The Regional Ecological Summit (RES-2026), initiated by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, began in Astana on April 22.
Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, participated in the summit.
The participants viewed the exhibition pavilions of the 2026 Regional Ecological Summit, including those of Azerbaijan.
Addressing the plenary session of the summit, Ali Asadov emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to environmental protection and combating climate change as an integral part of the national and international sustainable development agenda.
He noted that hosting the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku was the country’s most significant contribution to uniting international efforts on key issues of the global climate agenda.
His remarks also focused on water security issues. He stressed that, amid growing global challenges posed by climate change, increasing freshwater scarcity, and mounting pressure on water resources, water security remains a priority on the international agenda.
In this context, Azerbaijan expressed its support for Kazakhstan’s initiative to establish a specialized international water organization under the auspices of the United Nations.
Addressing environmental challenges in the Caspian Sea, the Prime Minister underlined that one of the most pressing issues is the rapid decline in its water level.
He reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s commitment to regional cooperation, noting the country’s consistent efforts to strengthen collaboration among Caspian littoral states to effectively address this challenge.
He also noted that, on Azerbaijan’s initiative, bilateral working groups have been established with Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan to study the causes of the Caspian Sea level decline and take appropriate preventive measures.
Drawing attention to climatic factors affecting environmental degradation, Ali Asadov highlighted the consistent measures being implemented in Azerbaijan to address these challenges.
“We are actively developing renewable energy sources and prioritizing the transition to green energy. Special attention is being given to the creation of green energy zones in the liberated territories, where hydropower projects are actively being implemented,” the Prime Minister said.
He also stressed that, building on the successful experience of COP29, Azerbaijan is preparing to host the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in May this year in cooperation with UN-Habitat.
Participants were further informed about preparations for another major event Azerbaijan will host in June — World Environment Day 2026.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan intends to use these platforms to advance the global sustainable development agenda and strengthen international cooperation in urban planning and environmental protection.
Concluding his remarks, Ali Asadov underscored that Azerbaijan remains committed to the principles of international cooperation and is ready to actively contribute to achieving shared goals.
