A round table discussion titled “COP29: Initiatives and Calls for a Green Future with the Presidency of Azerbaijan” was held at the Romanian-American University, one of Romania’s leading universities with five thousand students, Report informs.

The event was jointly organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Romania and the Romanian-American University.

The round table was attended by university leadership, representatives of Romanian think tanks, and foreign and local students studying at the university.

Opening the event, university rector Professor Costel Negricea emphasized the importance of holding this event dedicated to Azerbaijan’s COP29 Presidency at the Romanian-American University for establishing dialogue between academic community and state institutions. He spoke about the university’s participation in scientific projects aimed at climate change impacts and protecting the planet’s ecology.

Ambassador Gudsi Osmanov briefed participants about Azerbaijan’s strategic goals, approaches, and priorities within COP29, cooperation with global companies in renewable energy projects, and prospects of the Caspian-European Union Green Energy Corridor. The diplomat also highlighted Azerbaijan’s innovative initiatives for the COP process, providing detailed information about the creation of the Climate Finance Action Fund, Global Ceasefire Call, and other initiatives. He called on young people to take more responsibilities in protecting nature and ecology.

Vlad Stoicescu, president of Romania’s Sustainable Fuel Association, discussed climate change problems behind natural disasters worldwide, especially in Europe, and addressed the essence of Azerbaijan’s initiatives. He evaluated Azerbaijan’s participation in alternative hydrogen and green energy projects as an exemplary step for all regional countries, despite being a gas producing and supplying country. Stoicescu noted the importance of global steps to reduce traditional resource usage in energy production to prevent environmental pollution and the significance of discussing ecological problems by world leaders on platforms like COP29.

Ioana Vasiliu, researcher at Energy Policy Group (EPG), Romania’s leading energy think tank, provided information about the planned participation of Romanian NGO representatives at COP29. She emphasized that fighting climate change is one of Romania’s priority areas and discussed state and non-state institutions’ contributions to ecology.