Antalya:A significant share of Azerbaijan's water resources originates from beyond its borders, underscoring the need for transboundary cooperation. Baku and the entire Absheron Peninsula depend on freshwater supplies from outside the peninsula. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP29 and Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues, made these remarks during a session on water security at the Azerbaijan pavilion at the 31st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Babayev recalled that President Ilham Aliyev approved the 'State Program on Improving Water Supply, Stormwater, and Wastewater Systems in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula for 2026-2035.' This program plans to enhance drinking water supply, sewerage, and stormwater systems, construct new treatment facilities and collectors, manage water risks, and find alternative water sources.
Babayev highlighted the Caspian Sea desalination project, a public-private partnership with ACWA Power, as a practical example of these initiatives. With an initial capacity of 300,000 cubic meters per day, this project aims to provide an additional water source for Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, reducing the region's reliance on existing freshwater resources.
The COP29 President emphasized that the desalination project illustrates the role of international cooperation in implementing national climate change adaptation priorities. He also noted the importance of public needs being identified by the state, while private investment and expertise contribute to infrastructure development, ensuring reliable and affordable water supplies.
Reflecting on the outcomes of COP29 in Azerbaijan, Babayev noted Baku's focus on climate finance as a key element in addressing environmental challenges. He urged governments, companies, and financial institutions at COP31 to learn from existing experiences and invest in projects in countries facing water scarcity, aiming to ensure a reliable water supply that can withstand climate change impacts.