BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 18. As part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), discussions were hosted on the topic "Restoring Absheron Lakes: A Pathway to Climate Resilience and Sustainable Water Management" at Azerbaijan’s national pavilion, Trend reports.
The event featured key figures such as the Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Office for the Countries, Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, representatives from the World Bank and Witteveen+Bos firm, as well as delegates from the Clean City OJSC and other relevant bodies.
The discussions aimed to enhance international support for Azerbaijan's national efforts to restore the Absheron Lakes and promote the contribution of such projects to global environmental goals.
The meeting highlighted the work already completed to improve the ecological condition of the Absheron Lakes, alongside plans for further restoration efforts. The importance of rehabilitating the lakes was emphasized in the context of achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Information was shared about the second phase of the Boyukshor Lake restoration project, as well as planned activities for the restoration of the Zigh Lake. The significant role of these lakes in urban life was also discussed.
The Absheron Lake restoration projects, which align with Baku's General Plan through 2040, were evaluated by experts as a crucial part of the city's sustainable development and ecological improvement.
The projects, along with efforts to create large green zones and improve water resource management, are seen as top priorities for enhancing Baku’s climate stability and safeguarding the environment.
To note, the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will run until November 22, opened at the Baku Olympic Stadium on November 11. It is the largest event organized by Azerbaijan to date, and the first time in the region that it is being held in Azerbaijan.
Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action – was held on November 12–13.
The main expectation from COP29 is to agree on a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. The COP29 chairmanship has launched 14 initiatives that include linkages between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals, including green energy corridors, green energy storage, harmony for climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction in organic waste, action on green digital technologies, and other topics.
In addition to being a top priority that creates the conditions for action, creating climate finance will also help fulfill the 1.5°C pledge by bringing everyone together.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Rio Earth Summit in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The acronym COP (Conference of Parties) stands for “Conference of Parties” and is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.
A total of 198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, COP is held annually. The first COP event was held in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
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