The COP29 Green Zone, organized by the COP29 Presidency with a focus on community engagement, green transition, technological solutions, and global collaboration, opened on the first day of the international climate conference. The venue serves as a gathering place for diverse stakeholders, including government and private sector representatives, media, scientists, local communities, and civil society organizations, who are tackling climate issues. On the opening day, an event hosted by the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company was held, focusing on climate action and carbon neutrality.
Partnerships for a Sustainable Future and Discussions Towards Net-Zero Emissions
Discussions on Diverse Themes and Interactive Events
An event titled “Towards Net-Zero Carbon Emissions: COP29 Partnerships for a Sustainable Future” brought together various stakeholders to discuss COP29’s climate action initiatives. The panel discussion featured Ayan Najaf, Coordination Board Member and Spokesperson of the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company; Marina Olshanskaya, COP29’s Sustainability Advisor and Senior Climate Change and Green Finance Expert; Sabit Zeyniyev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Tamiz Shahar JSC; Rustam Gasimov, a seasoned Managing Director in the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry; and Dave Rosen, a New Zealand-based philanthropist and carbon markets expert. Topics discussed included waste management, renewable energy solutions, clean technologies, and GHG emission reduction.
Through the panel discussions, attendees gained insights into collaborative efforts for developing and implementing sustainability initiatives and learned about the efficient use of environmentally friendly resources. Discussions also focused on positioning COP29 as a benchmark for sustainable events.
On November 11, the first day of the conference, various companies hosted discussions and seminars on themes such as biodiversity conservation, renewable energy innovation, intergenerational cooperation in the pursuit of climate justice and sustainability, and the critical role of higher education in addressing climate change. The dynamic “Extreme Hangout” area featured performances and interactive sessions, with various activities taking place throughout the Green Zone.
On November 12, the second day, public events continued, including a panel discussion on corporate sustainability, co-hosted by the COP29 Azerbaijan Operating Company and COP29’s Principal Banking Partner, Azerbaijan International Bank.
The event, titled “Corporate Sustainability and Climate Action,” highlighted the critical role of businesses in mitigating the impacts of climate change and achieving global net-zero carbon targets. Panelists included Samir Mammadov, representative of the United Nations Global Compact; Taleh Tahirli, Deputy Chairman of ABB; Kaushik Burman, CEO of Spiro; Tahir Gozel, President of Qarabag FK; and Maria Peres, Lead Partner for GreenSpace Tech Hub Brazil by Deloitte and Partner of Innovation and Ventures.
The panel discussion emphasized sharing and integrating best practices in sustainability, particularly as private companies adopt sustainability as a core business strategy to strengthen climate change responses. Topics included the transition to low carbon, sustainable supply chains, and green technology innovation. Success stories and partnerships were introduced, demonstrating the importance of embedding sustainability into corporate operations and the influential role of the private sector in building a sustainable future.
The COP29 Green Zone attracted significant attention on both days, covering a wide range of topics, including the role of young women in fighting climate injustice, youth leadership in biodiversity and climate action, contributions of local communities to biodiversity conservation, the importance of diverse perspectives in climate action, and building synergies between climate and nature.