FAO Officials visited Azerbaijan on the eve of COP29

From May 1 to May 3, the Regional Representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Viorel Gutu, and the director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, Mr. Kaveh Zahedi, paid an official visit to Azerbaijan. The purpose of their visit was to hold important discussions regarding preparations for the upcoming 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

During their visit, Mr. Gutu and Mr. Zahedi thoroughly discussed the official negotiations covering all three main directions: official negotiations, Presidency action agenda, and side events. Officials highlighted FAO's key role in these important areas and explored ways it could expand support.

Within the framework of the visit, a number of productive meetings were held with the main interested institutions of the Azerbaijani government in this direction. Among them were the main participants of the negotiations, the deputy ministers of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan, as well as the ministers of agriculture, ecology and natural resources. Among the topics discussed was the potential initiative of the second phase of the FAO-Azerbaijan Partnership Program, based on the successful cooperation launched in 2016.

FAO officials met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Ms. Vladanka Andreeva to coordinate activities and ensure compliance with UN guidelines.

On the last day, Mr. Zahedi met with the teaching staff and the vice-rector for educational affairs at ADA University, Mr. Elkin Nurmammadov, and the dean of the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Mr. Matteo Vittuari. During the meeting, the importance of academic involvement in addressing the expanding needs of the agricultural sector, exploring potential partnership avenues within the framework of COP29 preparations, and solving climate problems was particularly emphasized.

During the mission, Mr. Gutu and Mr. Zahedi confirmed FAO's readiness to cooperate with Azerbaijan in developing sustainable agricultural practices on a global scale and combating climate change.