On December 14, 2025, Azerbaijan and Kenya reaffirmed their expanded cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable urban development during diplomatic activities in Nairobi after the conclusion of the Seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7). The conference, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, brought together government officials, diplomats, Kenyan media and sustainability stakeholders to reflect on global environmental efforts and outline areas for deepening bilateral cooperation.
A key figure in the engagement was Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Umayra Taghiyeva, whose visit highlighted Baku’s increasing commitment to multilateral environmental governance and partnerships with African countries. The discussions took place in the backdrop of UNEA-7, which convened representatives of 186 countries in Nairobi and adopted a series of resolutions on climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and sustainable resource management.
Related article: UNEP names five climate change leaders as 2025 ‘Champions of the Earth’
The reception in Nairobi marked a key moment in expanding ties between the two countries, which face similar development pressures. Like much of Africa, Kenya is balancing rapid urban growth, climate vulnerability and infrastructure deficiencies, while Azerbaijan is establishing itself as the new convener on global climate and urban issues after COP29 in November 2024.
During the discussion, Azerbaijan highlighted its priorities regarding climate change resilience, renewable energy deployment, water management, environmental innovation and sustainable cities. These themes closely reflect Kenya’s own development challenges, particularly in the face of increasing climate change risks such as prolonged drought, flooding and pressure on urban infrastructure in cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
Kenya’s urban population has increased from just under 20 percent in the early 1990s to more than 30 percent today, and is expected to continue accelerating. This growth puts strain on housing supply, transport systems, water services and waste management, making sustainable urban planning a central policy issue. Similar pressures are evident across Africa, where the United Nations estimates that cities will absorb nearly 80% of population growth over the next 25 years.
The efforts in Nairobi also had an eye on the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to be held in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026. Co-hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat, the forum will focus on housing, resilient cities and inclusive urban development. For African countries, WUF13 is expected to provide a platform to address persistent challenges around informal settlements, infrastructure financing, and climate-resilient urban design.
Also read: Gambia aims for universal electricity access by 2026 through regional electricity and gas links
Africa is home to more than half of the world’s informal urban population, with more than 230 million people living in informal settlements. In Kenya alone, informal housing accounts for more than 60 percent of Nairobi’s residential areas and often lacks access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and reliable energy. The upcoming forum is therefore seen as a timely opportunity for African policymakers to shape the global dialogue on urban equity and resilience.
Sultan Hajiyev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat, said his country’s recent hosting of COP29, active participation in UNEA-7, and upcoming role as host of WUF13 reflect a deliberate strategy to engage more deeply in global environmental and urban governance. He said these platforms are closely aligned with Kenya’s priorities, particularly in climate adaptation, sustainable urban planning and inclusive development.
This bilateral engagement also pointed to practical areas of cooperation that go beyond diplomacy. Knowledge exchange on renewable energy integration, urban water systems and climate resilient infrastructure were highlighted as common interests. Kenya has rapidly expanded its renewable energy capacity over the past decade, with geothermal, wind and solar now accounting for more than 90% of installed electricity, and Azerbaijan is investing in energy diversification and green infrastructure as part of its post-oil transition strategy.
Environmental financing was also an implicit thread in the discussion. African countries face an estimated annual climate finance gap of more than $200 billion, making cities some of the most underfunded regions despite being on the front lines of climate change. Partnerships that link policy dialogue and practical financing mechanisms are increasingly seen as essential for linking global efforts to local outcomes.
Although the engagement in Nairobi did not result in a formal agreement, it reinforced a pattern of growth in South-South cooperation centered around shared development realities rather than donor-recipient power relations. As multilateral processes continue to frame environmental policy, bilateral relationships like those between Azerbaijan and Kenya are becoming important channels for translating global challenges into locally relevant actions.
Also read: Ethiopia and Nigeria launch rail-based LNG corridor to expand energy access and reduce deforestation across Africa
For Africa, the importance of such initiatives lies less in the diplomatic symbolism and more in the opportunities they create for policy learning, technical cooperation and collaborative approaches to sustainability challenges. As climate risks intensify and urban populations grow, partnerships that bridge regions and experiences could prove as important as world summits in shaping practical on-the-ground solutions.
Connect with us on LinkedIn: Sustainability in Africa matters
