AGP Executive Report

Climate Diplomacy in Baku: Azerbaijan hosted UNFCCC Climate Week 4 and the parallel Baku Climate Action Week, drawing nearly 2,700 delegates from 140+ countries across 68 events at the Baku Convention Center (Sept 7–11), with sessions spanning energy transition, climate finance, industry decarbonization and implementation links between COP29, COP30 and COP31. Green Power Grid Needs: Azerbaijan’s renewable growth is pushing demand for a flexible, “smart” power grid to balance non-stop generation limits and keep the system resilient during climate-linked emergencies. Regional Green Electricity Deal: Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Bulgaria are moving toward an intergovernmental agreement in November to transmit and trade renewable electricity—framed as the “TANAP of electricity”—with a possible signing at COP31 in Antalya. Youth Climate Push: LCOY Azerbaijan 2026 continued in Guba, focusing on drafting a National Youth Declaration, while Baku Climate Action Week also featured youth and media engagement around climate action. Biodiversity & Local Livelihoods: A Honey Festival in Kalbajar highlighted beekeeping and restoration work, tying local environmental stewardship to community recovery.

Climate Week in Baku: Azerbaijan wrapped the UNFCCC Fourth Climate Week and the parallel Baku Climate Action Week (Sept 7–11) at the Baku Convention Center, with 2,700 delegates from 140+ countries and 68 events under UNFCCC, plus 37 events under Baku Climate Action Week. Youth Climate Voice: The LCOY Azerbaijan 2026 youth conference continued in Guba, focusing on drafting a National Youth Declaration. Energy Transition & Resilience: Azerbaijan’s grid needs to be more “smart” and flexible to handle renewables that can’t generate continuously, officials said during BCAW. Green Power Links: Türkiye and Azerbaijan discussed a regional green electricity transmission plan linking Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye, and Bulgaria, with hopes for key steps at COP31 in Antalya. Caspian Focus: Iran is reportedly restarting offshore exploration in the Caspian with the Amir Kabir rig, reopening a deep-water energy frontier after years of dormancy.

Climate Diplomacy in Baku: Azerbaijan hosted UNFCCC Climate Week and the parallel Baku Climate Action Week (Sept 7–11), with 68 events and nearly 2,700 delegates from 140+ countries. Adaptation & Commitments: A “Belém Mission 1.5” Troika consultation (COP29/COP30/COP31 presidencies) focused on implementing National Adaptation Plans and NDCs. Energy Transition: Azerbaijan and Türkiye used the Azerbaijan–Türkiye Energy Forum to push deeper electricity cooperation, including plans for a four-country green power corridor (Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye–Bulgaria) and possible Black Sea undersea links toward Europe. Grid Resilience: An official said Azerbaijan needs a flexible, “smart” power grid to manage renewables and keep the system stable during climate-linked disasters. Youth Climate Action: LCOY Azerbaijan 2026 (Guba) is drafting a National Youth Declaration as part of YOUNGO’s climate policymaking push. Local Climate Culture: A Honey Festival in Kalbajar highlighted rural restoration and community engagement around agriculture and beekeeping. BCAW Methane Focus: SOCAR events spotlighted methane abatement, including detection and transparent reporting using satellite and drone tools.

Climate Diplomacy in Baku: UNFCCC Climate Week 4 wrapped up in Baku after five days of talks on the energy transition, climate finance, industrial decarbonization and turning COP29 decisions into measurable action, with a push to strengthen links across COP29–COP30–COP31. Power Grid Resilience: Azerbaijan’s renewable growth needs a flexible, “smart” grid so intermittent generation can be managed safely during climate-linked disasters, boosting energy security and diversification. Green Electricity Links: Azerbaijan and Türkiye are advancing electricity transmission plans, including a four-country green corridor (Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye–Bulgaria) and possible Black Sea undersea links to Europe, with hopes for key signing at COP31 in Antalya. Water Stress Watch: A new analysis warns Russia is facing worsening water shortages from climate change and higher demand, hitting food, drinking water and shipping routes. Education for Return Areas: Under the Great Return programme, the number of schools in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur is set to rise to 52, alongside major renovations.

UN Climate Week in Baku: The UNFCCC Fourth Climate Week wrapped up after five days of talks on the energy transition, climate finance, industrial decarbonization and climate-change impacts, with a strong focus on keeping momentum across COP29, COP30 and COP31 and turning pledges into measurable action. Smart grids for renewables: Azerbaijan’s Renewable Energy Agency says the country needs a flexible, “smart” power grid to manage intermittent renewables, boost energy security and keep electricity systems resilient during climate-linked disasters. Green power links to Europe: Energy officials say Türkiye and Azerbaijan are pushing new electricity transmission projects, including a four-country green corridor (Azerbaijan–Georgia–Türkiye–Bulgaria) and possible Black Sea undersea links, with agreements hoped for at COP31 in Antalya. Energy efficiency in buildings: A Baku Climate Action Week roundtable discussed energy-efficiency certification for buildings, aiming to expand efficient technologies in cities and cut environmental pressure. Education under Great Return: Azerbaijan plans to raise the number of schools in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur to 52, alongside renovations at about 1,000 institutions benefiting roughly 550,000 students. Regional demining support: An EU special representative said EU discussions with Azerbaijan and local authorities focus on practical steps for safe returns, including demining and protecting cultural and historical heritage.

