Baku, December 2, AZERTAC

“Moldova is interested in the green energy transition project from Azerbaijan to Europe and intends to support its development,” said Carolina Novac, State Secretary on Decarbonization at the Ministry of Energy of Moldova, in an exclusive interview with AZERTAC.

-How do you assess the role of Azerbaijan in COP29? How will COP29 differ from other climate conferences?

-Drawing comparisons between the Azerbaijan Presidency at COP29 and others proves challenging for me, as I do not currently have sufficient COP experience behind me. I can rely, however, on the insights that more seasoned COP attendees have shared with me.

First, I found that hosting the conference in our region has been a welcome development, as it significantly reduced travel time and distance for us, making the participation at the conference more feasible for our delegation. Additionally, Azerbaijan is a developed economy with great access to fossil fuel resources, which made it an interesting country to drive this session’s discussions.

Building on the momentum from COP28 in Dubai, where countries have welcomed the idea of setting new climate finance goals to support adaptation measures, this year’s discussions around the NCQG have given this session a distinct character to the ones preceding it.

-What do you think are the obstacles in the negotiations that could prevent the parties from reaching a final agreement?

-The challenge lies in fostering a welcoming environment for dialogue, ensuring that all governments understand that solutions are achievable through their collective efforts. Unfortunately, we often encounter a dynamic of dominance and subordination, with wealthier nations frequently evading their responsibilities.

However, at the end of the day, we all share the same planet, and if every country remains entrenched in its position, we will collectively bear the consequences of inaction. COP serves as a call to wisdom and responsibility for every nation on Earth.

-How do you assess your energy cooperation with Azerbaijan?

-We had highly productive meetings with Mr. Shahbazov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Mr. Jabbarov, the Minister of Economy, as well as the President and CEO of SOCAR, alongside Mr. Parlicov and Ambassador Esaulenco. Numerous areas of collaboration were identified, and we agreed to move forward with signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the earliest opportunity. The MoU will focus on key areas such as mobility, renewable energy, and interconnections.

-What will change for countries after COP29? How will this conference contribute to the transition of countries to a green economy?

-The COP is an invaluable opportunity to engage with partners, exchange ideas, gather information, and build new connections—all in one place. This is exactly what we achieved during this COP. Mr. Parlicov and I held 16 bilateral meetings and participated as speakers in 20 panels. These interactions are the driving force behind change, offering access to decision-makers from around the world in just a few days.

In terms of climate negotiations, COP remains a pivotal moment. This year’s event earned the title of the "COP of Finance", with one of its primary objectives being to determine the financial commitments needed to support developing countries in adapting to climate change. Other significant decisions were also made, such as the pledge on green corridors and the adoption of measures to establish a global carbon market. This last point is particularly crucial, as setting a price on carbon emissions exerts pressure on polluters, especially large corporations, providing adequate incentives for emissions reduction.

Indeed, COP has the potential to drive the transition of countries toward a more sustainable future. However, its success depends greatly on how discussions are prepared, organized, and led. This is why the selection of the host country is such a highly contested decision.

- What can you say about the final results of COP29?

-As you know, negotiators have already reached an initial agreement to allocate $300 billion per year to developing countries through grants and loans, aimed at compensating for and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

This is an important first step, but it needs further consolidation and clarification. We all recognize that these financial needs will inevitably grow as global warming intensifies. Therefore, it is crucial to direct these funds toward adaptation measures that alleviate the impacts of climate change and enhance resilience.

For instance, in Moldova, we are increasingly vulnerable to droughts and floods, highlighting the urgent need to prepare and adapt to a warming climate. This is why our National Energy and Climate Plan is so vital—it provides a clear framework for our policies to protect our communities and ensure a safe and sustainable environment.

Setting clear goals for energy and climate also means aligning them with robust roadmaps that integrate environmental and agricultural policies, while establishing transparent pathways for financial investments. This alignment is essential to achieving long-term resilience and sustainability.