy and programming steps that could be taken to accelerate the goals nationally, the experience which was presented at the 2018 Baku Forum on Sustainable Development. This regional event also marked the adoption of the Baku Principles which established provisions for the integration of SDGs and acceleration of their implementation. With UN support, the National Information Portal on SDGs was launched, which introduces an interactive dashboard, collects consolidated data, tracks and monitors progress towards the SDGs in real-time. UN provides continuous support to strengthen national statistical capacities to produce quality data while focusing on disaggregation to Leave No One Behind. United Nations also makes special efforts to engage different groups including the private sector, media, parliamentarians, and the public, among others, in promoting the Goals.

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Publication

10 May 2024

UN Azerbaijan - Annual Results Report 2023

We are pleased to share with you the UN Country Results Report for 2023. The report highlights the last year's results of our joint efforts with the Government, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and the achievements in in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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Press Release

09 May 2024

IOM Azerbaijan hosted a closing ceremony for its "Integrated Rural Development for Internally Displaced Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of Kahriz Water Supply System" project

Baku – On 30 April 2024, IOM Azerbaijan hosted a closing ceremony for its “Integrated Rural Development for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Communities in Azerbaijan through Revitalization of the Kahriz Water Supply System” project, funded by Korea’s International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).In his welcoming remarks, Mr Amr Taha, IOM Chief of Mission a.i. expressed appreciation to all government and non-government partners for the support over the past 25 years which allowed for the rehabilitation of 200 Kahrizes across Azerbaijan, -33 of which under this project. UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Vladanka Andreeva highlighted the importance of this initiatives for downstream countries, adding it contributes to the UN’s cooperation framework 2021-25 and that Kahriz rehabilitation is referenced as a good practice in UN 2.0 map, as “innovation through recovery”. Ms Youkyoung Hwang, Representative of the Korean Embassy expressed her gratitude to KOICA, IOM, and all partners, including the significant contributions from various ministries and agencies. During her speech she also mentioned that “By rejuvenating the Kahriz water system, we have provided IDP communities not only with access to clean and sustainable water sources but have also empowered these communities towards self-sustainability and economic independence”. Government counterparts also underscored the importance of Kahriz rehabilitation not only as a sustainable water management system but also as it aligns with COP 29; and Azerbaijan Presidency’s initiative on water; as well as The Year of Solidarity for a Green World as announced by President Aliev, and the county’s Great Return Programme. Community representative, Mr. Samandar Musayev shared stories about the social importance of Kahrizes as a place of gathering for communities to celebrate and commemorate important events, in addition to the cultural heritage value. Ms Sulim Hwang, KOICA Country Director, emphasized the importance of inclusive development enabled through this USD 4,42M grant, and Mr. Mahammad Ibrahimov, IOM Project Assistant shared concrete examples of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach throughout the rehabilitation process. The project developed a bilingual national Atlas of Kahrizes in Azerbaijan and corresponding virtual atlas Kahriz Atlas (azkahriz.az); drafted a National Master Plan on Kahriz Revitalization in Azerbaijan; established a Kahriz Research and Information Centre in which Kankans -specialised traditional kahriz labourers which allow the preservation of this dying craft.

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Press Release

26 March 2024

Mr. Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, pays an official visit to Azerbaijan

Baku, March 15th, 2024. Mr. Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan to participate in the XI Global Baku Forum, the flagship event of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. Mr. Steiner joined the panel discussion titled as “From Good Words to Good Deeds: What Objectives can be set for COP29” at the XI Baku Global Forum. The UNDP Administrator underscored the importance of COP and the viability of the multilateral process as the avenue towards continued climate and sustainable development action. He highlighted some of the key goals for COP29, including the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), and its significance on the road to COP30 and for wider climate progress. UNDP’s expertise in the COP sphere and commitment to working with the COP29 Presidency were also stressed in the speech. In the frame of his official visit, Mr. Steiner met with H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The UNDP Administrator commended Mr. Aliyev for his victory in the recent presidential elections and highlighted the anticipation of a new period marked by opportunities for progress and development under his leadership. He thanked Mr. President for the work of the Government of Azerbaijan in leading sustainable development in the region and making significant progress in the last decade on economic growth, stability, and social progress.President Ilham Aliyev briefed Achim Steiner on Azerbaijan’s development strategy until 2030, noting that the green transition is one of the priority areas for the country. The Head of State said that the renewable and green energy potential of the country exceeds 200 gigawatts, adding that Azerbaijan will have the opportunity to produce 5 megawatts of renewable energy resources in the near future. In this context, the President emphasized that Azerbaijan took the initiative to form a renewable green energy corridor linking the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, and that cooperation with the countries of the region is underway in this regard. Achim Steiner pointed out that Azerbaijan's green transition transformation aligns perfectly with the concept of hosting COP29, and the country's example will be presented to the international community.President Ilham Aliyev invited Achim Steiner to the COP29 Conference, which the latter accepted.During the visit, a series of meetings with a specific reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the COP29 Presidency of Azerbaijan was held with the national authorities. The UNDP Administrator met with Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, productive discussions were held upon current issues.