Climate Action Week & energy efficiency: Baku Climate Action Week 2026 pushed building energy-efficiency certification and grid investment needs, with Mukhtar Babayev saying annual electricity-grid spending must rise to about $600bn by 2030 (from ~$400bn). Green cities & housing upgrades: Azerbaijan says it is expanding energy-efficient technologies in major cities and, under the “Great Return” programme, plans to raise the number of schools operating in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur to 52, with renovations improving conditions for about 550,000 students. Caspian Sea pressures: An ecologist warned that Caspian pollution is driven mainly by large rivers like the Volga and by coastal cities’ domestic and industrial wastewater, including Baku and Sumgayit. Biodiversity cooperation: Azerbaijan’s climate officials urged Turkic-world cooperation on biodiversity and nature protection, including joint work to safeguard the Hyrcanian Forests and expand protected areas. Regional energy connectivity: UN officials highlighted Azerbaijan’s practical energy cooperation plans, including a planned undersea cable linking Azerbaijan and Georgia toward European markets via Romania. Mine action & reconstruction: Azerbaijan and Ukraine discussed UN-backed humanitarian demining cooperation, including sharing Azerbaijan’s experience for urban areas ahead of reconstruction. Humanitarian & development aid: Azerbaijan marked AIDA’s 15th anniversary, saying it has supported 140+ countries with about $400m since 2020, including climate- and health-related assistance.

Mine Action & Reconstruction: Azerbaijan and Ukraine discussed expanding cooperation on humanitarian demining, with Ukraine seeking ANAMA’s experience in clearing urban areas and preparing sites for reconstruction. Biodiversity & Heritage: A Turkish world protected-sites network was proposed at Baku Climate Action Week, alongside calls to blend traditional knowledge with modern conservation to boost biodiversity and climate resilience. Caspian Pollution: An ecologist pointed to the Volga and major Caspian cities—including Baku and Sumgayit—as key drivers of pollution, while noting the role of industrial and domestic discharges. Climate Diplomacy & Energy: UN officials praised Azerbaijan’s climate leadership and regional energy cooperation, including plans for an undersea electricity cable linking Azerbaijan, Georgia and European markets. COP31 Buildings Focus: COP31 leadership floated a global target to cut buildings’ energy intensity by at least 20% by 2035 versus 2025. Green Urban Development: Azerbaijan approved a UN-Habitat contribution agreement for smart, sustainable planning in East Zangezur. Regional Logistics: Ports and corridor talks in Baku highlighted growing Middle Corridor cargo flows and tighter Caspian–Black Sea connectivity. Humanitarian Aid: Azerbaijan marked AIDA’s 15th anniversary, saying it has supported 140+ countries over 15 years with about $400m since 2020.

COP31 Buildings Push: COP31 Presidency proposes a global target to cut buildings’ energy intensity by at least 20% by 2035 (vs 2025), plus a “35 by 2035” electrification goal, spotlighting efficiency as a fast way to cut emissions and boost resilience. Climate Finance & Business: At Baku Climate Action Week, Azerbaijan’s climate leadership urged banks to make climate finance core business and called for stronger private-sector roles in green transition, implementation, and sustainable investment. Water Under Pressure: Mukhtar Babayev urged more efficient water use, linking droughts, heavier floods, and unpredictable supplies to the need for monitoring and early warning. Caspian Sea Retreat: Azerbaijan’s foreign minister flagged the falling Caspian Sea as an urgent climate-linked economic and security issue, while regional discussions warned of navigation and biodiversity impacts. Geothermal Momentum: SOCAR highlighted geothermal energy as a future growth sector and is seeking an equity partner to share project risks. Green Corridor Logistics: UNECE officials backed greening the Middle Corridor/Trans-Caspian route, stressing climate-ready port and intermodal design. Regional Connectivity: Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan moved to revive Caspian passenger ferry service (Kuryk–Baku–Kuryk) to boost tourism and Middle Corridor links. COP31 Support for Türkiye: Azerbaijan reaffirmed support for Türkiye hosting COP31, framing it as continuity for climate action and finance.

