By Dare Akogun
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has emphasized the country’s interest in deepening cooperation with Central Asian nations in the renewable energy sector.
Speaking at the recent meeting of Central Asian Heads of State and the Republic of Azerbaijan in Astana, Kazakhstan, President Aliyev highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen ties in green energy development.
He pointed to the “Memorandum of Cooperation on the Interconnection of Energy Systems of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan,” signed in May, as a foundational step towards greater collaboration in renewable energy.
He underscored Azerbaijan’s commitment to supporting joint initiatives with Central Asian countries to combat climate change under its COP29 Presidency.
“Within our COP29 Presidency, Azerbaijan stands ready to support joint initiatives with Central Asian countries to address climate change impacts in our region,” President Aliyev said.
He further revealed that he has sent official invitations to the Presidents of Central Asian countries, inviting them to Baku in November for further discussions on these critical issues.
In response, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev acknowledged the strong potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two regions, particularly in environmental and climate change efforts.
He stressed the importance of expanding interactions, enhancing coordination, and exchanging experiences on the climate agenda.
“Our countries face similar challenges, and greater cooperation in environmental and climate change issues is of special significance,” President Tokayev noted.
He also expressed his best wishes to Azerbaijan for a successful COP29 summit this fall.
The renewed focus on green energy and climate collaboration between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries marks a significant step in addressing the shared environmental challenges in the region.
