Deputy Foreign Minister addresses "Türkiye's Road to COP31: Resilient Cities" event
Baku, May 10, AZERTAC
A delegation of Azerbaijan led by Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister and COP29 Lead Negotiator, participated in the event titled “Türkiye’s Road to COP31: Resilient Cities” held in Hatay, Türkiye. The event featured panel discussions, a high-level session, and a ministerial roundtable.
The event was organized in the context of Türkiye’s bid to host COP31. It was attended by ministers, deputy ministers, and heads of international organizations from various countries. The discussions focused on "resilient cities," specifically urban planning that is resistant to climate change and natural disasters.
Addressing the high-level session, Rafiyev highlighted the special moral significance of holding the event in Hatay—a city that suffered a devastating earthquake three years ago but was restored in a short period through the efforts of the Turkish government. He noted that this exemplary experience demonstrates the practical application of a modern urban planning model resilient to climate change and natural disasters.
Furthermore, he touched upon the green, secure, and resilient cities being built in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that 2026 has been declared the "Year of Urban Planning and Architecture" in Azerbaijan.
Rafiyev stated that the 13th session of the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be held in Baku from May 17–22, will make a significant contribution to the global urban agenda. He emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach between the COP31 and WUF processes, noting that Azerbaijan is ready to work closely with Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency in this direction.
Speaking at the ministerial roundtable chaired by Murat Kurum, Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Rafiyev expressed support for the Hatay Declaration adopted at the end of the event. He stated that the ideas expressed in the Declaration are aimed at making a vital contribution to international climate policies and the sustainable urban agenda within the frameworks of both WUF13 and COP31.
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