UN Climate Week in Baku: Azerbaijan hosted the UNFCCC Fourth Climate Week (CW4) opening ceremony, with Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov saying climate change is already hitting coasts, economies and financial markets, and urging faster action to turn COP commitments into results. Climate Finance & Private Sector: COP29 climate officials and business leaders at Baku Climate Action Week pushed for climate finance to become a core banking priority and for companies to embed emissions cuts into strategy, not just rely on governments. Geothermal Push: SOCAR flagged geothermal energy as a future growth sector, seeking an equity partner to share project risks while new legislation is prepared. Caspian Sea Retreat: Coverage highlighted the accelerating decline of the Caspian Sea over decades, linking it to climate pressures and reduced river inflows, with knock-on effects for biodiversity and regional shipping. Green Middle Corridor: UNECE officials and Azerbaijani partners discussed greening the Trans-Caspian/Middle Corridor by designing ports and intermodal terminals with climate and decarbonization in mind. Azerbaijan–World Bank Talks: The Economy Minister met the World Bank to review cooperation and explore new initiatives supporting SMEs and sustainable growth. MAMA “Mother Nature” Goes International: Leyla Aliyeva’s environmental art project opened in Madrid, using culture to raise awareness of nature protection.

UN Climate Week in Baku: The Fourth Climate Week opened with calls to turn COP31 pledges into real implementation, as UN officials stressed that climate ambition must land in cities, industry and communities—not just declarations. Youth & finance focus: COP31 leadership highlighted education and youth participation, while UN and partners warned the biggest gap remains financing to scale clean energy, electrification, grids, storage, methane cuts and resilient urban planning. Caspian Sea pressure on trade: Baku Port says seabed dredging to protect operations will start by end-2026 after an international tender, as falling Caspian levels already reduce cargo capacity on the Middle Corridor. Green cities & biodiversity: Azerbaijan plans to more than double Baku’s public green spaces by 2040, building interconnected “green” corridors to boost resilience, public health and biodiversity. COP31 partnership message: Azerbaijan’s parliament and climate leaders argued global mistrust makes cooperation harder, but climate remains the one agenda that can unite countries. Mine action cooperation: UN and Azerbaijan discussed procurement of demining equipment and a Center of Excellence to share Azerbaijan’s mine-clearance experience. Regional connectivity: Talks in Baku on the Middle Corridor urged a single transit operator and shared digital customs tools to speed sustainable freight flows.

Urban Climate Planning: Baku is set to expand public green spaces to about 2,500 hectares by 2040, adding roughly 1,000 hectares of new areas, with interconnected “green” corridors to boost biodiversity, health, mobility and climate resilience. Buildings & Standards: New energy-efficiency rules for construction aim to turn climate commitments into enforceable requirements. COP31 Youth Focus: At Baku Climate Action Week, COP31 leaders stressed climate education and youth participation, framing COP31 as “the COP of youth.” Circular Economy in Cities: UK House of Lords member Patricia Scotland urged cities to embed circular economy principles—reuse, repair, recycling—into planning, backed by financing and political support. Climate Finance & Implementation: UN and EBRD speakers warned that turning ambition into action hinges on integrated local planning and better project-finance coordination. Caspian Sea & Transport Costs: Falling Caspian levels are already cutting cargo capacity on the Middle Corridor and forcing costly dredging and possible berth extensions. Flood Risk & Early Warning: Flood frequency in Azerbaijan has risen sharply, and officials highlighted AI-enabled multi-hazard early warning systems, plus reservoir projects in Karabakh and East Zangazur to reduce flooding. Agriculture Resilience: Azerbaijan is shifting subsidies toward productivity—modern irrigation, certified seeds, and better practices—while expanding climate stations (aiming for 181) and using AI tools like a farmer scoring system. Wildfire Smoke Health: A WMO bulletin links extreme wildfire smoke to nearly 100,000 excess deaths per year (2010–2018), warning current risk models may underestimate smoke toxicity impacts.

Caspian Sea Water Crisis: Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Rauf Hajiyev says the Caspian Sea’s falling level is already reshaping coastlines, ecosystems and habitats, threatening species like the Caspian seal and sturgeon and hitting coastal cities, ports and transport. Climate Week in Baku: UNFCCC’s Fourth Climate Week in Baku is spotlighting sustainable cities, transport, water and agriculture, plus how AI can strengthen early warning systems for multiple hazards and support climate-resilient farming. Green Energy Push: Wind power output surged in Jan–Jun 2026, and officials say wind could rise about sixfold by year-end while solar grows too; Azerbaijan also framed itself as a renewable energy connector via regional “green corridors.” Carbon Markets & Finance: Panels at Baku Climate Action Week focused on carbon markets to unlock climate finance, voluntary credit quality and double-counting safeguards, with the Central Bank urging Azerbaijan to start building domestic carbon market infrastructure now. Methane Abatement: Experts discussed turning satellite and ground methane monitoring into verified, scalable emissions cuts. Energy Efficiency Rules: Azerbaijan is moving toward an energy efficiency passport for construction permits (from Jan 1, 2027), with officials linking it to upcoming hospital designs in liberated territories. Emergency Preparedness: Azerbaijan’s Emergency Situations Ministry representatives took part in an international integrated security exhibition, meeting counterparts on disaster prevention and response.

