Baku: A regular meeting of the State Commission on Climate Change was held on April 30 under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov. In his opening remarks, Sharifov noted that Azerbaijan has been actively engaged in global efforts to address climate change since joining the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995, and has remained committed to its obligations under the Paris Agreement. He highlighted that the country’s third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels, reflecting a consistent policy of low-carbon development.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Sharifov referred to COP29, noting that the conference resulted in key decisions, including consensus on the ‘New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance,’ setting an annual target of $1.3 billion for developing countries by 2035. At the meeting, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan presented drafts of the ‘Law on Climate’ and the ‘Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy.’
Additionally, the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan presented analyses on the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its potential economic impact. Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues, emphasized the importance of finalizing the Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy and submitting it for approval in the near term. He noted that strengthening national climate policy is essential for maintaining export competitiveness and supporting industrial modernization.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan also briefed participants on the outcomes of COP30, held in November 2025 in Bel©m, Brazil, and on Azerbaijan’s ongoing climate initiatives. It was noted that preparations for COP31, scheduled for November 9-20, 2026, in Antalya, should begin in a timely manner.
In conclusion, the Chairman instructed the preparation of an action plan for COP31 and the establishment of an interagency working group to further develop the Climate Law, the Low-Carbon Strategy, and issues related to the EU CBAM mechanism.