The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), opened on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium, AzVision.az reports.

A delegation led by Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is participating in the event, as reported by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan.

At the session titled Transitioning to Clean Energy for International Aviation in Support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, moderated by ICAO’s Ambassador for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Jane Hupe, the latest ICAO achievements were shared regarding the impact of international civil aviation on climate change.

Discussions highlighted the progress made under ICAO’s Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve "net-zero" carbon emissions by 2050. The focus also included transitioning to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Lower Carbon Aviation Fuel (LCAF), and other cleaner aviation energy sources. Information on future initiatives in these areas was also presented.

The session included a renewed call for stakeholders to unite in implementing clean energy and building capacity for the aviation sector’s sustainable development.

In his remarks, Elmin Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, highlighted the environmental priorities of the country's economic policy and emphasized the importance of long-term, effective cooperation with ICAO in the field of aviation.

At the conclusion of the event, a partnership document on ACT-SAF (Aviation Clean Technology – Sustainable Aviation Fuel) was signed between the State Civil Aviation Agency of Azerbaijan and ICAO to support, enhance capacity, and provide training in sustainable aviation fuel.

The document was signed by Nazim Ziyadov, Deputy Director of the State Civil Aviation Agency, and Nicholas Rallo, Director of the ICAO European and North Atlantic Office, on behalf of the ICAO Secretary General.

The ACT-SAF partnership will play a pivotal role in helping Azerbaijan achieve its emission reduction targets and combat greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. It will also significantly contribute to enhancing the country’s environmental development capacity, promoting the adoption of best practices, and advancing sustainable aviation practices.

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 on November 11 at the Baku Olympic Stadium. The event is the largest organized by Azerbaijan to date and is the first time the region has hosted the event in Azerbaijan. Within COP29, the highest level event - the summit of world leaders on climate action - will be 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.

More about: