BAKU: Preparations for the upcoming COP29, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, are nearing completion, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced during a meeting with Julien de Fraipont, the newly appointed Ambassador of Belgium to Azerbaijan. According to Trend News Agency, President Aliyev, while receiving the credentials of Ambassador de Fraipont, highlighted the rapid and successful progression of preparations, despite having less than a year for planning. The President also shared insights into the pre-COP event, which he described as a testament to the successful organizational efforts. During the meeting, Aliyev expressed Azerbaijan's commitment to acting as a pivotal connector among diverse global regions in its upcoming role as chair of COP29. He emphasized the importance of transitioning to green energy, noting that Azerbaijan has already made significant advancements in this area. "Part of the planned projects has already been implemented, and the share of renewables in the energy se ctor will significantly increase in the coming years," Aliyev stated. He further expressed readiness to collaborate with Belgian companies to advance these green initiatives.