Azerbaijani Delegation Participates in High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation
Baku, The Gulf Observer: An Azerbaijani delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov, is participating in the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, which is being held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The event, organized under the auspices of the United Nations, brings together key stakeholders including UN agencies, government officials, financial institutions, civil society representatives, and global scientists and policymakers, all focused on tackling the urgent crisis of glacier retreat.
The Azerbaijani delegation includes officials from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This high-level conference is a key event in the UN’s “International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025” initiative and is being hosted at the initiative of Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan. The conference aims to emphasize the critical role glaciers play in global climate change mitigation and foster discussions on concrete solutions to preserve these vital natural resources.
In his address during the plenary session on May 30, Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to addressing climate change. He highlighted the progress made at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was successfully held in Baku in 2024. Sharifov noted that COP29 marked a significant step forward with an agreement on a new climate finance goal of at least $300 billion annually by 2035, aimed at supporting developing countries in their climate action efforts. Additionally, the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP29 was a pivotal moment to assist vulnerable nations affected by climate change.
Sharifov further stressed that glacier protection is of global importance and emphasized that safeguarding glaciers is a critical mitigation strategy against climate change. He reiterated that limiting global temperature increases, as set forth in the Paris Agreement, is a primary condition for glacier preservation.
On the sidelines of the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Sharifov held a series of meetings, including with Prime Minister of Tajikistan Kokhir Rasulzoda, Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Chairman of the Azerbaijan-Tajikistan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation Usmonali Usmonzoda, and the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization Asad Majeed Khan. During these discussions, Sharifov exchanged views on combating climate change and explored areas of mutual cooperation.
The Azerbaijani delegation’s participation in this conference reflects Azerbaijan’s ongoing commitment to global environmental initiatives and the fight against climate change.
