Baku, September 30, AZERTAC

The inaugural Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW), taking place from September 30 to October 4, 2024, has begun, with over 700 registered attendees from all over the world.

The event will bring together diverse sustainability experts, policymakers, leaders from the private sector and civil society to explore and accelerate scalable climate solutions. As the international community prepares for COP29 in Baku this November, BCAW will serve as a critical moment in the climate calendar.

The inaugural function featured remarks by Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President-Designate, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Nigar Arpadarai, United Nations Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29, Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy, and Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy. The event also heard video messages by Prof. Sir Jim Skea, Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn and chair of ICLEI's Climate Action Governance.

The event continued with panel sessions, reports on various topics, as well as discussions.

Moreover, Azerbaijan’s State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation for drafting out a roadmap for the development of the concept of green buildings in Azerbaijan.

The document was inked by the State Committee Chairman Anar Guliyev and IFC's Country Representative in Azerbaijan Aliya Azimova.

The week will focus on essential themes delivered in partnership with local, national, and international collaborators. This year's key themes include Energy Transition, Cities/Built Environment, Water Security, Food & Agriculture, SMEs, and Green Skills. The first half of the week (September 30 to October 2) will showcase climate solutions involving public institutions, academia, and the private sector and will feature a high-level international conference.

Following the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week, BCAW will amplify the momentum towards the Roadmap to Mission 1.5°C announced by the COP Presidencies Troika and support the COP29 Presidency’s Action Agenda.

The second half (October 3-4) will focus on contributions from science, academia, arts, and culture, highlighting Baku’s rich cultural heritage as a backdrop to explore the country's transition. This segment will feature immersive experiences such as walks, talks, and exhibitions. Additionally, this part of the week will serve as a platform to work on and sign key pledges, further solidifying commitments to climate action and collaboration.

BCAW demonstrates Azerbaijan's commitment to taking on a significant role in national green transformations, showcasing regional leadership ahead of COP29. The gathering will be a crucial inflection point for fostering discourse around the green transition, rooted in local and regional realities. Additionally, BCAW will strive to support Azerbaijan’s transition through new collaborations, investments, and partnerships with organizations that share a commitment to sustainable development and climate action.