Around 70,000 to 80,000 foreign guests to visit Azerbaijan during COP29 in 2024 - President Aliyev
BAKU. Dec 15 (Interfax) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expects tens of thousands of foreign representatives and guests to visit Azerbaijan for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in 2024.
"Tens of thousands of foreign representatives will visit our country for COP29, and Baku will turn into a world center for two weeks," Aliyev said in a speech at a meeting on Friday dedicated to COP29 that will be hosted by Azerbaijan in 2024.
"By some estimates, approximately 70,000 to 80,000 foreign guests will visit Azerbaijan during this period," Aliyev added.
Aliyev described the decision to host COP29 by Azerbaijan as a "great success". "This decision was taken a few days ago by all countries of the world, and Azerbaijan thus was treated with high trust and high respect once again," Aliyev said.
"We are worthy of this, we have very strong positions globally as a result of our policy. The respect for Azerbaijan in the international arena is growing day by day and we have earned this respect with our actions, deeds and policies," Aliyev added.
"The independent policy, fundamental position, commitment and fidelity to international law, and at the same time restoring sovereignty throughout the country has even more heightened respect for us," Aliyev said.
"This event [the decision to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan] is important also because this decision was taken two and a half months following the counter-terrorism operation, and the entire world community thus has expressed its support for Azerbaijan once again. I should also note that the COP29 conference in Baku became possible with the consent of all members of the international community. Thus, the unanimous stance was demonstrated here again," Aliyev said.
"COP29 is one of the most prestigious international events in the world," he said. "It is not inferior to the United Nations General Assembly in terms of representation of countries. Therefore, we should immediately start all of the preparations. We do not have much time, less than 11 months," Aliyev said.
Aliyev expressed confidence that Azerbaijan will host COP29 at a high level, "and it will be another great success of our country and our people."
"At the same time, Azerbaijan as an oil and gas country will prove itself in this sphere, too, and everyone in the world will see again that our agenda is linked to 'green' energy. The creation of 'green' types of energy and its delivery to the global markets is currently a priority of our energy policy. This is the reality and the whole world will see it once again," Aliyev said.
COP29 is expected to be hosted by Azerbaijan in November 2024.