Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova had a meeting on 18 November with Vice President and Special Climate Change Representative of the OSCE PA Pere Joan Pons.

They discussed the successful organisation of the COP29 and the Parliamentary Meeting as well as the debates held during those events. It was said that all the countries are affected by climate change, and that combatting this challenge requires collective efforts and the involvement of all parties. It was stated confidently that the COP29 will lead to the adoption of important decisions that will allow for effective action against climate change.

Particular attention was given to the significant role of parliaments in addressing climate change issues. It was also emphasised that more than 90 delegations from national parliaments, interparliamentary organisations, and other institutions participated in the two-day Parliamentary Meeting. According to Speaker Sahiba Gafarova, this demonstrates the widespread intention to engage in the process, and she added that the Final Document adopted at the end of the meeting reflects a unified position.

The Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly congratulated Azerbaijan on the successful arrangement of such an important event. In his opinion, the global approach to climate change issues must change, and attention to this area must be intensified. He expressed confidence that the decisions made at COP29 will lead to significant results for the entire world.

Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova informed the guest about the current situation in the region. The Speaker mentioned that the territories of Azerbaijan had been occupied for almost 30 years and that the peace process led by the OSCE Minsk Group had failed to resolve the issue. Azerbaijan took it upon herself to restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and for this reason, the OSCE Minsk Group had lost its relevance, she noted.

Besides, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis focused on the fact that certain countries had launched discrediting and pressure campaigns against our country following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Those assaults had been especially intensified ahead of the COP29.

As the conversation went on, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova also told her guest of the green energy and ‘smart’ town and village projects under way in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. She said Azerbaijan had included the green agenda in its national development programmes and was busy implementing renewable energy projects.

Other matters of shared interest were reviewed at the meeting as well.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis