BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 10. A Memorandum of
Understanding will be signed with the Mingachevir city as part of
the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM)
initiative, Witold Sartorius, Head of the Technical Support Project
Team for CoM participants in Azerbaijan, said at an event organized
by the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan in cooperation with the EU,
Trend
reports.


Sartorius explained that the technical support project for CoM
participants is not a standalone initiative but is integrated into
existing programs and initiatives discussed by previous
speakers.


“The main goal is to support municipalities in developing
back-ups, preparing project proposals, and identifying funding
opportunities to achieve real changes locally. Over the past two
years, several municipalities have already prepared back-ups, but
not all have received financing. Our current task is to return to
these five municipalities and refine their project proposals,” he
said.


He added that a second goal of the initiative is to involve an
additional 20 municipalities in developing back-ups focused on
sustainable energy and climate plans.


“All 25 municipalities will receive support in preparing
concrete project proposals and jointly exploring funding
opportunities. The project spans thirty months and includes three
phases, from preparatory activities to the practical implementation
of projects. Additional measures are planned to increase awareness
and visibility of the initiative, including participation in events
and information support,” Sartorius noted.


The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy initiative was
launched by the EU in 2008. Since 2015, the initiative has expanded
globally.


The main goals of the Covenant of Mayors include:







- reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency
measures and expanding the use of renewable energy;


- increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change;


- strengthening cooperation between municipalities, local
governments, and central governments;


- ensuring safe, sustainable, and reliable access to energy for
all.


The Covenant of Mayors is signed by local and regional
authorities committed to achieving the above-mentioned goals and
voluntarily implementing EU climate and energy targets.


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