“ASAN Service” Organized International Forum on Green Governance at COP29
On November 14, 2024, the Ministerial Forum on Green Advanced Governance, was held in Baku as part of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The event, held in the Blue Zone of the Baku Olympic Stadium, was jointly organized by the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP) and Apolitical Group Limited.
The forum brought together representatives of governments, international organizations, leading experts and academic circles to promote interactive dialogue and cooperation. In total, heads of relevant ministries from nearly 20 countries, representatives of 7 international organizations, various companies and research institutions participated in the event.
At the opening ceremony, Ulvi Mehdiyev, Chairman of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armida Salsiah Aliscahbana, UN Deputy Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), Salim bin Muhammad Al-Malik, General Director of ICESCO, Robin Scott, Executive Director of Apolitical Group Limited, and Zamir Igbal, Vice-President of the Islamic Development Bank made speeches.
The speakers emphasized the importance of international cooperation in expanding green technologies, advancing innovative governance, and aligning public services with environmental and social sustainability. Particular attention was given to the ways in which innovative models, such as the “ASAN Service” model, can contribute to sustainable infrastructure, promote inclusivity and strengthen international cooperation in tackling climate change.
The first session was dedicated to the topic “Enhancing Innovations in Public Services to Address Environmental Challenges”. The heads of relevant ministries from Brazil, Zimbabwe, Barbados, Kenya and Gambia delivered speeches during the session. The key discussions focused on enhancing the skills of public servants to ensure sustainability and efficiency in green governance, integrating the development processes of public services with global climate goals, and exploring innovative approaches within this framework.
The second session was dedicated to the topic “The Role of Global Cooperation in Green Governance”. Leaders from the UN, the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries (SESRIC), as well as representatives from relevant institutions in Serbia, Kazakhstan and Senegal, delivered speeches. The main discussions focused on ensuring sustainability in the delivery of public services, optimizing operational efficiency, promoting the development and adoption of green technologies, and the role of government institutions in implementing nationally determined contributions and international climate commitments. During the forum, the heads of relevant ministries of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, as well as Uganda and Ethiopia, delivered presentations on best practices in the respective field. A special session dedicated to the topic of artificial intelligence practices, featured speeches by leaders of the relevant institutions of Egypt and the Romanian organization specializing in this field.
The forum, moderated by renowned journalist and futurist Ian Khan (CNN, TEDx, Forbes), concluded with closing remarks and discussions. Information on the “Transition to Alternative Energy Sources at ASAN Service Centres” project was shared, accompanied by a video presentation on the initiative.
