Azerbaijan is represented in the first ministerial meeting of the World Fusion Energy Group
The first ministerial conference of the World Fusion Energy Group (WFEG) is occurring in Rome with bilateral sponsorship by Italy and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The conference, which takes place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, assembles state government officials, representatives of state institutions, and the private sector. Azerbaijan involved at the conference with Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov.
Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Antonio Tajani, Italy's Minister of Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi participated in the event. The development of fusion energy worldwide was being discussed.
During the event, Energy Minister of Azerbaijan Parviz Shahbazov highlighted that nuclear energy contributes significantly to the world's transition to energy as clean, secure, and stable energy due to its efficiency rate, mass electricity production with minimal resources, and low carbon output. He also observed that right now, upgrading security standards, safe disposal of nuclear waste, funding, and enhancing people's trust in this form of energy are key issues that are preventing the expansion of nuclear energy. He also underscored the international endeavors of the IAEA for nuclear energy's peaceful, safe, and sustainable development and the "Atoms4NetZero" strategy to enhance the role of nuclear power as well as renewable energy towards the formation of a net zero society.
Parviz Shahbazov also said that Azerbaijan, having long been a trustworthy partner in terms of ensuring energy security, is initiating mega projects to raise the ratio of the use of renewable energy in the production capacity of electricity to 35.5% by 2030 and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2.8 million tons. He also referred to the nation's contribution to a grand green energy revolution through the development of green energy corridors running from the Caspian and Central Asia to Europe.
The Minister said the following:
"Azerbaijan stands for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and will, in particular, ensure that COP29, following on from it, in the wake of COP28 and the Nuclear Energy Summit, becomes an even more special platform that reiterates and re-emphasizes the need for nuclear energy in climate change combat. The COP29 Presidency agenda, which enshrines Azerbaijan's determination to be a green growth nation, has green energy programs and national pledges to revise targets under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) platform with emphasis placed on the utilization of all sources of clean energy. On this subject, in our view, nuclear power, such as small modular reactors, can be among the energy transition building blocks of our future energy policy. Azerbaijan is committed to the fulfillment of its international responsibilities in this field and is prepared to cooperate with the IAEA to introduce new technologies in the energy sector through the application of modern practices".