Baku Climate Action Week 2026: Azerbaijan’s UNFCCC Climate Week event is pushing climate action from talks to delivery, with sessions on cross-border renewable energy certificates and carbon markets aimed at making green power trade and climate finance more trusted and interoperable across the South Caucasus, Black Sea and Central Asia. Methane and carbon integrity: Experts discussed accelerating methane abatement by linking satellite, aerial and ground monitoring to repair decisions, while SOCAR Green highlighted rising scrutiny over voluntary carbon credit quality and the need to prevent double counting. Climate finance push: UNFCCC officials stressed that transparency is key to turning pledges into measurable results, with Azerbaijan-backed momentum toward COP31 and new climate finance targets. Energy transition in Azerbaijan: Deputy Energy Minister Elnur Soltanov said renewables are set to reach 34% by end-2027, while IRENA called the transition both economic and strategic, with Azerbaijan aiming for 2 GW of green projects by 2027. Buildings and electrification: Azerbaijan will require an energy efficiency passport for construction permits from Jan 1, 2027, and SOCAR plans to electrify offshore compressor systems by replacing gas turbines with electric equipment.

UN Climate Week in Baku: The UNFCCC’s Fourth Climate Week officially kicked off in Baku (Sept 7–11), running alongside Baku Climate Action Week 2026, with sessions focused on energy transition, climate finance, and industrial decarbonization ahead of COP31. Clean power push: Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said wind generation is expected to nearly sixfold and solar output to rise by over 26% by year-end, arguing that grids, storage, and energy efficiency are key to a clean, secure transition. Climate risk context: A new climate-focused piece highlights how extreme heat, wildfires, and drought are intensifying globally, stressing that water-cycle disruption is driving wider economic and health impacts. Biodiversity & conservation: Two Eurasian griffon vultures rehabilitated in Saudi Arabia have settled as residents in Armenia and Iraq after long regional journeys, with tracking data showing they stayed close to their new home ranges. Cultural heritage under pressure: Reports say Azerbaijan authorities destroyed Shushi’s historic Old Armenian-Russian cemetery and medieval khachkars, with satellite imagery cited as showing the site erased in May 2026. UN cooperation: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev met the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator to discuss reconstruction, humanitarian demining, and environmental challenges, including ecological concerns in the South Caucasus.

Climate Finance & COP31 Prep: Azerbaijan is gearing up for the 4th UNFCCC Climate Week in Baku (Sept 7–11) alongside Baku Climate Action Week 2026, with sessions focused on practical climate action, climate finance, and implementation ahead of COP31. Energy Security: Europe’s gas squeeze is reshaping the region’s energy picture, and Azerbaijan is set to play a bigger role as markets adjust away from Russian supply. El Niño Risks: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is set to intensify into a very strong event through early 2027, raising risks of extreme heat, floods, and drought. UN Cooperation: President Ilham Aliyev met the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator, with discussions covering reconstruction, humanitarian demining, and environmental challenges in post-conflict areas. Mine Action & Urban Recovery: Azerbaijan’s mine action push remains central in UN and international talks, including efforts to turn demining into “peace infrastructure” for safer settlements. Biodiversity/Conservation: Two Eurasian griffon vultures rehabilitated in Saudi Arabia have settled as residents in Armenia and Iraq after long regional movements, highlighting cross-border wildlife recovery efforts.

Climate Finance & COP31 Prep: Azerbaijan is gearing up for the 4th UNFCCC Climate Week in Baku (Sept 7–11) alongside Baku Climate Action Week, with sessions focused on practical climate action, implementation and climate finance ahead of COP31. COP31 Implementation Push: Türkiye’s COP31 presidency plans to shift negotiations from pledges to investable projects, linking climate action to energy security, cities, water and food resilience. El Niño Risk Alert: The World Meteorological Organization warns El Niño is set to intensify into a very strong event through early 2027, raising risks of extreme heat, floods, and drought worldwide. UN-Azerbaijan Cooperation: President Ilham Aliyev met the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator to discuss reconstruction, humanitarian demining, and environmental challenges, including ecological concerns in transboundary areas. Mine Action as “Peace Infrastructure”: Azerbaijan’s mine action conference in Baku continues to frame demining as a foundation for safe settlement and urban recovery. Wildlife Conservation: Rehabilitated Eurasian griffon vultures released from Saudi Arabia have settled in Armenia and Iraq after long regional journeys, highlighting cross-border biodiversity protection.