UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Mr. Alessandro Fracassetti’s opening speech at the project launch ceremony of the regional “EU4Climate” Project in Azerbaijan

April 15, 2019

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Baku, Azerbaijan

15 April 2019  

Dear Rauf Hajiyev, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Republic

Dear Ruslan Rustamli, Head of the Department on Cooperation with International Organizations, Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan Republic

Dear Simona Gatti, Minister-Counsellor/Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Azerbaijan

Dear Michael Rupp, Head of Sector Connectivity, European Commission, DG NEAR

Dear guests, distinguished delegates, representatives of state agencies, international organisations, experts, stakeholders.

Ladies and Gentlemen, - “Hamınızı salamlayıram”.

I am pleased to welcome you all at this workshop. The issues discussed today could not be more urgent and important.

Today we are inaugurating the start of the Azerbaijan Component of the Regional EU4Clima Project funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP. I am pleased to say that in Azerbaijan, UNDP will be implementing project activities in close collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

EU4Climate is a regional initiative, which supports 6 countries of the Eastern Partnership region and as it is already seen from its name, aims to support Azerbaijan, specifically the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and other relevant state agencies, and in fact, the entire country overall in meeting successfully Azerbaijan’s obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including the Paris Climate Change Accord.

In all six countries, the project will contribute to accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 accompanying Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the project will directly support the implementation of SDG 13: Climate Action. Indirectly, EU4Climate will contribute to the achievement of other SDGs related to poverty, food and water security, urban and rural resilience, gender equality, affordable and clean energy, responsible production and consumption and strengthening partnerships for development.

The project is implemented in line with the Easter Partnership “20 Deliverables for 2020” policy framework, which aims to deliver and demonstrate tangible results to improve the lives of citizens across four major areas: economic development; good governance; better connectivity and environment; and social mobility.

With deep gratitude to the European Union which has extended generous funding support for this project, we are now strengthening further our cooperation with both the European Union and the Government of Azerbaijan on climate change action.

As it was expressed during the Paris meeting in December 2015, to keep temperature rise within reversible 2 degrees Celsius much bigger efforts and funding are required for climate change-related  actions. Only with united and concerted efforts of countries and international organization the peril of climate change may be alleviated. 

Here I want to specifically emphasise that we are pleased to see the Government of Azerbaijan taking a proactive approach in tackling climate change issues. Despite being a very minor emitter – close to 0.1% of global emissions, Azerbaijan has taken a voluntary obligation to reduce its GHG emissions by 2030 by 35% in comparison with the base year 1990.

As the largest implementer of climate action in the UN System, UNDP works with countries to turn their climate goals into action.

In Azerbaijan, UNDP has been successfully partnering with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in a number of projects tackling environmental sustainability for many years already, and climate change is one of these top priority areas. We will continue to support the Government in building a more robust climate change mitigation and adaption policies and practices.

In the recent past UNDP has been successfully leading managed GEF-funded projects on Azerbaijan’s adaptation to the climate change and on mitigating the impact of climate change through a better management of the country’s land plots and forests.

UNDP supported the Government of Azerbaijan through the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources with the preparation of its First, Second and Third National Communications in 2001, 2010 and 2016 respectively. Azerbaijan has also submitted its First Biennial Updated Report in 2015 and the Second – in September 2018.

Currently, we are implementing a 4-year project on the Fourth National Communication and Second Biennial Reporting to the UNFCCC. We are also implementing a 2-year project on enhancing institutional capacities of the Ministry to work successfully with the Green Climate Fund. Finally, together with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) we are implementing a 5-year Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action Project.

We have a longstanding cooperation with the European Union in the field of climate change. I would mention here two recent projects: a) from 2011-2014 EU/Government of Norway funded project on “Promoting Development of Alternative Sources of Energy in Azerbaijan” and in 2013-2017 the precursor of this programme, the 4-year Regional Clima-East Project, also covering six countries.

The Project that we are launching in Azerbaijan today will enhance Azerbaijan’s capacity to implement mitigation and adaptation actions in a more robust and holistic way. It will yield the following results:  

i)                 Low-emissions and climate resilience objectives are integrated into development policies and plans

ii)                national low-emission mid-century strategies prepared and communicated to the UNFCCC

iii)               national legislation will be harmonized in accordance with the respective EU acquis as provided by bilateral agreements with the EU and in the context of Energy Community Treaty

iv)              concrete sectoral guidelines will be established for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in each of the Eastern Partners, including in Azerbaijan

 finally, increased mobilization of climate finance to deal with the threat of climate change will be ensured

As you may see, these are very ambitious and comprehensive objectives, which could be achieved only through a well-structured and active participation of all stakeholders, including government institutions, international organisations, private sector and civil society.

Only through committed and orchestrated efforts we will be able to save the planet for future generations.

As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said once. ‘We are in deep trouble’ with climate action’ an it’s not business as usual. “Climate change is running faster than we are and we must catch up sooner rather than later before it is too late”.

Let me wish you a very successful workshop.

Thank you! 

Teshekkur edirem! Sag olun! (closing in Azerbaijani)