COP29 Presidency and UNIDO Host Briefing on Energy Initiatives and Pledges
Saiful Islam
The COP29 Presidency, in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), convened a hybrid briefing at the Vienna International Centre under the theme “COP29 Energy Initiatives and Pledges: Progress and Next Steps.” The event aimed to build on the momentum of COP29, strengthen continuity in global climate and energy engagement, and mobilize support in the lead-up to COP30.
The session gathered in-person and virtual participants from Vienna-based diplomatic missions, national governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society. Discussions focused on promoting participation in global energy initiatives, reinforcing multilateral dialogue, and outlining concrete pathways to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems.
Opening the session, Mr. Heng Liu, Senior Technical Advisor on Climate and Technology Partnership at UNIDO, welcomed participants and moderated the discussion. Ms. Fatou Haidara, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of Global Partnerships and External Relations at UNIDO, and Mr. Rovshan Sadigbayli, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to UNIDO, delivered opening remarks. Ms. Rana Ghoneim, Chief of the Division for Energy and Climate Action at UNIDO, followed with a presentation.
The COP29 Action Agenda Team, represented by Mr. Elmar Mammadov and Ms. Jala Ibrahimova, along with Ms. Lala Mehdiyeva and Mr. Ashraf Shikhaliyev, Head of International Cooperation at Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy, provided a detailed update on the COP29 energy initiatives.
According to the briefing, the Green Energy Zones and Corridors Pledge has been endorsed by 57 countries and 9 non-Party stakeholders. The Hydrogen Declaration has received the support of 63 countries and 15 non-Party stakeholders, while the Energy Storage and Grids Pledge has gained endorsements from 65 countries and 42 non-Party stakeholders.
All pledges remain open for further endorsement. Parties and non-Party stakeholders are invited to confirm their support by submitting a Note Verbale or formal letter to the COP29 Presidency via the dedicated email addresses: storageandgrids@cop29.az , zonesandcorridors@cop29.az , and hydrogen@cop29.az .
