Baku: On November 18, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Surangel Whipps, President of the Republic of Palau, APA reports. This meeting marked the first high-level interaction between the two countries’ leaders, setting a precedent for future diplomatic relations.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Surangel Whipps expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s hospitality and for the organization of COP29. He appreciated the opportunity to learn about Azerbaijan’s culture and expressed hope for enhanced bilateral relations. The President of Palau emphasized the importance of addressing climate change challenges, particularly those faced by small island states, and thanked Azerbaijan for prioritizing these issues during its COP29 Presidency.

President Ilham Aliyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s initiatives during its Presidency, including a dedicated summit on climate challenges for small island states. He mentioned Azerbaijan’s collaboration with the Commonwealth to support these s
tates, including creating a database system and utilizing Azerbaijan’s space capabilities. Additionally, President Aliyev noted significant progress on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund during COP29 in Baku.

The meeting concluded with the President of Palau presenting keepsakes to President Ilham Aliyev, symbolizing the goodwill and mutual respect between the two nations.