Azerbaijan is pleased to bring together important platforms on WUF13 and the energy agenda around the Sustainable Development Goals as a host country.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov at the event titled "High-Level Energy and Urban Dialogue of D-8 Countries" within the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku.
The Minister noted that cities account for approximately 70 percent of global energy consumption and have a significant share in greenhouse gas emissions.
“For this reason, it is important to build urban development on the basis of renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate resilience solutions.”
He also emphasized that Azerbaijan is advancing the green energy agenda as a strategic priority:
“Large-scale renewable energy projects and cross-border energy corridors are being implemented in the country, green energy zones are being developed, energy efficiency is being increased, and the electricity grid is being modernized.
Next year, 12 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 2 gigawatts will be commissioned. These projects will prevent approximately 2.4 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.”
P. Shahbazov also added that under the leadership and initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, Karabakh and East Zangazur are being restored as a green energy zone:
“Solar panels, energy-efficient solutions and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles are widely used in the region based on the concepts of “smart village” and “smart city”.
The planned 1650 megawatts of renewable energy capacity in the region by 2030 will allow to reduce emissions by approximately 2 million tons per year.”
The Azerbaijani representative noted that the first meeting of the energy ministers of the D8 member states will be held in Baku two weeks later:
“During the meeting, the charter of the D8 Climate and Energy Center, which will be hosted by Azerbaijan, will be presented.
The center will play the role of a regional platform for sustainable energy projects across D8 countries and will promote cooperation in the field of renewable energy, energy efficiency, as well as other climate solutions,” P. Shahbazov noted.
