The Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, with support from UNESCAP, held a hybrid meeting to develop a roadmap for the country's energy sector, specifically focusing on implementing Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
Deputy Energy Minister Orkhan Zeynalov, in his opening remarks at the event, highlighted the critical role of achieving the 7th Sustainable Development Goal. The information on plans and targets for the development of renewable energy in our country, green energy projects, increasing the share of renewable energy in energy production, creating a green energy zone in Karabakh, East Zangezur and Nakhchivan, including energy efficiency and its main components, measures taken to prevent greenhouse gas emissions, Azerbaijan`s green energy interconnectors initiatives, green energy corridors projects were provided.
UN Resident Coordinator Vladanka Andreeva expressed her gratitude for the support provided by the country in the preparation of the roadmap. She shared her views on achieving a global financial consensus from the COP29 framework, as well as achieving a three-fold increase in global renewable energy capacity and two-fold increase in energy efficiency, and the importance of green energy initiatives implemented by Azerbaijan in this direction.
Director of Energy Division of UNESCAP Hongpeng Liu spoke about achieving the SDG 7, increasing the share of renewable energy use, achieving carbon neutrality goals, ensuring economic growth and energy transition, and gave information about the NEXSTEP module used in the preparation of strategic documents on the energy sector.
Then, Oleg Dzioubinski, Inter-regional Advisor of Sustainable Energy Division, UNECE provided information on supporting the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus in the preparation of the roadmap. Anis Zaman, Economic Affairs Officer of Energy Division of ESCAP spoke about the targets and indicators of the roadmap, its results, NEXSTEP methodology, LEAP program and its energy modeling scenarios and conducting trainings in the relevant direction in his speech on Introduction to NEXSTEP and SDG7 Roadmap development process.
Then, representatives from the Ministry of Energy Nargiz Baghirli, Rahid Asadov and Deputy Director of Azerbaijan Renewable Energy Agency Rena Humbatova made presentations on energy efficiency policy in Azerbaijan, prospects and current situation in the oil and gas sector, as well as the development of renewable energy in our country-policies and plans. In the speeches, it was noted that one of the goals of the roadmap is energy efficiency, and it was emphasized that energy efficiency is the basis of other sustainable development goals, such as sustainable cities and communities, good health and well-being. Energy efficiency policy and the tasks set for its implementation, measures taken to establish the Energy Efficiency Fund were discussed. It was also noted that close cooperation with foreign companies in the field of reducing emissions in the process of oil and gas operations. At the same time, detailed information was provided on the Action Plan of the socio-economic development strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2022-2026, existing legislation and implemented projects in the field of renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, electromobility, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), and the work done to expand the use of renewable energy.
At the end, questions on the project were answered and mutual exchange of views was held. The relevant government agencies operating in the relevant field and employees of special missions in the liberated territories attended at the event.
It should be noted that within the framework of the implementation of the roadmap, it is planned to prepare short- and long-term forecasts for the energy sector through the LEAP program, to increase the knowledge and skills of local specialists in this direction, in particular, to carry out trainings on energy modeling. This initiative is fully consistent with Azerbaijan's steps in the field of renewable energy and its national goals for the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Along with ensuring energy security and sustainability, the SDG 7 roadmap serves as a strategic tool to support the implementation of the country's international climate commitments. These types of projects have been implemented in Georgia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, developing relevant roadmaps are proceeding.
