COP29 will take place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

In an interview with Ahram Online, Polukhov emphasized the significance of COP29 not only for Azerbaijan but for the entire world. Globally, he noted that one of the key objectives of COP29 in Baku is to establish a financial mechanism for pollution prevention projects and to clarify the responsibilities of sponsors and donors.

The ambassador also highlighted that Azerbaijan is committed to reducing its emissions by 30 percent, setting a precedent for other oil- and gas-producing nations.

Ahram Online: What are Azerbaijan's goals in hosting the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in November in the capital Baku?

Elkhan Polukhov: COP29 is a very important event, not only for Azerbaijan but for the whole world. It is the largest UN event, even bigger than the UN General Assembly meeting that takes place in New York every September. The COP conference is a key forum for many countries, organizations, and figures to come together and talk about issues concerning climate change and the environment. These are key issues that worry the whole world, as we see pollution around the world rising.

COP29 will be a continuation of ideas that emerged during COP27 hosted by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh, where participants adopted the idea of building a financial framework to launch projects, especially in developing countries, to prevent pollution. This would be done through the help of larger and industrial countries that are major polluters and were urged to decrease carbon and other gas emissions.

One of the main goals of COP29 in Baku is to set up the financial mechanism for projects preventing pollution and identify the responsibility of sponsors and donors.

Azerbaijan has been working on this for some time, and we started during our chairmanship of the Non-Allied Movement three years ago. During this time, we established a special model for other countries, including a fund that will help island countries. They are at the forefront of facing the consequences of global warming since ocean levels are rising.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is obliged to decrease its emissions by 30 percent, which sets an example for other oil- and gas-producing countries. We are also investing a lot of funds and effort in green energy and a green economy.

I am also happy to announce that COP29 in Baku will continue the Youth COP that Egypt hosted at COP27. In Sharm El-Sheikh, youth were involved with their ideas and visions about the future of the planet so that world leaders could hear their voices. There will be several sessions and topics, and we hope to come out with concrete results.

AO: Another important event on the sidelines of COP 29 is the International Summit for Religious Leaders. Could you shed some light on its aim and significance?

EP: The International Summit for Religious Leaders is part of COP29 meetings, where religious leaders will gather for the first time to discuss the importance of environmental issues as part of faith. We will hear from leaders and representatives from different religions about their visions and how religious teachings in Islam, Christianity, and other faiths can help decrease emissions and global pollution.

I am happy to announce that the grand imam of Al-Azhar has confirmed he will be in Baku, as well as the Egyptian Minister of Religious Endowments.

We hope this summit of religious leaders will continue at the next COP conference in Brazil, so it does not only include business circles, governmental officials, and organizations, but also religious leaders who come with their ideas, advice, and opinions on this issue.

AO: What is your gauge on bilateral relations between Egypt and Azerbaijan?

EP: Since we established diplomatic relations in the early 1990s, our bilateral relations are at an all-time high, with the exchange of frequent visits by top officials from both countries. Last year’s visit by President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi to Azerbaijan was the first by an Egyptian president. This year, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev visited Egypt.

During both visits, several protocols were signed to strengthen bilateral relations, not only on the political level but also in other areas. Both visits demonstrated the friendly and close ties between both leaders.

President El-Sisi has also received an invitation to attend COP29 in November, and we hope he will attend.

I think economic ties between the two countries can be improved to reach the level of bilateral political cooperation. Both countries have huge potential to boost cooperation in business, trade, and other economic fields. We are planning to hold the next meeting of the bilateral Commission on Trade and Investment soon after COP29. We are working diligently on this.

AO: Can you elaborate more on Azerbaijan's position concerning Israel’s war on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank?

EP: During his visit to Cairo in June, President Aliyev clearly confirmed our position, as it has been reiterated repeatedly in various international forums. He stated that Azerbaijan supports a two-state solution and that a Palestinian state must be created with its capital in East Jerusalem. Also, people have the right to live in peace and prosperity.

We never support attacks against civilians and call on both sides to come to the table to negotiate and find a peaceful solution. Azerbaijan is prepared to provide its support to this process and has already allocated financial support to Palestinians in Gaza who are suffering. We hope that leaders on both sides, Palestinian and Israeli, will soon come to understand that aims and goals cannot be achieved through war, only around the negotiating table, and that civilians should not suffer from this situation.

Every day, we are witnessing people losing their lives, and the international community must play a bigger role in ending this suffering.