Digitalization and Transport at COP29: thematic days, initiatives, expectations
This is the fourth day that the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) has been taking place in Baku. The efforts made towards prevention of climate change, the progress achieved are evaluated, and the best solutions are discussed.
On 12-13 November, the highest-level event within COP29 – the World Leaders’ Summit on Climate Action – took place. COP29 thematic days start from today.
During the 7 thematic days, climate change issues will be discussed in various fields: from finance to education, from agriculture to urbanization. The organized events will play the role of platforms where experiences, ideas are exchanged, cooperation is established and developed to accelerate the elimination of the climate crisis.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan will present its initiatives in the areas under its responsibility within the framework of 2 thematic days. The Ministry is the co-organizer of four events in total.
First time in COP history: Digitalization Day
On 16 November, a Science, Technology and Innovation/Digitalization Day will be held at COP29. It is the first time in the history of COP that the Day of Digitization has been organized. It was included in the program on the initiative of Azerbaijan – COP29 Presidency, who chose the path of digital development and declared the formation of a modern innovation space a national priority.
Digital technologies play an important role in the fight against climate change. But it also has its disadvantages, such as energy consumption and e-waste.
The first Digitalization Day will encourage parties to work together on sustainable digital transformation by mitigating the environmental impact of technologies.
Green Digital Action
A high-level roundtable on Green Digital Action will be co-organized by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport with the COP29 Presidency and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The event will explore how digital technologies can transform climate action.
The roundtable will discuss integrating digital innovation into climate strategies, strengthening climate monitoring and adaptation using digital tools, and addressing the environmental impacts of digitalization.
At the same time, there will be an exchange of views on showcasing successful sustainability initiatives and creating opportunities for future collaboration to align digital transformation with global climate goals.
The roundtable will result in the adoption of a Declaration on Green Digital Action. The Declaration envisages accelerating digitalization, reducing emissions in the ICT sector and increasing access to green digital technologies, taking climate change into account.
The document is open to states, industry organizations, companies, associations, members of civil society and academic institutions. To join the Declaration, interested parties may contact digitalisation@cop29.az .
Transport Day
Other events co-organized by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport will take place on 20 November – the Day of Urbanization, Tourism and Transport.
On that day, the impact of transport on climate change and its role in climate action will be considered.
The transport sector accounts for 23% of global CO2 emissions. Since 1990, the transport and industrial sectors have seen the fastest growth in emissions. If the situation continues as it is now, emissions from the transport sector are projected to double by 2050.
In addition to reducing emissions, greening the transport sector plays an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Green urban transport
One of the events to be held during the Urbanization, Tourism and Transport Day will be a Ministerial Round Table on Green Urban Transport.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan is going to organize this event together with the International Transport Forum (ITF) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), a leading UN organization.
The aim of the event is to take an in-depth look at the topic of greening urban transport.
The roundtable is expected to develop strategies related to the integration of a sustainable urban transport system into national, regional and city planning structures.
The event will facilitate closer cooperation between governments and stakeholders to accelerate the decarbonization of urban transport.
To ensure the sustainability of urban transport systems, compact and multi-purpose development of cities as well as electrification of public transport, operation of electric buses, expansion of metro or tram services are required. The implementation of sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure through the creation of safe pedestrian and cycling routes, charging infrastructure for electric buses and dedicated lanes is at the heart of the action in this direction.
Sustainable, Digital Middle Corridor and beyond
As part of the Day of Urbanization, Tourism and Transport, a ministerial round table will be held on Sustainable Digital Middle Corridor and Beyond.
The event will be jointly organized by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MDDT), the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), as well as the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The roundtable will discuss recent achievements, as well as upcoming initiatives to promote sustainability and digitalization in the Middle Corridor and other corridors globally.
The event will convene ministers and heads of organizations from the region and beyond.
The roundtable will discuss successful practices related to the development of green, sustainable transport infrastructure, examples of the use of digitalization and intelligent transport systems to improve energy efficiency and operational connectivity. There will also be an exchange of views on the role of innovative technologies in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in freight transport, the potential role of automation and artificial intelligence in ensuring sustainable transport links.