National Initiative Group Meeting in Azerbaijan

National Initiative Group of Azerbaijan gathered on June 23, 2021, the meeting's primary purpose was to discuss cooperation mechanisms and joint systemic actions to strengthen collaboration between the academics and practitioners to eliminate existing challenges for sustainable development of the Caucasus mountain region.
Participants expressed their condolences and gratitude to the chairman of the NIG Azerbaijan, academician Mr. Ramiz  Mahmud oglu Mammadov, who passed away at the beginning of June. From the very beginning, he was a valued member and supporter of the Scientific Network of Caucasus Mountain Region (SNC-mt), respected and admired for his enduring commitment and outstanding contributions.
Representatives of the scientific, non-governmental,  international organisations as well private sectors and executive bodies attended the meeting. 
The meeting started with the election of new co-chairmen of the National Initiative Group of Azerbaijan Mr. Islam Mustafaev, Director of the Institute of Radiation Problems of  Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.
The first presentation was made by Sustainable Caucasus country representative Mr. Fuad Bagirov, he informed participants about the Caucasus Network for Sustainable Development of Mountain Region - Sustainable Caucasus ongoing activities, National Initiative Group work, and about recently released two policy briefs: Assessment of natural risks for the calculation of insurance tariffs in the Caucasus mountain region and  Danger of loss of chestnut tree in the Caucasus mountains.  The participants discussed the next steps and methods of advocacy of the position reflected in the Policy Briefs.
Expert Aytan Poladova made a presentation on the problems of Global Climate change and related projects in Azerbaijan. Another presentation was devoted to the issues of energy efficiency of buildings and the application of the energy modeling method was made by Fuad Bagirov.
Chingiz Mammadov UNDP representative initiated the creation of a round table with the participation of decision-makers, at the level of ministers and deputy ministers for the adoption of a public energy audit program for buildings.
Parliamentary expert  Shamil Huseynov noted the low social awareness of energy savings. Another interesting proposition was made by the representatives of the University of Engineering and the University of Economics, to support energy-efficient projects from the point of view of engineering and economic expertise.
The meeting was held in the framework of the project "Strengthening the Climate Adaptation Capacities in the South Caucasus" (SCAC) funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).