BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 8. Agriculture and
climate risks cannot be assessed separately, and agriculture is
expected to be one of the key topics of discussion at COP31,
Trend's
correspondent reports from the event.


COP29 President and Representative of the President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan for Climate Issues Mukhtar Babayev said this
at a roundtable titled “Harmony in Action: Partnerships for
Climate-Resilient Agriculture,” held as part of Baku Climate Action
Week.


He said Azerbaijan is currently preparing for COP31, while a
large delegation from Türkiye is participating in the events.


“Perhaps one of the first issues to be addressed at COP31 in
Türkiye will be agriculture and farming. Because today, the impacts
and risks stemming from the climate are so closely linked to the
development of agriculture that it is impossible to consider
climate risks and agriculture separately,” Babayev said.


He noted that while climate change affects agriculture,
agriculture itself also affects climate processes.


“Today, the processes taking place in the climate even depend on
the processes taking place in agriculture. Therefore, all these are
very closely interconnected areas,” the presidential representative
emphasized.


Babayev said that issues related to agriculture and climate
change have been studied seriously in Azerbaijan for the third
consecutive year, and relevant programs have been adopted.


He specifically highlighted the role of the Ministry of
Agriculture in this area.


“We are very grateful to the leadership and team of the Ministry
of Agriculture that, for the third year already, this issue has
been studied very seriously in Azerbaijan, relevant programs have
been adopted, and the Ministry of Agriculture has maintained its
leadership in these programs and has been carrying out the work at
a high level,” Babayev added.


According to him, it is important to expand scientific research
on agriculture and climate issues, take experts’ views into account
and strengthen cooperation with international partners.







Babayev said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also
plays an important role in this area.


“FAO plays a very major role in the work being carried out in
the agricultural sector around the world and in Azerbaijan, as well
as in implementing programs,” he emphasized.


The presidential representative for climate issues noted that
Azerbaijan is interested in discussing agriculture and climate
issues with a broader audience.


He also said he supports incorporating expert views expressed at
the event into the country’s relevant programs and documents.


The second day of the Fourth Climate Week (CW4) of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is being held in
Baku.


The second day has focused primarily on sustainable cities,
transportation, water resources and agriculture.


Government and state representatives from various countries,
international organizations, experts, financial institutions, the
private sector and civil society are participating in the
events.


Baku Climate Action Week, which is being held for the third
time, is taking place this year for the first time in parallel with
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Climate
Week. A number of sessions, panel discussions and other events on
combating climate change, climate finance, sustainable development
and accelerating climate action will be held as part of the Fourth
Climate Week and Baku Climate Action Week.


Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW 2026) will continue through Sept.
11.