Azay Guliyev addresses the 23rd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention in Potoroz, 2 December 2023PORTOROŽ, 7 December 2023 – Parliamentarians have an important role to play in promoting the green transition and addressing environmental challenges across the Mediterranean, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan) said today in Portorož. Speaking at the 23rd Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP 23), Guliyev pointed out that beyond shaping national legislation, lawmakers also allocate resources and hold governments accountable for their commitments, including those foreseen in the Barcelona Convention and its seven Protocols.
“Governments, parliaments and civil society should join forces to promote green development across the Mediterranean basin while safeguarding its delicate environment,” he said.
Guliyev, who serves as Chair of the OSCE PA’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, highlighted the work of the Parliamentary Assembly in the economic and environmental dimension, noting that the Mediterranean basin is a core focus of the PA’s efforts. He pointed out that the OSCE PA officially contributes to the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development by providing its strong parliamentary perspective, and underlined the importance of fostering international co-operation on pressing challenges. This, he said, is essential to ensure that the concerns of citizens are heard and addressed at the highest levels of decision-making.
Guliyev also highlighted the impact of climate change on environmental degradation and public health across the Mediterranean basin, stressing the need to redouble efforts to meet Paris Agreement commitments by drastically curbing greenhouse gas emissions, better preparing costal communities, fully engaging in climate finance and increasing co-operation across the board. In this sense, he noted, the Barcelona Convention represents a significant step in the right direction.
The COP 23 is taking place on 5-8 December, convening concurrently with the UN Climate Change Convention in Dubai. The Barcelona Convention serves as an example of how to translate global environment and sustainability commitments into regional legal instruments and action, providing guidelines to assess and control marine pollution, ensure sustainable management of natural marine and coastal resources, integrate the environment in social and economic development, and protect the marine environment through the reduction of pollution.