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Story

27 August 2024

When a woman deminer talks…

“Certain events caused my husband and me part our ways. prompting me to move with children to my mother's place. Right now, it is just me and my five-year-old daughter, Nilufar, living together. She is at her preschool studies, while my fourteen-year-old son, Mammad, is away at high school. We are currently staying in an IDP settlement. We hope that once the land is safe again after the mines are cleared, we can return to our homeland.”Narmin is a deminer, dedicating her days to the crucial task of clearing our precious earth from mine contamination. She needed a job, so when she came across an online job opening for recruitment of women deminers she felt compelled to apply. Despite knowing it is a tough job, Narmin believed she could handle it. While the decision to apply was not hard for Narmin, her mother worried about the choice. “After submitting my application and passing the exam, I felt relieved and grateful to be chosen for the position. Joining this project has made me feel like I am part of something truly meaningful. Luckily, I was the first among our group of women deminers to discover a mine. It filled me with an immense sense of pride and shifted the way people treated me, and those around me started to express their pride in my achievement though initially, my decision to pursue this challenging profession was not welcomed by my mother and relatives.”Their primary goal is to locate landmines and other dangerous items buried beneath the ground and then safely hand them over to the explosive ordnance disposal team. As a team of women deminers, they are deeply involved in the effort to clear areas contaminated by mines, actively contributing to this vital work. “This is my first job, a significant milestone for me. Getting my very first paycheck as a deminer, helped finding a way to support my family's needs. It's been a year now since I joined the project, and over this time, I have seen how my earnings have made a real difference. With careful saving and hard work, I was able to buy a car. It made our daily routines smoother, lightening the load of family responsibilities and giving us a newfound sense of ease and freedom.”Narmin is a mother. She came on a call of her motherland. She came to release it from foreign objects, to restore its purity, and to help it flourish again!

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Story

06 June 2024

Azerbaijan and Lao PDR: ‘Twins’ in pursuit of the SDGs

This is true for the UN development system that is working to support progress towards the 2030 Agenda, and it is true for the Member States that designed and signed up to it. And when we are falling so far behind, with Asia-Pacific collectively heading for a 32-year delay according to the latest estimates from ESCAP, that search for ideas needs to go beyond the most obvious places.Amongst the many efforts to analyze sustainable development progress, bottlenecks, and their solutions, perhaps the most extensive at the country level are the Voluntary National Reviews that countries can opt to develop and present to the High-Level Political Forum annually. These extensive, and collective, exercises speak to the universality of the SDGs and take a deep look at how close we are to reaching our 2030 targets, and shape ideas and policies that can help us to get there faster.
  This year, Azerbaijan and Lao PDR are both undertaking such reviews.At first glance, Azerbaijan, an upper-middle income country in the South Caucasus, would seem to have little in common with Lao PDR, a country working towards graduation from Least Developed Country status in the heart of tropical Southeast Asia.But look closer, and many more areas of common interest begin to emerge.
Both have strong track records of commitment to the SDGs- Azerbaijan is preparing its fourth Voluntary National Review and Lao PDR its third. Both have worked hard to integrate the SDGs into national frameworks and policies. And both have encountered major obstacles to their pursuit of sustainable development for all. Perhaps most prominently, both have developed a bespoke SDG18. For Lao PDR, SDG18 aspires to ‘Lives safe from unexploded ordnance’. For Azerbaijan, SDG18 covers ‘Actions to combat mine threats’. In both cases, removing the threats from landmines and explosive remnants of war is considered essential for progress across the SDGs, despite this not being a clear element of the global 2030 Agenda.
It is precisely the combination of these similarities and differences that set the context for a successful ‘twinning’ exchange between the two countries organized under a flagship ESCAP initiative to support Voluntary National Review processes. Arranged by ESCAP with support from UN Resident Coordinator’s Offices, UNDP, and UNICEF, the series of virtual and in-person exchanges between the two countries shared concrete ideas and experiences on how the SDGs can be pursued in a broad range of areas.
This included sharing pragmatic experiences on how SDG policies and indicators can be prioritized, which is particularly valuable in the context of ongoing work to develop the next cycle of the National Social Economic Development Plan for Lao PDR. The ‘twins’ were able to compare notes on how national institutions and structures can be organized to integrate and promote the achievement of the SDGs, such as through the establishment of national committees, and clearly linking policy discussions to financial resources.And lessons were shared on how different groups of stakeholders can be effectively and substantively engaged in national processes for the delivery of the 2030 Agenda- in particular how young people and volunteers can be engaged as a demographic that is so critical to the future development prospects of both countries.

