Integrated Policy–Expert Round Table & CECECO Clean Energy Hackathon 2026 Award Ceremony

Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is an honor to join you today to celebrate this year’s International Day of Clean Energy – a day dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy, for people and planet. 

I arrived in Azerbaijan exactly one week ago, and this is my first public speech in Baku!

I am particularly delighted to mark this day with the young innovators from ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) member states, whose creativity and commitment have produced digital and data‑driven solutions to advance clean energy awareness, efficiency, and sustainability.  Your ideas and energy inspire us all.

Distinguished Participants:

Today is also an opportune moment to recognize Azerbaijan’s leadership and commitment to clean energy transition.

We welcome Azerbaijan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0, which was announced at COP30.  By advancing its previous 2050 emissions-reduction target by fifteen years, Azerbaijan now commits to a 40% emissions reduction by 2035 - a strong signal of national determination to accelerate climate action.

The new NDC charts key decarbonization pathways: scaling renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, promoting sustainable transport, and improving building performance. Importantly, it emphasizes a just, orderly, and equitable transition, setting the foundation for a more diversified and resilient economy.  Implementing the NDC 3.0 and advancing the transition to a green economy will play a critical role in driving economic diversification and strengthening the country’s overall competitiveness.

Azerbaijan is also making tangible progress toward SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.  With support from UNESCAP, the Government is developing a national SDG 7 Roadmap, focused on expanding renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, and establishing Green Energy Zones in Karabakh and East Zangezur Economic Regions and in Nakhchivan.

We also note the Government’s strong emphasis on attracting private investment in renewable energy.  The recent inauguration of the 240 MW wind farm - the largest in the South Caucasus - developed in cooperation with ACWA Power and Power China, is a powerful example of this commitment.  At the same time, major investments in grid modernization are enabling the integration of new renewable projects, strengthening energy security and creating conditions for greater private‑sector participation.

Under the framework of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026–2030, the United Nations in Azerbaijan stands ready to support the Government in implementing the ambitious NDC 3.0 targets and further progress toward SDG 7, including through collaboration with CECECO.

Distinguished Participants:

On the occasion of the International Day of Clean Energy, let us recall the global commitment to triple global renewable capacity by 2030. 

Achieving this will require removing barriers, modernizing grids, diversifying supply chains, reducing capital costs and mobilizing far greater private investment.  Above all – and here I echo the words of the Secretary-General – “we must ensure this transition is just – protecting workers and communities, supporting education, industrial development, and opportunity for all as energy systems evolve.”

Indeed, a clean energy future is within reach if we act with speed, scale, and solidarity.

In closing, I congratulate Azerbaijan for its climate leadership and reiterate the UN’s unwavering commitment to supporting national efforts to ensure clean, reliable, and affordable energy for all.

I thank you.