Within the framework of Baku Energy Week, the next Investment Forum on Energy Transition in Central Asia, jointly organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was held.
In his opening remarks, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov noted that the Forum, first held in Baku during COP29, has already evolved into a platform for continuous dialogue and practical cooperation. The Minister noted that the APRECA initiative, launched by IRENA, serves as an important mechanism enhancing connectivity between Central Asia and neighboring regions in the fields of renewable energy and critical materials, advancing the energy transition and expanding investment opportunities. It was noted that energy security, climate-related objectives, technological innovation and growing energy demand have become key drivers shaping new realities in the global energy system. While the rapid development of artificial intelligence and data centers has increased electricity demand, adapting energy systems and networks to this transformation has become one of the top priorities.
The Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor project is one of the most important initiatives of regional energy integration. It was noted that the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan formed an important basis for the establishment of the Trans-Caspian Energy Corridor. "Under the leadership of the President of the Republic of AzerbaijanmMr. Ilham Aliyev, the development of cooperation in the field of renewable energy occupies an important place in the policy of transforming Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Caspian region into a unified geopolitical space and strengthening strategic partnership and allied relations between our countries. The establishment of the strategically important Trans-Caspian energy corridor, which will interconnect the power systems of our countries, is fully aligned with the key priorities of this policy. At the same time, this project creates broad opportunities for the development of the Middle Corridor as a green energy bridge linking Europe with Asia and China via the Caspian Sea.
Alongside Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye, which will host COP31, also delivered speech.
The Forum continued with Ministerial Dialogue on Promoting Renewables-Driven Energy Transition in Central Asia. The issues of financing the energy transition, developing regional energy links, promoting investments in renewable energy projects and strengthening cooperation between Central Asia and neighboring regions were discussed. Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jurabek Mirzamahmudov, Minister of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic Taalaibek Ibraev, Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan Sharif Safarali Makhmadzoda, as well as the representatives from ACWA Power, World Bank, EBRD and UNIDO participated at the event. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP attended the Forum in a video format.
Within the framework of the event, the document Roadmap for Sustainable Development Goal 7 for Azerbaijan was presented, reflecting Azerbaijan's long-term vision in the field of energy transition.
