1. BICFIT Dialogue: Uniting SMEs with Green Transitions
WAIPA CEO Mr. Ismail Ersahin participated in the official launch of the COP29 BICFIT Dialogue and the announcement of the Baku Global Coalition for SMEs Green Transitions in Azerbaijan. Co-led by the COP29 Presidency, UNCTAD, and UNDP, this initiative bridges climate finance, investment, and trade with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Baku Initiative for Climate Finance, Investment, and Trade (BICFIT) provides a platform to:
- Connect leaders across sectors to unlock sustainable investment and trade opportunities
- Foster innovative partnerships for SMEs embracing green transitions
- Bridge the gap between ambitious climate goals and tangible socio-economic benefits
During the “Reflections from Leaders” session, Mr. Ersahin emphasized the vital role of IPAs in driving sustainable investments and fostering partnerships for inclusive socio-economic benefits aligned with the 1.5°C target.
The event emphasized actionable solutions, including best practice sharing, partnership building, and aligning investments with the SDGs for fair and inclusive transitions.
2. WEF and AZPROMO Panel: Advancing Climate FDI
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) and AZPROMO Panel held during COP29, Mr. Ersahin discussed the importance of the Climate FDI Coalition during the session titled “Accelerating Public-Private Collaboration to Advance Climate FDI.”
Mr. Ersahin highlighted the Coalition’s objectives, which include:
- Facilitating regular engagement and knowledge exchange between stakeholders
- Supporting IPAs in developing bankable Climate FDI projects
- Expanding coalition membership and mobilizing resources
The Climate FDI Coalition, as emphasized by Mr. Ersahin, equips IPAs with tools to attract and facilitate investments that align with climate goals and sustainable development priorities. This initiative comes at a pivotal time as global cooperation in climate-focused investments becomes increasingly essential.
This coalition, championed by WAIPA, plays a crucial role in equipping IPAs to attract impactful investments while addressing global climate challenges.
3. International Solar Alliance Panel: Championing Renewable Energy Investments
During COP29, Mr. Ersahin also participated in the International Solar Alliance Panel titled “Financing the Future: Scaling Solar and Renewable Energy in Developing Economies.”
In his address, Mr. Ersahin emphasized the role of IPAs in creating ecosystems that support renewable energy investments. He highlighted key initiatives, such as:
- Collaborating with governments to advocate for stable and transparent renewable energy policies
- Promoting public-private partnerships to develop and implement renewable energy projects
- Establishing renewable energy special economic zones to attract investments
WAIPA extends gratitude to the COP29 Presidency, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, UNDP, World Trade Organization, and International Trade Centre for co-organizing these impactful dialogues. We are honored to collaborate with global leaders to shape a greener, more resilient future.