  This is already leading to new and promising areas of partnership. At the High-Level Political Forum in New York in July, a joint side event will be organized focused on the respective SDG 18s, working together to raise the profile of this critical development challenge for achievement across the SDGs for both countries.Discussions have also started on possible collaboration on issues related to climate change, and in particular climate finance in the lead up to Azerbaijan’s hosting of COP29 later this year.Exchanges are continuing on how Azerbaijan’s successful experiences in the digital delivery of public services could be shared with counterparts in Lao PDR as it embarks on its Digital Government Masterplan.And building on this success, plans are afoot to continue the exchange, next time in Vientiane.We are collectively badly off-track from our vision for 2030, and in urgent need of actions to change the trajectory. But, as the experiences of Azerbaijan and Lao PDR show, precisely because that vision is so universal, there is a world of ideas and inspiration out there that countries can draw on. It’s our job to help build that bridge.

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Story

04 April 2024

The lingering impact of landmines on children and families in Azerbaijan

As the world marks Mine Awareness Day, Akif remembers his two sons who died in a landmine explosion, and other family members who still live with the scars.When 65-year-old Akif heard that his grandson and two sons had been caught up in a landmine explosion, he raced to help – only to find himself facing the same fate. “We saw that one of my sons was lying on the ground,” recalls Akif, who lives in a village near Agdam, in Azerbaijan. “I called to him but he didn’t respond, and he was covered in blood. One had a child in his arms and he had no legs. My friend told me to pick him up and put him on my back. After that, I don’t remember anything.” Separate blasts killed two of Akif’s sons, and injured his eight-year-old grandson Huseyn. Akif was rushed to hospital with a broken leg, while a neighbour, trying desperately to save the family, was also wounded in the tragedy. “I don’t know where we would be if he hadn’t come,” says Akif. “My grandson is still receiving psychological support. He often stutters when he speaks and when he gets angry, he finds it difficult to cope with his feelings and it takes him time to calm down.” “Who would want something like this to happen to their child in their home?” adds Huseynova, the boy’s mother. “My son still does not like to talk about what happened. He is afraid of the dark.” Explosive remnants of war and landmines remain a major risk for communities living in parts of Azerbaijan which, after years of conflict, is now one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the region. Since November 2020, 65 people have been killed and 289 people injured from explosive ordnance across Azerbaijan, including nine children. This is why, UNICEF is prioritising its partnership with the government on Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and capacity building. Without effective EORE programmes and including them in the school curriculum, there are concerns that the number of casualties will continue to increase.“Providing lifesaving risk education will continue to be a priority for UNICEF in the coming years,” says Saja Farooq Abdullah, UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan. “No child should ever be at risk when coming home from school, walking in the park or having fun outdoors. We will continue our critical risk education programmes in areas where needs are the highest, raising awareness of risks and life-saving safety rules in schools and communities, as well as providing mental health and psychosocial support services.” Thousands of families and children are already benefitting from these life-saving community engagement and communication activities, such as UNICEF’s partnership with the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and the Ministry of Science and Education, which has helped over 20,000 children to receive EORE through school-based activities. This partnership has also helped over 124,000 people, including 46,000 children in conflict-affected areas, to receive EORE through face-to-face sessions, and contributed to the development of more than 720 billboards and printed materials that raise awareness in these territories.

