Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has had a meeting with Minister of Sustainability and Environment of the Republic of Singapore Grace Fu as part of her current official visit to that country.

It was said during the conversation that this was the first visit of Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan to Singapore and, of course, the current present visit was going to promote a continued strengthening and expansion of the ties between our countries.

The advancement of the co-operation between the two countries in various areas was said to be gratifying. It was said also that the existing joint opportunities favoured continued intensification of the relationship.

The 29^th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP29), due to be held in Azerbaijan in November this year, was broached as well. Views were exchanged on the subject extensively. Speaker Sahiba Gafarova informed Grace Fu of the run-up to this important international event that will be arranged with Baku acting as its host.

It was said that the intended COP29 taking place in our country was a token of considerable trust in and respect for Azerbaijan. Our country appreciates the whole immense responsibility that comes with it; every necessary measure is taken to ensure that the event will set high standards organisation-wise. It is imperative that all parties would take part in the process in order for the climate-related efforts to advance and achieve the common goals.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said that the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan was actively involved in the COP29 activities as well. She told of the parliamentary meeting that the Milli Majlis is going to hold in conjunction with the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Singaporean delegates’ attendance of the event was talked over, too.

Grace Fu praised Azerbaijan’s energetic COP29-related efforts. The Minister commented on the small island states’ struggle against the climate change and what steps could be taken to that end, and said that Southeast Asia was one of the regions scathed by the climatic changes the most. Climate change-related problems are in the focus of the Government of Singapore and the country is working on decarbonisation seriously therefore.

Speaker Sahiba Gafarova updated Minister Grace Fu on the green-energy work done by Azerbaijan, the projects apace, the re-construction and refurbishment under way in Garabagh and East Zangazur, the implementation of the ‘smart town’ and ‘smart village projects and the steps our country is taking towards efficient and purposeful employment of alternative energy sources.

The meeting also saw an exchange of views upon other matters of shared concern.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis