BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 20. Slovenia stands poised to support Azerbaijan in realizing ambitious outcomes at COP29, Tina Seršen, Slovenia’s State Secretary of Energy in the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
“COP29 stands as a pivotal milestone in our collective efforts to implement the Paris Agreement. As the impacts of climate change intensify, it becomes increasingly imperative for nations to unite in addressing this global challenge.
Slovenia and Azerbaijan possess unique strengths and a shared dedication to climate action, positioning us to forge a meaningful partnership at COP29. In the realm of climate negotiations, financing the transition to net-zero emissions and climate-resilient development will undoubtedly be paramount. Slovenia has demonstrated its commitment to climate finance, exemplified by its pledge of €1.5 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, aimed at assisting the most vulnerable nations and communities. As one of the smallest country-sized donors, this commitment serves as a significant signal within the complex multilateral landscape,” she said.
Seršen noted that the recent Global Stocktake underscored the urgency for additional action to align with the Paris Agreement's objectives.
“It emphasized the imperative of transitioning away from fossil fuels, a mission Slovenia fully embraces. With firm commitments to achieving climate targets by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050, Slovenia recognizes renewable energy as a cornerstone of the green transition. Joint initiatives in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures not only benefit our nations but also contribute positively to the wider international community,” noted the state secretary.
Tina Seršen pointed out that furthermore, sectors such as water and agriculture hold paramount importance for both Slovenia and Azerbaijan.
“We are eager to advance agendas in these fields, understanding that sectoral approaches play an increasingly vital role in climate action. As we stand poised to support Azerbaijan in realizing ambitious outcomes at COP29, we recognize that our collaboration extends beyond mere solidarity. It is a testament to the urgent imperative for collective action in addressing the existential threat of climate change. The leadership demonstrated by Azerbaijan in this critical juncture has the potential to catalyze substantive progress towards a sustainable future for all,” he added.
This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. The decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will will receive about 70,000–80,000 foreign guests.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COP—the Conference of the Parties—is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
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