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12 March 2024

When a woman deminer talks…

Samaya Ahmadli: My father supported me in this decision, he always stood behind meSamaya is originally from Aghdam. She worked as a geography teacher for six years, and always had an interest in the military. Her brother is a soldier who passed through the war. Samaya is one of the eighteen newly trained women deminers that were accredited in November 2023 during a ceremony in Baku with participation of high-level officials from ANAMA, the European Union (EU), UNDP, and other officials. Thanks to theoretical and practical trainings conducted by the international experts of the Mine Advisory Group (MAG), the first teams of women deminers acquired the foundational knowledge, skills and required code of conduct to recognize, detect and mark mines and unexploded ordnance, and to provide first aid.“I started work with great enthusiasm, as if I was going to be rewarded. You must be cool-headed, I have no fear.”She talks about her friends at the school who did not expect her to become a deminer, but now they follow her with great interest. She is very happy."My family did not agree at first, but my father supported me in this decision. My mother was not used to seeing me in special clothes, now she accepts it easily. She is still a bit worried, they regularly contact me."Samaya had difficulties at first, it was not easy for her to work under the sun, mainly in hot weather, but later she got used: "I have always had white and sensitive skin, so I avoided the sun, but I got tanned here," she jokes.Samaya is so proud of being a part of this initiative, the first one in Azerbaijan."I want to contribute to the Great Return. We are working on our lands."The two demining teams of 24 people, including 18 women deminers, 2 healthcare workers, 2 team leaders and 2 deputy team leaders were established within the framework of the “Supporting safe return of Internally Displaced People through capacity building of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA)” initiative funded by the EU andimplemented by UNDP in partnership with ANAMA, the International Eurasian Press Fund (IEPF) and the MAG. Jeyhun Alakbarov, UNDP Azerbaijan

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Press Release

06 November 2024

UN Azerbaijan Celebrates UN Day with the 5th SDG Dialogue: “Future Echoes: Bridging Paths for Climate Action and Global Goals”

The event brought together representatives from the Government, UN Azerbaijan, civil society, private sector, development partners and the diplomatic community to explore Azerbaijan’s path to a sustainable and climate-resilient future. Ahead of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference in Baku in November, the Dialogue focused on scaling up climate finance to enable the successful implementation of Azerbaijan’s national climate action plan and advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Part of the UN’s ongoing SDG Dialogue series that was launched in 2022, the event provided a platform for high-level dialogue and knowledge exchange on opportunities to maximize the development co-benefits of climate finance. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chief Negotiator for COP29, Yalchin Rafiyev, spoke about Azerbaijan's multilateral relations with international organizations, including the UN, and the importance of the UN's multifaceted global mission. Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, highlighted the critical importance of multilateralism and partnerships to tackle global challenges: “With the window of opportunity quickly closing to reach net-zero by 2050 and keep warming under 1.5°C, the upcoming COP29 will be a pivotal moment for the climate agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together with all partners, and in support of the Government, we will scale-up our support for Azerbaijan’s climate ambition.”Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli emphasized that effective measures are being taken in Azerbaijan to address climate change and its negative impacts, with purposeful actions being implemented toward a green transition. It was noted that hosting COP29, a prestigious UN event, entrusted to our country, is another indication of international trust in Azerbaijan and opens a new chapter in our cooperation with the UN. Today's event will also contribute to discussions within the framework of COP29.The two keynote presentations outlined Azerbaijan’s climate ambition as articulated in the new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) and the Long-Term Climate Strategy. The first was delivered by Mr. Elnur Soltanov, Deputy Minister of Energy and COP29 Chief Executive Officer, titled “Main Features of Azerbaijan’s Nationally Determined Contributions and Development Co-Benefits of the Long-Term Climate Strategy”; and the second was delivered by Mr. Vugar Karimov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, titled “Azerbaijan’s long term climate strategy on combatting climate change.” Following this, a high-level panel, “Scaling up Climate Action in Azerbaijan,” delved into the pathways and partnerships needed to deliver Azerbaijan’s national climate action plan and achieve sustainable development.As the final countdown to COP29 starts, this SDG Dialogue reinforced Azerbaijan’s strong commitment to both climate action and sustainable development. Discussions with stakeholders highlighted the importance of scalable financing solutions and collaborative engagement across sectors. Key recommendations from the Dialogue will inform the implementation of Azerbaijan’s national climate action plan.

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Press Release

29 October 2024

Event on “Climate Change and Forced Displacement” held in Baku ahead of COP29

The event brought together representatives from academia, government authorities, international organizations, and the legal practitioners community.The main objective of the event was to highlight the connection between climate change and forced displacement and to discuss how the global climate crisis disproportionately impacts people who are forced to leave their countries due to climate change, as well as stateless people. Participants engaged in discussions about the challenges and solutions regarding climate-induced displacement, ahead of the upcoming COP29 conference.Opening remarks were delivered by the Head of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office Ms. Kanako Mabuchi, UNHCR Protection Officer Mr. Ivan Charnetski, Acting Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation Mr. Gadir Khalilov, and Dean of the Law Faculty at BSU Mr. Zaur Aliyev. The following presentations were delivered: “The Principle of Climate Justice” by Dr. Turgay Huseynov from Law Faculty of BSU, “Climate Change and Migration Issues: Challenges and Fair Solutions” by Mr. Fuad Humbatov from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, “Sustainable Solutions for Forced Displacement” by Ms. Gular Fatali from the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and “Impact of Climate Change on Forcibly Displaced and Stateless People” by Ms. Aydan Seyidova from UNHCR Azerbaijan.Representatives of refugee youth club, initiative supported by UNHCR, presented adaptation tools identified by the displaced people themselves in response to climate change.The event concluded with the award ceremony of the winners of the essay competition on “Climate Change and Forced Displacement.” The competition, jointly organized by BSU and UNHCR, encouraged students to submit essays exploring the challenges and potential solutions related to the topic of climate change and forced displacement. Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and UN Resident Coordinator’s Office were part of the jury together with BSU and UNHCR, the jury members assessed more the 40 works submitted by the contestants. This event was part of a broader series of initiatives leading up to COP29, which will be held in Baku from 11th to 22nd November 2024, and highlighted the importance of discussions on inclusive and sustainable solutions for the forcibly displaced people most affected by climate change.

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Press Release

21 October 2024

“Green Finance and Sustainability Forum” held in Baku as part of the UN “29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29” initiative.

