The International Forum on Carbon Pricing started its activity in Baku on September 25. More than 40 senior tax officials from IOTA member countries, representatives of international organizations such as United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund, European Commission, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), Asian Development Bank (AİB) and business leaders participate at the event organized jointly by Intra-European Organization of Tax Administrations (IOTA) and the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy. The two-day International Forum will discuss carbon pricing mechanisms, international experience and new approaches related to their application.
Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Orkhan Nazarli, Head of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy, and Mrs. Margaret Cotton, an official of the International Monetary Fund, made a speech at the opening ceremony of the event.
Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov stated that the Baku International Forum on Carbon Pricing coincides with an important period, that our country will host a prestigious event such as the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), and that the agenda of the Forum is to evaluate the role of fiscal instruments in the decarbonization process. The Minister noted that it is an effective and pleasant opportunity to hold discussions on the subject with the representatives of the prestigious international organizations and the member countries of IOTA. The Minister mentioned that the Forum is one of the platforms that contribute to the initiatives towards the realization of the priorities of the clean environment agenda, which is necessary on a global scale, and creates an opportunity to lay the foundations of new approaches.
The head of the State Tax Service under the Ministry of Economy, Orkhan Nazarli, called the holding of the International Forum on Carbon Pricing a very important event before hosting the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change - COP29, which is a platform for discussing the new realities created by the fight against climate change. He noted that the forum created an opportunity to explore new ways for a fair approach, share best practices and promote cooperation. Orkhan Nazarli stated that climate change is becoming increasingly widespread and relevant on the international agenda. Because this is a problem faced by not only one country, but all the countries of the world. For this reason, carbon pricing, which is one of the most effective tools for combating global climate change, is an important tool that mobilizes economic actors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainable development.
It was stated that joint initiatives are very important in this process, that is, the government, civil society, private sector, international organizations and countries should work in a joint format. Only then will it be possible to succeed in the fight against climate change and create a more sustainable and green world for future generations.
The official of the International Monetary Fund, Mrs. Margaret Cotton, noted that the implementation of the carbon tax is on the agenda of the world, and informed about the achievements and difficulties in this process.
The forum is keeping on with sessions.
