General Information

The President of Azerbaijan declared 2024 as the "Green World Solidarity Year", emphasizing the country's dedication to environmental sustainability. This year is particularly significant as Azerbaijan will host the prestigious COP29 conference, a global platform for nations to discuss and negotiate climate actions. This event is critical as it serves as reinforcing the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate change and highlighting the nation's active participation in the global climate change discourse. Hosting COP29 offers Azerbaijan a unique opportunity to showcase its commitment to sustainable development and to lead by example in implementing green initiatives. Such initiatives have been traditionally embedded in the country’s socio-economic development, as showcased by the 2022-2026 Socio-Economic Development Strategy and Azerbaijan 2030 National Priorities. These documents include a strong focus on clean environment and green economy, with comprehensive and sustained efforts directed towards achieving this goal. As mentioned in National Priorities, finding a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability is key for long-term prosperity and Azerbaijan has consistent efforts to achieve this balance. One of the strategic steps has been the formulation of ESG subgroup under the Commission for Business Environment and International Ratings of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2022, with an objective to further promote ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles in business practices. This subgroup, including representatives from state institutions, experts, entrepreneurs, higher education institutions, and civil society organizations, aims to unify efforts and foster a conceptual vision for ESG. The country has formulated a Strategic Vision document for the medium term and the Commission has approved road maps to ensure systematic activity in the ESG field. As part of the implementation of the 2023 ESG Roadmap, an in-depth analysis of the current ESG landscape in Azerbaijan was conducted. This included studying international best practices and carrying out comprehensive surveys. The ESG Online Platform is another environment-focused project led by the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings to continue the initiative of the ESG Summit organized as one of the events of 29 Climate Conversations: The Road to COP29 initiative started by UN Azerbaijan. This platform serves as a central hub for ESG-related resources, initiatives, and community engagement, aimed at driving sustainable development and climate action in alignment with COP29 objectives. As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, the launch of the ESG Online Platform, signifies a pivotal step in the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability. This conference aligns with Azerbaijan's broader efforts to enhance its green economy initiatives, as highlighted in its strategic vision for sustainable development. By fostering collaboration among government, business, and civil society, the ESG Online Platform will serve as a vital resource for driving climate action and achieving the ESG goals.