This forum brought together high-level stakeholders from government, financial institutions, international organizations, and civil society to discuss strategies to advance green finance as a powerful tool to combat climate change and drive sustainable economic growth. The event marked a significant milestone on Azerbaijan’s path to hosting COP29 in November 2024, reinforcing the country's commitment to positioning green finance at the heart of global climate efforts.In his opening speech, Mr. Taleh Kazimov, Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, emphasized the role of green finance in shaping a resilient economy. He remarked: “Our strategic initiatives are focused on strengthening the resilience of our economy, promoting green investments, and ensuring that financial institutions are well-prepared to support sustainable practices. We are actively working to improve the regulatory framework and provide essential support to encourage green investments. Our goal is to equip financial institutions with the tools and guidance they need to align their portfolios with sustainability objectives”.Mr. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate, addressed the participants by emphasizing the urgency of global climate action. He stated, “It is particularly important to strengthen the role of the banking sector in financing the clean energy transition, creating climate-resilient infrastructure, and supporting the development of sustainable agriculture within the framework of transitioning our national economy to a green economy. It is crucial for the banking sector to implement green finance mechanisms that support climate action. The Azerbaijani banking sector must become a key participant in the transition to a sustainable economy by aligning with global trends in green financing. The new financial target should reflect the growing financial needs of developing countries and provide greater and more sustainable resources for financing climate action. The discussions on the New Target are aimed not only at expanding the scale of climate finance but also at taking serious steps in the areas of adaptation, loss, and damage mitigation. Azerbaijan is actively participating in these discussions to achieve ambitious and practical results and is supporting global efforts to ensure that climate finance is accessible, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of vulnerable countries.”Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources, Energy, and Ecology, Mr. Sadiq Gurbanov, said: "Hosting such a prestigious event as COP29 will ensure that Azerbaijan is recognized on the international stage as a country taking serious steps towards implementing environmental policy. This will allow Azerbaijan to strengthen its position in international relations and trade connections, and to establish new partnerships. Additionally, holding COP29 in Azerbaijan will showcase our country's activity in expanding the use of green energy in the fight against climate change, as well as its immense potential in renewable energy, to the global community. I hope that the participants of the 'Green Finance and Sustainable Development Forum' will continue dialogue and cooperation to achieve a 'green' and sustainable future, contributing to the greening of our world."Following Sadig Gurbanov, Mr. Nasar Hayat, UN Resident Coordinator a.i., underscored the need for collaboration and innovation in the financial sector, stating, “With COP29 on the horizon, Azerbaijan has an important role to play in leading the global conversation on sustainable finance. By integrating green finance into our national economic strategies, we can unlock new opportunities for innovation, economic growth, and climate action. The actions we take today will lay the foundation for a resilient and prosperous future, not only for Azerbaijan but for the world.” The forum featured keynote presentations from leaders of major financial associations, including the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA), Azerbaijan Insurers Association (AIA), Azerbaijan Micro-finance Association (AMFA), Azerbaijan Fintech Association (AzFina), and Azerbaijan Capital Market Participants Association (ACMPA). These representatives highlighted the importance of advancing green finance within their respective sectors and discussed strategies for leveraging financial innovation to promote sustainable development in Azerbaijan.Mr. Zakir Nuriyev, President of the Azerbaijan Banks Association, emphasized the critical role of the banking sector in financing sustainable development. He stated: "The final direction, namely the participation of the private sector in green financing, holds even greater importance for financial institutions, especially banks and investment companies. It is known that climate finance flows have been increasing at an accelerating rate over the last decade. As the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA), we actively continue working in this direction and ensure collaboration within the sector by taking joint steps with the banks. The banking sector plays a key role as an essential partner in achieving these goals. The initiatives outlined within the ABA's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy strengthen the environmental responsibility of the banking sector, supporting these goals. These initiatives, on the one hand, ensure that Azerbaijani banks operate in line with global climate targets, and on the other hand, promote environmental responsibility and sustainability in the economy. As a result, banks not only function as financial institutions but also become key players contributing to the country's sustainable and low-carbon development."The forum highlighted the need for continued dialogue and collaboration, with a focus on practical solutions. As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, the event reiterated the significance of green finance in achieving global climate targets.Looking Forward to COP29The Green Finance and Sustainability Forum is part of initiative 29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29 which United Nations Office in Azerbaijan has launched. By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and actionable strategies, the forum seeks to catalyze transformative change in the financial sector, enabling Azerbaijan to lead by example on the global stage.

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Press Release

14 October 2024

Pre-COP Event in Baku Highlights the Crucial Role of Human Development in Climate Action

The event marked the announcement of the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience, developed through inclusive multistakeholder consultations, including with WHO, UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, and Multilateral Development Banks, as well as with civil society and philanthropies. The event was attended by representatives from national governments, international organizations, and civil society, who gathered to share insights and perspectives on the integration of human development into climate resilience strategies.The event featured opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, COP29 Lead Negotiator, who emphasized the initiative’s goal of strengthening resilience to the impacts of climate change by advancing human development through education, health, social protection, and green jobs and skills, with a special focus on children and youth. The first panel, moderated by Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, explored the nexus between climate change and human development. Speakers included Hasan Hasanli, Deputy Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan; Saja Farooq Abdullah, UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan; Troy Dooley, Chief of IOM Azerbaijan; Nigar Arpadarai, COP29 High-Level Champion, Yashar Hamzayev, ILO National Coordinator for Azerbaijan; and Kamran Mashhadi, Officer in Charge at WHO Azerbaijan. Discussions underscored the critical role of education, green jobs, and health in shaping a climate-resilient society, as well as the importance of empowering children and youth.The second panel, moderated by Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, ADB Country Director in Azerbaijan, addressed scaling up financing for human development in climate action. Panelists included Azar Bayramov, Director of OIC Labour Centre; Alessandra Roccasalvo, UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan; Ahmet Levent Yener, Practice Leader for Human Development in the South Caucasus, World Bank; John Fairhurst, Head of Private Sector, The Global Fund; Jan-Willem van de Ven, Head of International Policy & Engagement, EBRD; and Bert De Wel, Global Climate Policy Coordinator, ITUC and focal point for TUNGO. The speakers discussed innovative financing mechanisms and cross-sector partnerships to bolster investments in human development.The event reinforced the critical role of human development in shaping climate action, and the feedback from stakeholders will guide the continued development of the Baku Initiative on Human Development for Climate Resilience ahead of COP29.

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