Baku – November 15, 2024
The Economic Cooperation Organization, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Republic of Azerbaijan, organized the Soft Launch of the Clean Energy Centre for the ECO region (CECECO) on the margins of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The event was inaugurated by Mr. Parviz Shahbazov, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Dr. Asad M. Khan, Secretary General of ECO, and Mr. Ciyong Zou, UNIDO Deputy Director General and Managing Director of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Asad Khan highlighted the establishment of the ECO Clean Energy Centre in Baku as a significant testament to our collective commitment to the clean energy agenda. This Center is poised to play a key role in the transformational process, while also supporting the creation of the ECO Regional Electricity Market, focused on sustainable energy.
The primary goal of the project, he explained, is to enhance Member States access to modern, affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy services. The Centre will contribute to energy security and reduce the negative environmental impacts of the energy sector.
Minister Shahbazov, expressed confidence that the Centre would contribute to strengthening the regional energy security, combating climate change, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Ciyong Zou of UNIDO emphasized that CECECO would serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building, driving the transition to clean energy across the region.
The speakers underscored that the Center would foster favourable conditions for the development of regional sustainable energy markets and attract significant investments. They also highlighted that it will become a key component of the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC), a network coordinated by UNIDO in partnership with various economic communities in different regions. ECO and UNIDO expressed their gratitude to Azerbaijan for taking the initiative to host the Centre.
The event further proceeded to the panel discussion with insights on potential technical and financial support for the operationalization and activities of the Centre.
