Fatih Birol: Azerbaijan, by increasing gas supplies to Europe, once again confirmed its status as reliable partner

By increasing gas supplies at the most difficult moment for Europe, Azerbaijan has once again demonstrated its role as a reliable partner both for the EU and beyond, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol told Report.

"Yesterday we held a very important meeting in Brussels on COP30 with the participation of COP 29 President Mukhtar Babayev, where, among other things, we discussed the achievements of COP29 and expectations from COP30," Birol said.

According to him, all participants of the COP30 - IEA High-Level Energy Transition Dialogue highly appreciated Azerbaijan's efforts at the climate conference held in Baku last year.

"Today, the Global Conference on Energy Efficiency began here in Brussels with the participation of representatives from about 100 countries and several ministers, CEOs and companies. I am very pleased that the speakers included Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, who emphasized the critical importance of Azerbaijan in global and regional energy markets. I would like to personally thank Azerbaijan for once again confirming its status as a reliable energy supplier and partner for both the EU and beyond by increasing gas exports in difficult times for Europe," Birol said.

Speaking at the 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, Birol emphasized that energy efficiency plays a key role in both ensuring energy security and in combating the climate crisis.

According to him, in recent years there has been a sharp increase in demand for electricity, the main driver of which has been the increasing use of air conditioners against the backdrop of global warming. He noted that the example given clearly demonstrates that only by making air conditioners energy efficient and extending this approach to other areas can many problems be solved.

"Problems in the field of energy efficiency are much easier to solve than in any other part of the energy system. If we increased the efficiency of air conditioners, we would consume less energy, citizens would spend less money, and emissions would decrease," Birol noted. He added that the IEA works with all types of fuel, with all technologies.

"Why do we attach such importance to energy efficiency? Because we consider it the 'first fuel.' Before oil, gas, solar and wind energy, hydro and nuclear energy - energy efficiency comes first. And every country has significant potential in this area," he said.