Azerbaijan poised to become middle power in multipolar world ahead of COP29 – opinion

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 4. Azerbaijan is positioned to become a middle power in a multipolar world as COP29 approaches, wrote Harvey Dzodin, senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization and political commentator, in his article for the South China Morning Post, Trend reports.

“The UN climate conference will shine a spotlight on the major oil producer’s energy transition, peace efforts with Armenia, and geocritical location. COP29, the UN climate change conference, convenes in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, from November 11-22. Compared to the COP28 host, the UAE, less is known about Azerbaijan – but that is about to change. The South Caucasus country bridging Eastern Europe and Western Asia is poised to be a middle power in a multipolar world,” the article reads.

The author noted that Azerbaijan has been fortifying relations with Asian countries, especially China, as part of its strategy to diversify partnerships and enhance its economic and geopolitical position.

“In early July, Azerbaijan and China signed a strategic partnership declaration encompassing economic, political, and cultural cooperation. Azerbaijan is also an active participant in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It is a key component of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor, which roughly traces the ancient Silk Road from China to Europe across Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, and the Caucasus into Türkiye. This corridor promises superior supply chain connectivity between China, Central Asia, and Europe, bypassing Iran and Russia. It can offer shorter travel times and more diverse trade paths. By 2040, its freight volume is predicted to quadruple,” he added.

Harvey Dzodin also pointed out that COP29 has already helped to produce a win-win outcome in the peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“Last December, Armenia agreed not to block Azerbaijan’s bid to host Cop29 in exchange for Azerbaijan backing Armenia’s membership in the COP Eastern European Group. They also agreed to swap detainees and said that “the two countries reconfirm their intention to normalize relations and to reach a peace treaty on the basis of respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity”. Azerbaijan has officially invited Armenia to participate in COP29. Both sides have achieved breakthroughs through bilateral negotiations, for example by agreeing to demarcate parts of their border for the first time. At the recent BRICS meeting in Kazan, Russia, both leaders met on the sidelines to reaffirm their commitment to concluding a peace treaty as soon as possible,” he wrote.